Author's Note: Sorry about the delay, things got a little crazy at the university lol. There will probably be several more chapters of increasing insanity. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!
Chapter 7
KNIGHTON
The shadows were getting longer and the sun was lower in the sky. Marian expected Guy at any minute. She had just finished dressing for the evening. She decided to wear a long, simple green dress that just barely revealed her shoulders. Her mind wandered as she brushed her hair—she kept thinking of the Sheriff's strange conversation. A light rap at her window immediately captured her attention.
"Robin…did you get Djaq?" She said as she knelt down by the window. Robin was clearly in a hurry.
"No. Sir Guy isn't here yet is he?"
"No, what happened?"
"I have no time to explain, but I have to ask you to do something for Djaq."
"Name it." Robin was impressed with Marian's courage.
"You're not going to believe me, but Gisborne is going to try to drug you tonight…with a love potion."
"A what?" Marian tried to sound amused, but the Sheriff's peculiar remarks earlier in the day had prepared her for something of the kind.
"I've seen it work. But that's not the point. Much and I have switched it." Marian looked confused, Robin continued his explanation—it clearly pained him to finish his request: "You need to pretend that it works. Djaq's life hangs in the balance." They both heard a horse arrive in the courtyard. "Marian, I have to go." Before he slid away, Robin added, "Just don't overplay it." Marian did not like being given orders, but there was little time to make a rebuttal. She heard voices in the dining room. It was time to make her entrance.
She strode quickly, but smoothly down the stairs. He father smiled up at her; Guy stared in obvious admiration. Marian was keenly aware of his piercing blue eyes. In a different world, his favor might have brought her pleasure, but, under the circumstances, she could only think of her distaste for her admirer. Nevertheless, she was flattered, though she would never own it to herself.
"Lady Marian," Guy said with a slight bow, "You look …beautiful".
"I thank you Sir Guy," she replied cordially. Guy began to offer her his arm, but Marian quickly took her father's instead. Guy ignored the slight. The small party moved toward the table. Marian took a seat across from Guy, her father sat at the head of the table. The meal was a light summer one consisting largely of cold meat, cheese, fruit and bread.
"Sir Guy," Edward began, "has your arm mended?"
"It is fine, thank you."
"I'm glad to hear it; a close friend of mind once took a fever from a wound like that." Edward finished.
"Yes, I have a good physician. I do appreciate your concern." Guy took a drink of his wine. He wished to dispel thoughts of Nottingham's special guest. He found it strange and wholly unpleasant how completely he Saracen woman had affected his conscience.
"Guy, you really should be more careful. Nottingham would be very boring without you." Marian said with a slight smile. Guy wasn't sure how he should take the comment.
"You need to find yourself a wife, Sir Guy. She would take better care of you." Edward said as he sliced more bread. Marian was a little agitated by her father's choice of subject.
"Very true. It is one of my chief aims." Guy said as he looked directly at Marian.
Much to Marian's delight, the subjects of conversation wandered to less charged topics such as horses and agriculture. After an hour or more, the maid came and removed the remaining plates and brought the apple tart Marian had baked herself. Marian stood and served her father and Guy a piece. Just as she sat back down, Guy spoke.
"You've gone through all this trouble for me, Marian, he said as he rose from his chair. "I thought I would do something for you." He walked to the sideboard where an unfamiliar bottle of wine stood. "It is imported from France."
"Sir Guy, you shouldn't--
"Marian, it is the least I can do to thank my beautiful hostess." Edward was disturbed by the slightly more passionate tone Guy was using with his daughter. Guy returned to the table and first poured Edward a glass. Marian watched him closely. He came to Marian's glass. He stood behind her chair—his wide shoulders partially eclipsed the remaining rays of light shimmering through the window. He took Marian's glass and drew it out of her sight. When he replaced her glass she noticed that the color was slightly different from that in her father's glass. Was he really trying to drug her? She had to take a chance and trust Robin. She took a full drink from the cup. Guy watched her intently.
Marian had no idea how quickly such a potion was supposed to act, but she felt no change. It was just starting to get dark. Marian could see that Guy was getting anxious; he was clearly waiting for it to work. She had to do something.
"Sir Guy," she said as she looked straight into his eyes. It seems so pleasant out." Edward interrupted.
"Yes, a perfect summer evening."
"I think I shall take a walk." Marian said. Before she rose, Guy entreated her.
"May I accompany you?"
"Of course," she said, as though that was her intent all along. Edward started to follow the two. Marian looked back at him—a look that communicated clearly that she would like to be alone. Edward understood, but was, for the first time, genuinely concerned about her being alone with Sir Guy. She wasn't acting like herself.
Marian leaned on Guy's arm. He was clearly enjoying his burden. "Guy, it's strange, I've never felt so—
"Comfortable?" Marian laughed a little.
"I was thinking happy" Guy looked at her with a puzzled, but pleased expression. She stopped him. "I can see that you are confused. It's more than just "happy". Maybe it is this beautiful evening, but, being here with you, makes my heart…"she moved her hand to his shoulder, "pound". He took her hand gently and drew it to his lips.
"Marian," he said, still holding her hand, "you don't know how happy this makes me." He kissed her fingers tenderly. Marian felt a pang of guilt, but quickly remembered that this man had just attempted to drug her.
"I'm glad, Sir Guy, that you feel the same." She hated herself for enjoying the manipulation, but she was angry. "I've never met a man as powerful, as talented, as attractive as you."
"What about Robin Hood? He once stirred your heart."
"Why would I want that boy, when I can have a man?" Guy smiled at her. That's exactly the sort of thing he had hoped to hear.
"Marian…" She slipped her hand out of his, and clasped Guy's other hand. She imitated his gesture and drew his hand to her lips. Before she kissed it, she thought of the things she knew he had done, things she had seen him do. He was a killer, a cold blooded killer and she was going to kiss his hand. Tears threatened to fill her eyes, but she mastered them. If anything,
the momentary hesitation only made her false kiss more fervent. She looked back into his eyes. She half expected him to propose, but he only leaned closer. He clearly assumed she meant to shower him with greater affections.
"Marian!" Edward shouted from the courtyard. Guy was obviously annoyed.
"I'm coming father. Guy, I apologize, but I must return to my father. His eyesight isn't as sharp as it once was, so he relies on me to read to him."
"Of course."
"Will you be in Nottingham in the morning?"
"Yes, as usual."
"May I come call on you?"
"Nothing could make me happier." It was clear Marian's father was not interested in allowing them to continue their conversation, so Guy began to make his way toward the stables. She held his hand.
"Guy, don't keep me waiting." He smiled.
"I would never wish to be guilty of that." Guy replied. Marian walked back towards the courtyard; Edward was still standing in the doorway.
"Marian, is everything all right?"
"Of course, father. Why wouldn't it be?"
"Gisborne wasn't giving you any trouble?"
"No. It was just a friendly conversation." Edward frowned. He found it very difficult to guide Marian in matters of romance. It was at times like this that he missed his deceased wife the most.
"Please, be careful. If you have feelings for Sir Guy you should—
"Father, you do not understand."
"I understand what I saw Marian." Marian was angry at herself for behaving in the manner she did, but it was necessary and she knew her father wouldn't be able to understand it. He could accept her martial nature, he could accept that she fought, but she knew he would never be able to accept the way she used her "feminine charms".
"Perhaps I was too free, father, I will be more prudent in the future." She squeezed past him and climbed the stairs to her room. She prayed that her playacting had bought Djaq some time.
To Be Continued
