XLVI

For a while, Lord Winchester had been content to watch Vaisey and Gisborne's blundering; it had amused and entertained him but now his patience was wearing thin.

He had to admit that Vaisey's idea of making one of Hood's men a lord to coax him into divulging information to a pretty servant had been a good one and probably would've worked too were it not for the servant in question, who double crossed the sheriff and the 'lord', who readily gave up the good life to go back to his friends in the forest.

Idiots.

Winchester couldn't do anything with people like that.

Fortunately, whilst strolling through Nottingham one evening, he found exactly the sort of person he could do something with and didn't hesitate to invite him to the castle for a chat.

"Aww, look yer alright, I was about to get goin' yeh…"

It wasn't quite the response Winchester had been hoping for but he'd never been one to give up so easily, "Really? A shame for I have a proposition to make that you will certainly be interested in…" The lord's smile was all charm but his eyes were deadly serious and just in case the young man hadn't quite got the message, a small troop of guards surrounded him blocking any chance of escape.

"I guess when you put it like that…" He mumbled, nervously eyeing up the 'welcoming committee'.

"Smart move my friend."

Francesca had spent the day helping Mary Lambert sort through her son's possessions.

It had been an emotionally draining task but she'd been glad to help, not just because she wanted to support her friend at this difficult time but also because it gave her an excuse to get away from the castle and in particular, the men in it.

No sooner had she returned however, that she wished she'd stayed with Mary.

The reason for this was that not long after arriving in her chamber, she heard an unmistakeable voice out in the corridor pleading not to be taken to the dungeon. She waited until the commotion had passed her doorway and opened her door a fraction to observe a group of guards dragging Allan-a-Dale in the direction of that dreaded place.

Her heart sunk.

She knew he was an outlaw and most likely guilty of whatever they'd accused him but she couldn't help but remember how he'd been with her in the forest – friendly and chatty, keeping an eye on her and trying to put her at ease – not at all what one would expect from a criminal. Maybe she was letting her feelings get in the way here, the law was the law after all, but having witnessed what had happened to Lambert, she felt sympathy for all who opposed the sheriff and suffered at his hands.

Funny how that happens, you spend your life trusting that all is as it should be then you get a glimpse behind the curtains of power and suddenly all you thought you knew is turned completely on its head.

These were her thoughts as she heard footsteps approaching. She quickly closed her door and just as moments earlier, opened it once they'd passed by.

It was Winchester.

Going to the dungeon.

To see Allan.

What is he going to do to him?

A vision of Lambert in that terrible place instantly appeared before her eyes - broken and battered, helpless and afraid - and an agony of indecision overcame her.

A few days ago, she would've felt bad for Allan but most likely done nothing, for who was she to interfere with the law? But now, having to live with the knowledge that she might have been able to do more for a man who ended up murdered, she could not turn a blind eye and let events take their course.

Allan was one of Robin Hood's men, so it was obvious that if anyone would help him, it would be him. Problem was, she didn't have the foggiest idea how to find him. Yes, she had been to the outlaws' camp but Robin had blindfolded her for the last part of the journey, (once they'd evaded the men following them) so she wouldn't be able to find it again… Moreover, it was not as if she could go asking around town if anybody knew of his whereabouts for that was the surest way to find herself joining Allan downstairs.

Visiting the prisoner to ask him how to contact his friends was also out of the question because a) Winchester was down there and b) her bribes to the jail staff obviously weren't good enough anymore because one of them had snitched after her visit to Lambert and her father had given her hell about it.

It was at times like these she missed Lydia. Her cousin had always been her compass, her confidant, her friend. She would know what to do. She considered asking Mary for advice but then thought better of it; the poor soul had enough on her plate and she did not wish to burden her further.

Who could one go to when one needed counsel about such matters? More to the point, who could you trust? She doubted Vaisey would tolerate anyone questioning his methods but what about Winchester? Could someone talk sense into him? Could he be open to the possibility of being more lenient? It seemed unlikely for Prince John had sent him here to 'deal with the situation' but he didn't say how to deal with it did he? What if there could be another way?

She knew she could not convince him. She had scarcely attempted conversation with the man since their engagement so knew better than to try herself but what about someone else?

It was then that she remembered Sir Edward of Knighton.

That could work; he was sheriff here and is used to dealing with such matters.

It seemed like a long shot but Francesca had a feeling that if anybody could talk sense into Winchester it would be his friend. Unfortunately, she didn't know where he stood on the subject of outlaws and what if he saw things the same way as Vaisey? What if he told Vaisey or Winchester about her meddling in the matter?

It was so hard to know what to do and making the wrong move could land her in a world of trouble but she couldn't stop thinking of Allan and how he must be suffering.

What about Lady Marian?

After their previous conversation, she was loath to go to her for Marian knew of her regard for Guy but this was different wasn't it? This wasn't about her feelings for Guy.

What if she tells him though? He certainly wouldn't be happy to learn of you trying to help outlaws.

It seemed hopeless somehow. She knew too little of this place and its people to know who to turn to with what she knew and Allan didn't have time for her to figure it out.

There was nothing else for it; she would have to take a risk.

To Knighton it is then.

She'd forgotten about the insufferable goons who followed her everywhere.

Luckily, she'd become so adept at boring them with her uninteresting activities that they'd become somewhat lax of late. She apologised to Sir Edward and Lady Marian for her visit at such a late hour and then began speaking of such mundane topics of conversation (borrowed from her time at court) that the guards were practically begging to wait outside. She couldn't repress a smirk as they left and curiously she noticed Marian do the same.

"Sir Edward, Lord Winchester informed me that before Lord Vaisey, you were Sheriff here, is that correct?"

The elder man was wary at this sudden change of conversation topic and Francesca thought it best to elaborate, "I only ask for as you can imagine my experience here in Nottingham has been quite alarming so far - you saw what happened at Locksley…"

Sir Edward softened at this. "Yes I can only imagine what you must think of this place after such an introduction."

"Forgive me for interrupting father but I must say that things were much better here with you as sheriff..." Marian paused briefly to give her father opportunity to speak but despite looking somewhat irritated he said nothing so she continued, "I am of course somewhat biased in my opinion but I think most people would agree with me."

Francesca's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Marian's candid comment and she felt emboldened to continue on the subject, "Really? Was there such a thing as an outlaw problem during your tenure Sir?"

"Well of course there has always been those who operate on the other side of the law but the poverty in Nottingham has exacerbated the problem the past few years."

Wow.

Francesca's mind was blown. She'd been worried that Sir Edward might be as spoilt, selfish and uncaring as Winchester or her father but what he'd just said was the first sensible thing she'd heard from a nobleman since she'd arrived in the region. It gave her reason to hope.

"Forgive me for being so bold Sir but may I ask how you dealt with lawbreakers?"

The former sheriff was surprised at her question. Surprised and cagey. Francesca couldn't blame him; she'd started the conversation with the usual empty headed conversation expected of ladies and then dived headlong into a discussion about politics. Added to that was her connection to the man Prince John had sent to tackle the 'outlaw problem' - not exactly something to recommend her.

Thankfully, Lady Marian was not so suspicious; in fact, she seemed pleased that someone was asking such questions and it was an encouraging look from her that emboldened her father to speak:

"Well, I found that it always helps to gain insight into the circumstances of an offense, to understand what motivates a man to break the law before considering a form of punishment."

Francesca nearly fell off her seat. This was incredible. Why on earth did they fire this man?

"Do you think Robin Hood is justified in his actions?"

Francesca could see that she had gone too far now for her hosts clammed up instantly. It was a touchy subject but there was no point in dancing around it anymore, if she was going to help Allan then she would have to get to the point; "I ask because I saw guards taking one of his men to the dungeons and after what happened to Lambert I am worried what may become of him."

So there it is. Cards on the table. Make of it what you will…

It was with great relief then that after the initial concerned looks she caught a flicker of a smile upon Lady Marian's lips. It was only for a fraction of a second but that was all it took for her to know that she'd made the right choice in coming to Knighton.

Sir Edward was more measured in his reaction, "I am flattered that you trust me with this information but I am at a loss as to how I can help – the sheriff has his own way of doing things and has already assured me that my advice on such matters is unwelcome."

"Yes, I suspected as much. My hope is that perhaps you might be able to speak with Lord Winchester."

Father and daughter looked at her in astonishment.

Francesca could imagine what they must be thinking but continued because this had to be. "You must find me strange and meddlesome Sir, but I have spent the past days consoling a grieving mother and have no desire to witness the pain that comes with the sheriff's punishments anew. I realise that it is unusual for me to consult another as oppose to the man I am to marry but Lord Winchester is a man who values the opinions of those of equal station."

It went without saying that women did not belong to that station and certainly not women who were merely means to an end. Francesca knew exactly where she stood on that score - the revelation that Prince John was to attend their wedding had told her all she needed to know there.

Marian was fascinated with their guest. Fascinated and impressed. She was brave, far braver than Marian would ever have guessed for here she was, asking them for help – clever enough to know that with Vaisey and Winchester she was out of her depth but bold enough to seek assistance. The conversation she'd overheard between Francesca and Guy had already knocked her for six but this was something else altogether.

Her speech had not left Sir Edward untouched either - he approved of what she was trying to do but doubted that he would be able to get through to his friend.

"I will of course look into the matter and do whatever I can to advise Lord Winchester but you must understand that he has his own mind when it comes to business."

Francesca nodded resignedly. It was not much but it was something. She had tried… and who knows, perhaps Winchester might be receptive to suggestion from his friend.

She murmured heartfelt thanks to her hosts and took her leave.

If nothing else, she was at least a good deal smarter than when she arrived - the former sheriff and his daughter were good people who had listened to her case and responded with good sense and fairness.

Guy has found a good woman; perhaps she can guide him to less murky waters…

If only there was a way of getting through to the sheriff and Winchester…