Chapter twelve

Spoken for

Guy held his breath as another set of footsteps passed by the chambers. He frowned at Robin. "Are you sure about this?"

Robin groaned. "Don't argue with me. She'll come." The door creaked open and he had his sword raised in case a guard came in. a lady came in and shut the door. Robin came out from behind the curtain. "Meg?"

Guy frowned. The lady spun around and he stared. It was Meg! Not the Meg he was used to seeing. This Meg looked every inch a lady. Her curls had been tamed and she wore a deep green dress that clung to her figure, which was much curvier than he remember it.

Meg exhaled and walked up to them, the skirt swaying with every step. "Oh, thank goodness it's you two, I almost screamed. You two must get my father to safety."

"Why? What's the matter?"

"Nothing yet." She exhaled and smirked. "I'm to be prince john's wife."

Those words just about made him pass out. Robin's eyes bulged. "What?"

"Or so he thinks." She groaned and attacked the pins in her hair. "Oh, that weasel!"

"Leave it." He said.

She paused. "Leave what?"

"Your hair…it looks…nice."

She frowned. "In your book Gisbourne, that means lovely."

"Not now you two." Robin said. "We've got to get you out of here."

"Listen," she said. "I will not have my father in danger. You must have him out of harms way before I escape. If not, the soldiers will go straight for my father when I jilt the prince, they'll use him to get to me. After I've escaped, they'll bring every soldier down until they find me."

Robin nodded. "So, we need a plan then."

Meg nodded. "I have the prince's eye. I can twist him as I see fit. Possibly get him to reduce sentences or such."

"And what will his reward be?" Guy asked as a strange flame burned in his stomach. "He will not do such things without a price."

Meg studied him for a moment. "You know me Guy. He will not have me without a fight. Guy, are you jealous?"

"I am not." He snapped.

Meg nodded. "Yes Guy, you are jealous. Jealous of what you cannot have yet?"

"Possibly."

Meg noticed Robin walk a short distance and turn his back to them, as if giving them some privacy. Meg turned back to Guy; his eyes were still studying her. "What?" she asked. "You keep staring at me as if you're…memorizing me."

"Maybe I am." He stepped forward and added in a lower voice. "I want you to come away. With me. Now."

Meg shook her head, "I cannot." She cut him off. "And if you think I enjoy the attentions of the prince, you're wrong. I cannot stand him."

"Like you cannot stand me?" He asked.

Meg groaned. "Guy, I told you many times, you're the only man I can stand."

"Even when we're at each other's throats?" He glanced at her neckline and she shifted a little. "Even when I want to wring your silly head of its shoulder's?"

Meg nodded as she held his gaze. "Even then Guy." She exhaled. "I do care for you Guy, in time, you could possibly even care for me a little."

"I do care Meg," her heart stopped at his declaration. "I do."

She smiled. "And I'm glad to have that friendship."

"What is it about me that every woman want's my friendship?" He exhaled. "All right, you're right, I am jealous. Though...I don't really know why."

Meg's spirit faltered a little. "Maybe, in time, you'll know. And if you want more than friendship, when your heart is ready for it, you'll know."

"Guy," Robin said. "We have to go. Someone's coming."

Robin went for the window and Guy followed him. She went to the window, to close the shutters behind them. Robin went out first and Guy spun on his heel, pulled her close for a quick kiss.

She scowled and gave him a shove. "Don't you dare try that again Guy of Gisbourne!"

"Sorry." He said with a smirk as he swung out the window. "Couldn't resist it."

"Don't apologize." She hissed as the footsteps stopped at the doorway. "Get out! I don't want you hurt." She closed the shutters just as the door opened. She spun around. "Isabella."

Guy held his breath as he strained to hear Meg's voice. "Opening the window." Meg said as she pushed them open again. "It's really stifling in here."

"You witch." Isabella said. "What game are you playing?"

Meg's voice had a tinge of amusement. "Aren't you overstepping your bounds now sheriff? I advise you to leave my quarters. I have the eye of the king, and I wouldn't want to have to report anything unsavory."

"Little fool," Meg cried out as if she were being hurt. He wanted to see, but he couldn't. Robin kept a firm on him to keep him from strangling his own sister.

"Why do you care?" Meg asked. "You have your fortune, I have to take mine where I see fit."

"And you saw Guy as a potential fortune maker?"

Meg snorted. "That…was purely…physical attraction." Guy felt sick at the tone she used when she laughed. "Your brother…does have a body to die for."

Guy could just imagine Isabella walking around Meg, studying her. "I'd almost believe you."

"Guy...was a temporary infatuation. Believe me, his kisses make you long...for a real man."

"Whoa, does she have a tongue on her." Robin snickered.

"Shut up." He hissed back.

"I still don't believe you."

"Believe what you will Isabella. Now, get out of my chambers before I tell the prince of this intrusion. Now."

The sound of footsteps faded and the door slammed. "Beast." Meg said. He heard the bolt click in place. She walked over to the window and exhaled. She turned and looked at him and robin leaning against the wall. "What are you two still doing there?"

"We didn't establish a place or time of meeting." Robin said.

Meg shook her head, "I'll see you all at the camp. I think I can get away."

"Make sure you're not being followed." Robin said.

She nodded. "Agreed." She smirked at Guy. "And don't you believe a word of what I say to Isabella. The woman is vicious and I'll have her eating out of my hand in no time." She frowned. "Will the two of you take off?"

"Right." Robin said. "Come on Guy."

He nodded but edged forward to Meg. "Be careful."

She smiled, "I think-you're the one who better be careful Guy." She held out her hand and gripped his. "So be careful."

Guy squeezed her hand. "You too."

Someone knocked on the door. "Maiden Meg?" Oh, she knew that voice!

Meg gasped. "The prince!" she turned her back to him. "Untie me." Guy's mouth dropped. "Untie me quickly!" she hissed. Guy yanked at the ties of her dress and it fell around her shoulders. "Just a minute your majesty!"

Meg was about to go for her robe when Guy grabbed her by the shoulder. She frowned as he pulled her close and hissed. "He make any advances towards you…and he looses….his head."

Meg rolled her eyes and she stepped out of the dress. "Go."

He pulled her close and growled. "You….are…spoken…for. remember that."

He kissed her, burying his face deep into her collarbone. Meg let out a stifled gasp and cry at the feel of his lips on her bare skin. The feelings assaulting her senses let her know that things had jumped to an entirlely new level. Meg pulled free, grabbed the robe on her bed and pulled it on over her shoulders. She tied it hastily around her waist and opened the door with a smile.

"Your highness." She gathered the robe around her tighter. "Forgive me but, you caught me at a bad time."

"Oh forgive me. I just was going to tell you…I am throwing a banquet in your honor tomorrow."

She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck cringing inwardly. "Oh your highness, that's dreadfully kind of you." She then acted as if she were unaware of her actions. "Oh forgive me. Your highness, this really isn't proper. People will talk." She squealed and shifted her shoulders. "I'm sorry, but, I'm just so excited."

The prince looked as if a lightning bolt had struck him dumb. "Well…I-I well... goodnight."

She dipped her head. "Goodnight." She then closed the door and exhaled. She then decided to look for the water pitcher and scrub herself of the prince's touch she'd experienced earlier.

You are spoken for. Remember that.

Guy's words echoed in her ear and could only wonder about what he meant. He could have said, "you're mine' which would have pointed out a more direct way how he felt about her, but he hadn't. She smiled, she wouldn't mind being spoken for by Guy. But it depended on what side of Guy was asking her and…if she would even consider allowing Guy to court her.

Bah! Ridiculous! She was letting her head run away with itself again. She had to focus on the task at hand and make certain her father was safe. Then she could focus on helping Robin Hood and then, getting as far away from the prince as possible.