Hello again! and Happy New Year! Hope you had a great time over the holidays. Finally managed to finish chapter 24. I hope you like it!

Now, I must warn you there is a massive amount of testosterone going on in this chapter and if, at any time, you feel the need to scream at any of the male characters (who are being very, very naughty boys!), feel free to do so!

ps: DeanParker and Marian66 (I know you've changed your name but can't seem to remember it at the moment) - so sorry about your loss:)) I know what the season's finale must have done to you. I never liked the girl and, still, I had to say that was not a good day to die.

Chapter 24 – Fresh eyes, old hearts

Count Alessandro de Savoy II was, by all accounts, a young man. Not yet eight and twenty, he had not outgrown his boyish appearance. His slim frame coupled with his less then imposing height, a feature that most Italian men shared, took away from that dark strength that one finds so appealing in a man. Still, he possessed a kind of innate charm, courtesy of the same Italian heritage, that left most women unable to resist. His large blue eyes entertained the kind of depth one usually associates with intelligence and his straight nose gave him that Roman profile that was so well liked among the nobility. It could be argued that the count was quite handsome.

He had a way about him, this count. The way he eagerly moved his eyes from one place to the other, sparkling bright and blue every time he encountered something to interest him. He moved his mouth with soft, long movements inviting you to watch him. His hands, while arguably small for a man, moved with a grace and fluidity that only extensive study can achieve. His legs took on elegant, long movements while his perfect smile was bestowed on particular, deserving subjects. After all, he had lived a privileged life, so he was bound to show it.

He had decided to grow out a beard as to give him a much needed maturity, yet his beard had rebelled against him. In the end, all he could manage had been a more or less thick stubble, which he maintained even at the cost of his favorite mistress, who had asked him most insistently to get rid of it … In the end, the only thing he got rid of was the mistress. The Count was fickle …in mistresses and in everything else.

His clothes were kept simple, away from unnecessary ornaments that made most nobles resemble peacocks in a most uncomfortable manner. They were, however, made from the best silks. Nothing but the very best would ever do. And it wasn't only for him that he kept this rule. It applied to anyone in his close quittance, especially women, for the count liked women and liked nothing but the very best for them. De Savoy had always been known to be a very generous man for generosity to his women meant respect for him. He had learned as much from his father: "Son …", he had said, "keep your women looking pretty. They're the first thing people notice about you."

Which was what appalled him the most about this savage land called Nottinghamshire. Not the terribly old and ineffective roads filled with all sorts of bandits and beggars. Not the gloomy state of the weather or the complete lack of a somewhat decent inn on the entire road from Portsmouth to this God forsaken place. But this … the sight of a beautiful woman dressed in an old, faded gown not fit for the kitchen maid.

It was this mere fact that made him dislike Gisborne from the first. It was not only that this savage, unrefined log had managed to get a woman the likes of which he had not had in quite a while, but that he did not seem to possess even the slightest idea of how to value such a woman.

A woman such as Lady Gisborne ought to be kept in silks and lace, not brown, washing cloth. No wonder the sun did not shine here.

As he walked through the halls of Nottingham Castle, the Sheriff at his side chattering some nonsense, Savoy presented a polite smile pretending to listen but kept his eyes away to the left, upon that rather fascinating creature. It was not that this woman was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He had seen others even more beautiful. It was just that she was not blushing.

It was clear as day to Savoy that she had noticed full well that he was looking at her and just how he was doing it, yet she did not seem unsettled by it. Even more so, every now and then she would roll those remarkable brown eyes and look straight at him. The looks implied nothing improper and yet were given with such certainty and confidence that Savoy was surprised. He did not expect such behavior from a village lord's wife … They were usually considered quite simple-minded. There was more to this woman then that … There was a predatory glim in her eye that enticed him and ignited all of his sovereign instincts.

He briefly directed his gaze towards Gisborne … He was walking next to the Sheriff. Face straight and impenetrable, his icy eyes kept firmly forward. Such a cold fish this one! Not a look, not a touch had been given to his wife since he had met them.

How could the man keep his eyes off her? "He must be out of his mind!", Savoy thought. More attention was given by Gisborne to that girl dressed in the ridiculously vulgar dress then to the woman standing silently by his side. Attentions that had not gone unnoticed by Lady Gisborne, Savoy observed.

"She must be bored stiff.", he thought. Savoy seriously doubted Gisborne was capable of satisfying his wife, in any way. He doubted that crude, strait-laced countryman had any idea of what it took to please the woman next to him or that he even cared.

"Lady Marian was very interested in meeting you", Guy said all of a sudden, interrupting the Sheriff and directing the attention towards Marian, who had remind, strategically, a few steps behind trying very hard to be left out of the whole interaction. Guy, on the other hand, would have none of that.

He was becoming increasingly weary of Savoy's eyes roaming freely all over his wife's body. If the little boy thought that kind of behavior had gone unnoticed, he was mistaken.

Not only had he to keep quiet when that horse-faced woman insulted his wife. The insult had stung inside him like a hot needle through the heart. Who did that woman think she was? His wife, with no jewelry and that horrible garment on was more beautiful and more of a lady then that woman could ever be. And then there was that nagging feeling of shame that plagued him. It was his fault his wife had to present herself as she did. He had exposed her to ridicule, just as she had predicted … But now to have this little Italian look at his wife with such possession was more then he could take. The moment he kissed Josephine's hand, Guy disliked him. His lips lingered just a tad too long on the skin for his liking. His stomach quivered at the sight and it was quivering still.

Guy looked back at Marian menacingly, forcing her to take a few steps forward. She hated being the puppet of these people, but with her father in the dungeons, she hardly had a choice.

"Is that so?", Savoy asked in his politely flirtatious voice, putting the smallest of efforts into pretending that he was interested. After all, the comfort of the large, leathered oaf was no concern of his. It was more then obvious that the girl was shaking in her boots to get away from all of them and he was not about to impose himself on anyone, especially since there was a much more interesting prize to be gained.

"I must say that the presence of a count so far away from home, did strike my curiosity a little", Marian answered coolly.

The girl was brave. Savoy had to give her that. And just for making Gisborne shift angrily form one leg to the other, he liked her just a bit more.

"I hope to satisfy your curiosity more thoroughly in the future", he responded bowing slightly and then turning his back on her.

"Vasey …", he addressed the Sheriff who was all sweetness and butterflies in front of the high ranked friend of King John's, "there is a small matter of business I would like to get out of the way. Could I have a word with you and lord Gisborne in private?"

"Of course", the Sheriff replied trying to appear unphased by this although he feared he knew what it concerned. "If you'll fallow me …", he added pointing towards the outer corridor.

Savoy could not let this moment pass … He turned from the Sheriff and his extended hand and approached Josephine. "Lady Gisborne, I hope to have the pleasure of your company at dinner tonight?", he said bowing and taking her hand into his own before dropping his lips upon it once more.

"Of course you will!", the Sheriff said matter-of-factly, before Josephine had even the chance to respond. "Lady Gisborne will be here all through your stay".

Having been left no room to talk, Josephine simply refrained to a small smile and a slight bow of the head. She was quite eager to get it over with. Guy's icy look upon her was not feeling very comfortable.

"That is excellent news!", Savoy replied, still looking at Josephine and gave her one of his largest smiles.

As Savoy and the Sheriff were heading towards Vasey's quarters, Guy stopped for a moment and faced the guards: "Take Lady Marian back to her chamber. She was not much help today …", he instructed coldly, looking back at her.

Soon enough Josephine found herself alone in the hallway with the woman that had insulted her previously. She dismissed her and her husband quickly showing them to their chamber and excusing herself. She was in no mood to talk to that ugly, bitter witch.

-oOo-

"King John has entrusted me with a small request." Savoy did not waste too much time to get matters out in the open once he was in the Sheriff's chamber. He stared closely at the blue sky outside through the rather large number of bird cages and delivered his news with the confidence of a man who knew he could not be refused. "He wishes me to deliver Nottingham's monthly due when I arrive in London.".

It was a good thing Count de Savoy had his back turned on Vasey, because try as he might, the Sheriff could not hide his feelings. He did not have the monthly due and he knew it. He had managed to send a sum of money to London every month but he had always kept a considerable part of the money for himself. Vasey served no master, except himself, and that included Prince John. After all, what did he know? He was miles away from Nottingham … This month as it happened he had had need of money more then usual. It was a particular sticky situation since not complying to Savoy's request would send a bad message to court. Vasey's eyes started moving quickly from one side to the other in search of a plan. He knew he had to buy time, a lot of it and fast.

"… in order to spare the unnecessary expense of sending it, of course", Savoy added after a prolonged pause, turning and facing Vasey with a soft, yet obviously fake, smile.

"Of course", the Sheriff replied with mocked pleasure.

Guy sat a few steps behind, leaning against the wall and watching the scene unfold. He knew the Sheriff stole money from King John. He had known it for a long time now, but it was more then obvious that Vasey had been caught on the wrong foot and had no money to show for it.

"Of course … it will take some time to gather up the sum …", the Sheriff added in passing as he started tending to one of the cages.

"It is nearly the end of the month … shouldn't the due already be in storage?".

It became very clear to Vasey that Savoy was not going to play the fool. "Well ... by the time you will be ready to leave, the due will accompany you!", the Sheriff underlined cheerfully. "Now …I am sure you will find your stay enjoyable and will want to remain for some time to come … Lady Marian has assured me, she intends to keep you company all through out.". The Sheriff thought he might add a enticement that a man of Savoy's reputation would appreciate. "Isn't that so, Gisborne?".

"Indeed …", Guy responded ironically.

Savoy winked in displeasure. "Lady Marian is unmarried, is she not?"

The Sheriff smiled in mischief and responded in a conspirator voice: "Yes …yes, she is".

"Then for her to keep me company is out of the question!"

This seriously unbalanced both the Sheriff and Guy. After all the pains they had gone through to ensure Marian's full cooperation, it seemed that the count was not interested.

"I do not wish to take advantage in any way".

The Sheriff smiled openly … "Oh, there is no need …" but saw himself interrupted.

Savoy had no patience for this man. If the Sheriff was going to buy time, then he wanted to get something out of it as well. "Sir,", he began full of noble bravado, "I do not know how people behave in this part of the world but I can assure you it is unthinkable for me to destroy the reputation of a woman!". Of course, Savoy had destroyed more then a few reputations over the years but it wasn't Marian's reputation he was looking to tarnish … "For her well being and my state of mind I must request for someone else to accompany me through out my stay … Lady Gisborne, perhaps?", Savoy asked innocently pretending to be indifferent to the whole idea but keeping his eyes firmly set upon Gisborne.

Before the Sheriff could have the chance to respond with the most emphatic "Of course!" he was able to muster up, Guy flinched involuntary and took an aggressive step ahead. "That is out of the question!", he said staring the count down.

"Gisborne!", the Sheriff adverted … "Of course, Lady Gisborne would be more then happy to accompany you.". Vasey dismissed Guy immediately.

"My lord!", Gisborne continued focusing his attentions back to the Sheriff.

"Quiet!".

This silenced Guy momentarily but the fire was only just ignited in him, and refrained to walking back and forth like a lion in a cage.

"Very well, then.", Savoy said pleased to see Gisborne silenced and humiliated. "I will retire and leave you to your business.", he added moving towards the door. Just as he was heading out, he turned and delivered the punch line. "I was hoping Lady Gisborne might do me the honor of sitting next to me at dinner… Perhaps she could shed some light on your customs." Without expecting an answer Savoy exited leaving behind him havoc.

"This is good … very good", the Sheriff excitedly announced as soon as the door closed and started moving about the room. "I knew your wife would come in handy, Gisborne!", he said pointing to the black figure still hidden in the shadows of the room.

"My lord, ", Guy responded coolly, "I will not allow my wife to …".

"Enough, Gisborne! Enough! Your pretty wife will help us in this matter and that is final!"

"No!", Guy said almost in a infantile manner coming out of the shadows. "She is my wife, not some common harlot!"

"Then if she is not, she will not behave as one.", the Sheriff responded calmly, taking to tending one of his birds and giving the matter no more attention. "Calm yourself, Gisborne. She will show him some pretty hills and dales, smell a few flowers, smile charmingly and be done with it. All to keep him busy …". "She can manage such a simple task, can't she?".

"It is not her place to fulfill that task … As my wife, she deserves more respect then that!", Guy answered trying to control himself. It was at times like this when he realized just how little influence he held with the Sheriff. What good had serving the Sheriff achieved if he wasn't even able to defend his wife in a situation such as this?

The Sheriff turned abruptly and headed for Gisborne, keeping his movements slow and his voice at a minimum level … "As my lieutenant, Gisborne", the Sheriff began mirroring Guy's earlier words, "you sit at the right hand of the father. You will share in the fruits of our labor. You will be…". The Sheriff paused for a few moments, just long enough to lean in and put his hand on Guy's cheek with apparent fatherly affection, "a god amongst men … as long as I can trust you!" … Staring deeply into Gisborne's eyes, the Sheriff made sure to get the message fully across … "Go talk to your wife."

The Sheriff's hand upon his face felt cold and implacable to Guy, yet he found himself unable to resist. Despite his desire, he felt himself nod in agreement and for the first time since he had been married to Josephine, he truly knew he had betrayed her.

-oOo-

Josephine stood in the middle of her bed, contemplating the morning's events. She had to admit that she had been somewhat curious to meet this count. In her general experience (which was not small), counts were usually old, fat bores so she was not expecting very much out of this one.

It had to be said she was more then a little surprised. The count was not only young and rich but he was also very handsome. She had not expected to strike his fancy but she could not in all honesty say that she was sorry for it. After all, it gave her the opportunity to make her husband jealous and that was a lesson that Guy needed to learn desperately.

Other then that, she entertained no thoughts for this count. In the past, she might have viewed this as a great opportunity. In Josephine's mind, being the mistress of one of the most powerful men in the world was far more convenient then being the wife of a country lord … But just as it happened; she was in love with her husband. After all this time and after all that had passed between them, she loved him still.

And she felt she knew Count de Savoy all too well to be truly interested in him. He reminded her of herself in some ways. The cold way in which he surely must view the world, his interest in observing those around him, the predatory, selfish look …These were things she recognized about herself as well …Then again, he mostly reminded her of Guy.

They both had this way of talking to you, of looking straight into your eyes with shire fascination, without a shred of doubt, of moving their bodies that left women baffled. But there was one major exception … Josephine had the very clear suspicion that Savoy's actions were always carefully planned and analyzed before hand. The man did not gamble, if he was not sure he would win. He did everything he knew in order to achieve his propose. And while that made him a rather interesting creature to observe, it held no real appeal to Josephine.

Guy's actions, good or bad, were always governed by instinct. All the things that happened to make him appealing were things that he was not even aware of. He simply did them because he wanted to. That made him real in Josephine's eyes … which was why she loved him. His instinctual, almost primitive manner at times, made her quiver in expectation and want … and it also made her feel safe … but most of all, she felt alive around him and that was something she had been sorely lacking before meeting Guy, for cold machines such as Robert truly despise life.

A cold chill ran through her body, freezing her mind for a moment and she took the thick, warm shawl and wrapped around her even tighter. "The blasted cold!", she thought.

Suddenly there was a soft knock on the door and as soon as her voice called out: "Come in!", the figure entered the room decidedly … It was her husband.

Her face could not hide the contentment that she was feeling, seeing him here, in her room. The little trick with the count had worked after all, and sooner then she had thought …She did not expect apologizes or declarations. She knew him to be too proud for that but just that he had come here, to be with her was enough.

She quickly rose from the bed and came towards the center of the room, where he had remained still, bent on embracing him and not speaking for several hours to come.

It was about this time, though, that she realized how awkward he looked, how uncomfortable and weary. He did not speak. He simply shifted his position from one leg to the other, as he often did when he was angry, and could not even bare to look at her.

"What is the matter?", she asked coldly, taking a few steps backwards and dropping her already extended arms. Once more she felt she had to get ready to face disappointment.

He did not answer. He starred blindly into the wall and shook his head. He could not help but put part of the blame on her. If she had not been so beautiful, if she had been more regular and plain then surely the count would not have made such a request and he would not be shamed today. If she had not known how to move those eyes to such an effect, if she had braided her hair … "I have a request to make of you …", he finally said straightening his position and looking at her with cold, distant eyes.

Josephine recognized that look very well … She had only once seen it, in London, on that night, and she feared it's repercussions. What was it that he blamed her for now? She dropped her eyes and waited.

"I want you to keep Count de Savoy company while he is to stay in the castle."

This, she did not expect. Her large eyes jumped up and met his own, filled with confusion and anger. "Excuse me?"

"There is not need to act surprised. I am well aware that you are more then equipped to keep a man company", Guy said cruelly turning his back on her. The more he talked, the more it seemed he could harden his heart to her. Why should he be so foolish as to care about the well being of a woman when there were greater things to be gained? Leverage over the Sheriff, influence, money … If the Sheriff fell, he would as well and he had sacrificed too much to give up now.

"Do not mock me!", Josephine answered back in rage as she grabbed his arm and forced him to turn and face her, fresh tears creeping their way to the surface. "No!", she said looking into his eyes … "Absolutely not!".

"You are in no position to argue!", Guy responded pulling away from her grip. "You are living in my house! You will do as I say!"

"I am your wife!", she screamed in desperation. "Do I mean so very little to you that you will have me whored around as you would a common harlot?"

"Do not be so emotional, Josephine! It does not suit you. No one is asking you to do anything more then keep him company. Do not act like a whore if you are not one.", Guy said ironically, mirroring the same words that had cut him open minutes earlier.

Her mind started swirling. She could not make sense. Everything was so familiar … everything, so painful. A door, a man with large sweaty palms …and Guy sitting behind her pushing her through? Or was it Robert? She could not remember … Maybe it was Robert …and her screaming: "I'm not a whore, Robert!"

This silenced both of them. He was left limb and cold while she was finally brought back, realizing what she had said. Robert was there … always there, mocking her, making her see the truth … She could never mean more to any man then what Robert had made of her.

"What did you say?", Guy asked when he saw himself able to talk. The sound of that man's name inside her mouth would always leave him stunned. He approached her menacingly.

"It was he who sent you here, wasn't it?", she asked lifting her head boldly, her eyes scrutinizing him. She saw his confusion, his questioning her sanity … "The Sheriff …", she added only to see him drop his eyes and move away from her.

"Tell him", she said, "that I am not his whore to wiled about! You may be his puppet …"

"Enough!", Guy barked actually managing to make Josephine jump up with fear. "Enough of your spirited talk, woman! You will do as I say!".

This silenced her. He continued starring her down for several seconds, keeping his eyes upon her as implacable rocks. It was a good thing, Josephine thought, that she had brought her sawing basket with her. She was going to be in need of it.

She let him put distance between them, and only stopped him once he was half way out the door. "Are you not afraid?", she asked forcing him to stop. He did not turn but he found himself unable to move. He was afraid. He was very afraid.

"He likes me, Guy. He likes me a great deal.", she stated the obvious and started moving towards him bringing her words closer and closer to him until they hit the inevitable center and made him turn to face him. "I can make him like me even more … and while I am doing that, I might fall in love myself". Guy blinked involuntarily, betraying his feelings. "After all", Josephine said in a soft whisper, "he is a handsome and powerful man". By now, Guy had dropped his arms so Josephine put her hand decidedly over the door knob and leaned in such a way as for her breath to fall directly over Guy's neck … "Just remember, when this occurs you will have no one to blame but yourself.". With that she closed the door in his face and bolted it behind her, leaving Guy in the dark.

-oOo-

The dinner was going along fine. At least it appeared so. The Sheriff was gleefully speaking nonsense to anyone he could find and there were a great many since the whole of Nottingham's nobility had been called for the feast. The Italian woman's curiosity had been appeased … It appeared English ladies did wear jewelry, quite a great amount of it. Guy was sited next to Marian and seemed quite happy in his present condition and Josephine could not help but watch them with anger and pain.

He did not look at her but she took the opportunity to observe the two of them. She wondered if they had slept together … She could not tell. Marian did seem rather eager to please, smiling shyly and trying to meet Guy's gaze as often as she could. Josephine could not decide whether she wanted something out of him or if she was simply afraid. Anyway, it did not matter. For the result was the same. Marian was giving her husband more strength to give his wife up and for that, Josephine hated her.

"I must say you do have strange customs here", the count said leaning very close to her ear. "There is no music …".

"I am sure the Sheriff will be happy to provide you with music if you ask him, my lord.", Josephine replied politely, putting a piece of bread into her mouth and taking this opportunity to distance herself from the count's mouth.

Another sight of Guy sitting next to Marian, and Josephine turned her whole body towards the count grabbing her wine goblet and taking a quick sip. She smiled charmingly upon him and it was all it took for him to start talking all sorts of wonderful nonsense, the kind that made her mind forget, leaving room for enjoyment. There were a lot of things that could be said of this count, but he was fun!

"Where's your wife, Montfitchet?", the Sheriff asked mockingly for the whole table to hear.

Montfitchet had only gotten married a few months earlier and to a much younger lady of doubtful reputation… This after finding himself in a most uncomfortable situation with said lady. So there was much giggle to be had on his account. In all fairness, Montfitchet had been a target of the Sheriff's jokes for a long time, mostly having to do with him still carrying a torch for Lady Gisborne, ever since the Sheriff had denied him her hand, instead choosing Guy. This new unfortunate circumstance, Montfitchet found himself in, only added to the Sheriff's repertoire.

"She finds herself indisposed this evening, my lord.", Montfitchet responded in his usual placid voice. "Besides, she has made it a rule not to go out at night … from fear of the Sherwood Butcher."

A sound of stifling laughter could be heard all around the table, since it was common knowledge that Lady Montfitchet did go out at night … all nights and alone.

"Yes, yes ... Montfitchet,", the Sheriff replied seriously, "I'm sure the Sherwood Butcher has kept your wife awake on many occasions."

"Who is this Sherwood Butcher?", Savoy asked Josephine, confused. It was not so much curiosity that was making him ask. It mostly had to do with hearing that lovely, soft voice.

After taking yet another sip of wine, Josephine leaned in closer and spoke in a low, confiding voice, keeping her eyes playful. "The Sherwood Butcher is a common criminal, my lord, who murders women …noble women… then leaves them at the outskirts of the forest.". She stopped herself just long enough to check if anyone was listening and then she added in an intimate whisper: " …naked …".

Savoy's eyes widened in disbelief, both of the information and of the way she had confessed it. "How scandalous!", he replied with a half smile.

"Are you afraid?", he asked her.

"No.", she replied smiling.

"Of course you are not. That Butcher could never be a match for you!", he said with admiration and received a seductive smile as response. "But rest assured,", he continued wicking at her, "you will be protected!". "We must give chase and catch this Sherwood Butcher!", he announced louder for everyone to hear. By the time dinner was assembled the rest of Savoy's party had arrived, and it now consisted of about 30 people, who were all sited at the table and gave out a loud cheer in favor of their patron.

"That will not be possible!", Guy cut short the enthusiastic enterprise. "This is a serious matter, meant to be handled by the law. It is not a sport!"

"Very well, then.", Savoy replied. "Do let us know when you catch this man, Lord Gisborne. And I think I speak for all of us when I say it rather be sooner then later".

The table gave another stifling giggle as Guy found himself silenced by the count. If he had had his way by now the count would be laying dead in the street, but as it was he remained quiet watching his wife laughing. He could no remember the last time he had made her laugh. He wondered if he had ever genuinely brought a smile to her face or had it all been pretence?

"I must say, I find it quite odd that your husband prefers the company of Lady Marian to yours…", Savoy said in a lower voice as both he and Josephine turned to look at the couple sited on the other side of the table.

"My husband and Lady Marian have been friends for a very long time …", she offered as explanation, grabbing the newly filled goblet.

"She is pretty, I will admit to that …but you, Lady Gisborne, are magnificent!".

This made Josephine turn her head towards him. She had no been called magnificent in quite a while and she had to admit that it felt good hearing it. She started smiling is mischief.

"Why do you smile?", Savoy asked her.

"I was just thinking that a woman is only magnificent before you marry her, after she becomes common place, my lord."

"Call me Alessandro. And you, my lady, could never be common place", Savoy professed and kissed her hand.

"Alessandro", Josephine repeated and offered him one of her most enchanting smiles.

Really curious to see what you are going to make of Count Savoy. He's a character I've created from scratch and very interested in seeing your opinions about him. Remember: reviews equal love