The next morning found Marian shivering behind her father's chair in the bitter cold Great Hall of Nottingham Castle, awaiting the arrival of the Sheriff, to take part in the Council of Nobles. When her father had requested a fire, he was told the new Sheriff was economizing, and no fires would be lit until he, Vaisey himself, arrived.
Marian worried about Sir Lawrence, who seemed to be shaking rather violently. He was still faint from his recent wound, and the freezing air did not help matters. She removed her own cloak and approached him, as he sat shivering in his chair. He had a greater need than she.
"Sir Lawrence? Here," she said, placing her cloak around his shoulders. "I hope you are feeling better today."
"Marian? Ah! You must not give me your cloak, milady! Please, you are cold, as well. The Sheriff will be along shortly, and we will all be warmed by a fire then. I insist, Marian. Do not make me beg, I implore you."
She patted his shoulder kindly, then covered herself in her cloak once more. She would not steal his dignity.
As she returned to her place, she noticed Martin's woeful eyes pleading with her to forgive him. She sighed in exasperation. Suddenly, she found him such a nuisance! Well, she had only herself to blame for his unwanted attentions. Herself...and Him.
It was all His fault she had kissed Martin in the first place! She realized she had wronged Martin by using him to try and forget someone else, someone thousands of miles from her, yet still invading her thoughts and affecting her behavior! She cursed Him in her heart, and vowed again to forget Him, once and for all. She would stay away from men and devote herself to the needs of the people of Nottinghamshire now. Heaven only knew how much they would need help, under the new regime!
Trumpets blared, announcing the arrival of the Sheriff. Of course, he was accompanied by his constant companion, Guy of Gisbourne. A nervous boy ran ahead with a torch, setting ablaze the fuel in the fireplaces. It wouldn't be long until the chill in the chamber was replaced by inviting warmth, in spite of the arrival of the Sheriff and his menacing shadow.
Marian raised her eyebrows in disapproval at the Sheriff's attire. No longer completely dressed in black, the Sheriff wore a ermine cap and collar! How dare he? Ermine was strictly reserved for those of royal lineage! Robin was the only man in the shire who could boast a pedigree lofty enough to wear it! But here was Vaisey, a man of unknown, questionable origin, proudly decked out in it! It was outrageous!
"Lords, ladies," the Sheriff began, "I have heard reports that some of you have expressed dissatisfaction with my calling this session of the Council of Nobles, so close to Christmas! Do you think I care what day it is? A clue...no! I do not care that tomorrow is Adam and Eve Day, the day preceeding Christmas! I do not care that you plan to tie apples onto your trees tomorrow, to celebrate! Go ahead...waste your time with your little games! Waste your apples! Just don't waste MY MONEY!"
Once again, Marian was struck by the thought that this ugly, screaming little man was thoroughly mad.
He stood and strutted from one seated noble to another, bending slightly to peer into their faces as he passed. Gisbourne remained immoveable behind the Sheriff's chair, arms folded across his chest. Only his eyes moved, taking everything in, daring anyone to make a move against the Sheriff.
"And speaking of money," the Sheriff continued, "I am saddened...no, disheartened by the sorry state of Nottingham's coffers! My friends, how do you expect to finance our King's glorious Crusade, with so little money? Haven't you heard? King Richard's troops are starving! Do we want our young heroes dropping dead from starvation? A clue...no! But don't let me convince you! I have invited a special guest here today...a noble knight just returned from serving in the King's Elite Private Guard! He is here, after risking his very life in battle upon battle, to implore you to give...so, give generously! My friends, I give you, a person you all know and love...I give you, my friends, Sir Robert, Earl of-"
Marian gasped and gripped the back of her father's chair-
"Spencer!"
Sir Robert, Earl of Spencer, strode boldly down the stairs to begin his speech. Marian tuned out his pleas for money as she attempted to quiet her pounding heart. What he said was impersonal...unspecific. But she would find a way to speak to him in private, the moment the Council was dismissed.
He had come directly from the Holy Land! He'd served in the King's Elite Private Guard, directly under Robin! He must have seen him, spoken with him, dined with him, fought alongside him! She couldn't wait for the Council to end!
As the nobility emptied their purses into the open chest on the Sheriff's table, Spencer turned and gave the Sheriff a knowing look. "What did I tell you?" he asked quietly. "People are always ready to part with their money at Christmas. It'll be harder, come February. That's when you'll really need me."
"Oh! This is good! This is good!" the Sheriff crowed, counting the money in his head as it dropped into his chest. But he didn't need anyone to raise money. All he needed were those with money, so he could take it away by any means possible. Still, it didn't hurt to forge alliances.
"Remind me again," he said, "why you're here?"
"King Richard sent me home to recover from my war wounds."
"No, no...not the 'official' reason. I want the real reason."
"Richard finally had enough. He kept having to send Locksley to pull me out of the whore houses. Too many excellent brothels in Acre, My lord. Believe me, you haven't tasted sin until you've dwelt in the brothels of Outremer."
"Yes, well, some of us like our sin a different flavor. Isn't that right, Gisbourne, hmm?"
Sir Guy only cringed in disgust.
"You don't care for the exotic women of the East?" Spencer wondered.
"That's the 'official' story."
Spencer was confused, until he noticed Marian. "Say," he said, fascinated and wetting his lips, "who is that?"
"Oh, just some leper. Now, why don't you come with me and show me your wound, hmm?"