Duchess

Part 14

I do not own Robin Hood

4/5/09

A Great Shock.

Isabella knocked on Jane's door. She opened it and then slammed the door in her face, almost undecided what she wanted to do with her. She had to think fast and her eyes darted around the room. Isabella winced and knew that she had figured out what had happened. She stupidly let herself in regardless and Jane glared at her. Isabella closed the door and stood against it.

"Jane please..." She began.

"I have ordered your instant removal from this castle. You caused this and ruined my wedding for the second time. Once is forgivable. Twice makes me angry, as for it being responsible for almost causing my father's death and therefore all of Nottingham's." Added Jane.

"Please. I had no idea. It was Guy I was getting back at. Not you. You have to believe me. I have never really meant you any harm. Not after the mercy you showed me." Begged Isabella.

"That is were we differ, but I am merciful. I shall give you the chance and the choice. You can leave of your own accord and never come back, or I can send for the guards and tell them all to kill you if you so much as step near the castle in the future. What will it be?" Asked Jane.

"Jane please, I'll have nowhere to go. If Guy finds me..." Began Isabella.

Jane regarded Isabella with a look that made it clear that if Guy found her, he would be nothing compared to what she wanted to do to her. Although she had a feeling that Guy would be angry, just as he was back in the Holy Land. Jane could see it and felt that she owed Guy the right to choose how to deal with his own sister after she had ruined both of their lives.

"You make your decision. Let me make it clear how little your life and problems mean to me, now that you betrayed me and all of Nottingham. As for Guy, there's only one man who will protect you from him, if I were you I'd head for Shrewsberry. GUARDS! Take her out of the castle and if she so much as comes near the castle again, I want her killed. That will be all. Good night, don't let the outlaws bite." Added Jane.

The guards did as they were told, as Isabella protested. Jane rolled her eyes and closed the door behind her with a snap, then watched her leave from the window, knowing that she had no choice but to go back to Squire Thornton, which meant the return of what she felt was some well-earned money. Part of Jane felt that she had been lenient, yet another felt as though she had been quite cruel, yet the latter didn't bother her so much as it would have done once before. Isabella looked back at the castle, before she fled into the night.

****************

Meanwhile Guy was running at a great speed and distance. After so far, he stole a horse and badly assaulted the previous owner. He travelled for a couple more days and then walked the rest of his journey. Guy was in London. He got as far as the palace gates and put his hands up, where he was promptly arrested and put before Prince John, who stood up in amazement when he heard that Guy was there of his own free will.

"You beg for death Gisborne?" He asked.

"I beg first for your council Your Highness. A terrible thing has happened, a terrible chain of events. It concerns Jane, Duchess of London." Replied Guy.

Prince John ordered for a chair for Guy. He sat down and began to confess his sins, as though The Prince were a Priest. Prince John raised an eyebrow a few times as the story continued. At one point he stood up angrily and struck Guy in the face, who was starting to get used to it and the shock that came with it.

"You fool! Death is clearly your friend, yet at least now Jane has no positive feelings towards you. However how can I punish her and you?" He asked himself.

Back in Nottingham, The Sheriff was still alive but not fit enough to go back to work. Jane and Lord Bedfordshire paid him a visit to keep him up to date.

"Well?" He asked.

"I'm putting all my efforts into getting the outlaws, but I regret to inform you that Gisborne is nowhere to be found, although it is highly believed that he has been removed from Hood's side." Replied Lord Bedfordshire.

"He can't be that hard to find. I question your efforts Bedfordshire. Gisborne is alone and friendless, yet he still manages to outwit you! Jane!" Snapped The Sheriff.

Jane stepped forward.

"Father." She said.

"Join the search. If he sees you he's sure to want to defend himself. I leave you under the protection of Lord Bedfordshire. I think you know what will happen if anything should happen to her." He added.

Jane couldn't think of anything worse. She made it clear that she wanted the whole thing mapped and planned out before she left the castle with him. Lord Bedfordshire was annoyed with her efficiency but pointed out the areas that had already been searched. However, their plans and mapping was interrupted. Jane received an urgent message from Prince John and gasped.

"He's on his way!"

"Who?" Asked Lord Bedfordshire.

"Prince John. He's coming here. We can't leave incase he arrives." She replied.

"Your father..." He began.

"Isn't well enough for an audience with him. Get back to Locksley and plan our route for when he leaves, if he leaves." Added Jane.

"Prince John won't like the fact you appear to be running Nottingham single-handedly. Let me stay." He said.

"Albert, please..." Began Jane.

"What are you hiding from me?" He asked.

"Prince John wants to see me about the events that led to my father's near-death." Replied Jane.

"The rumours are true. You married Gisborne. Why? That is suicide, and you tell me to leave the castle?" He asked.

"Keep your voice down! I am not officially married and I never will be, not to that man." She replied.

"It's not me you have to convince." He added.

The carriage pulled up outside Nottingham castle. Lord Bedfordshire waited at the door as Jane went forward and curtsied as the door opened. A boot hit the ground, it was black and rather regular looking, for the Prince Regent of England. When Jane looked up, she found it was not Prince John whom she had lowered herself to. It was Guy. She stood up straight in shock and he left the carriage which drove back to London. She was horrified, more so when he spoke to her.

"Hello darling." He said.

Jane went to hit him, but he took her wrist as he had seen it coming. With his other hand he gave her another letter from Prince John, which she read out loud.

"Dear Jane, you lied to me, now I lie to you. In that respect we are even, but I am not done with either of you as yet. I have declared your marriage annulled, and granted clemency to Sir Guy of Gisborne, who is to take over Nottingham in your father's current ill-health. Know also that I am very disappointed in you, the only reason I can't kill you is that the King must order your death and as he does not know about you as a Duchess, I cannot receive such permission. You are on your last chance Jane."

Sir Guy let her go. Lord Bedfordshire glared at him and took her back inside and smirked at him cruelly. That was his mistake, Sir Guy returned to Locksley and reclaimed the manor as his own. When Lord Bedfordshire returned, he found that the guards would not allow him in and his clothes were thrown at him from the window.

"I thank you for that treaty Bedfordshire! Now Locksley is mine again, the treaty is mine." He said loudly.

Lord Bedfordshire went red in the face and returned to Nottingham castle and got on his knees before Jane. She raised an eyebrow.

"He's taken Locksley back. I have nowhere to go. My place is here!" He begged.

"With all due respect there is nothing I can do. He has been granted clemency and returned to his former glory including Locksley. I cannot help you." She said.

"A room in the castle!" Begged Lord Bedfordshire.

"I can't do that." She said.

"Please. I can't go back. Be merciful my lady!" He begged.

Jane sighed and motioned for him to stand up.

"Very well. There is a room on the fifth floor that is never used. You can use that for now." She said.

"I am forever in your debt my lady, yet I fear for you with Gisborne back." He said.

"I don't need you to fear. I need you out of my sight." She ordered.

Lord Bedfordshire had no choice but to leave and make his arrangements for the night. Jane couldn't believe that she had her life, but also how Sir Guy had been treated just to punish her. The Sheriff had to find out sooner or later, so she went to see him to give him the news. A cry of outrage was heard through most of the castle and Jane quickly left the room. She closed her bedroom door behind her and was quite tempted to have the same reaction to the whole thing. Instead she locked the door behind her and glared out of the window towards Locksley.

"I'll get you for this Guy of Gisborne. Don't think I won't." She said.