Chapter XXIV
Nottingham, September 8th, 1194
Guy awakened, a sunbeam falling on his eyelids disturbing him. He cracked his eyes open. A shaft of light breached through the not perfectly closed shutters, reaching directly the bed. Here, it followed the shape of his body and landed then on Violet, who was sleeping in his arms under the covers.
He moved away as not to be blinded and propped on one elbow to watch his sleeping wife's face in the dim light. After they had made love, they had called for the servants to take away the water of the bathtubs and clean the bathroom. Then husband and wife had dined and later, they had returned to bed and made love once more, before falling asleep in each other's arms. One corner of Guy's mouth curled up into an amused grin. He could almost hear the gossip going around in the castle, whispering about the baron who had slept all night long with the baroness – again! Well, the chatter would soon end, because sleeping together would become routine, because he liked too much keeping Violet in his arms after their lovemaking. And not only in this circumstance, as he liked the physical contact with her, even if it was just touching her hand during their meals, for instance.
As if his thoughts had called her, Violet heaved a sigh and stirred, then she froze and opened abruptly her eyes, maybe not frightened but surely surprised. This was just the second time she awakened with a man at her side and she wasn't clearly used to it.
"Good morning, my wife", he greeted her in a sweet way. She smiled so happily that a lump formed in his throat.
"Good morning, my husband", Violet reciprocated. She was still incredulous about what had happened between them, not so much for the consummation of their marriage but, above all, the confession of their mutual feelings. She would have never believed she could feel a state of absolute bliss like the one she was experiencing now.
Guy reached for her and kissed her lips. Violet slung her arms around his neck and clung to him. The kiss deepened, initially sweet, and then turning gradually fiery.
It didn't take long and the room filled with new lovingly sighs.
OOO
"This morning you look thoroughly satisfied", Drastan grinned as he and Guy were heading for the stables. They had to go to Bonchurch, where the sheriff's presence was required. Guy had told Drastan his progress in the bedchamber with Violet and his ecstatic expression was a very clear proof that things had evolved further.
"I have good reasons for it", Guy admitted, speaking in a low voice. "I spent the whole night with my wife."
Drastan laughed. Not understanding the cause of his hilarity, Guy furrowed his brow and glared at him, but the fair-haired knight didn't look impressed.
"I don't think you spent the whole night with Violet just sleeping, am I right?" Drastan provoked him, he too speaking in a soft voice.
Guy rolled his eyes. "Of course I didn't just sleep with her! But once again, I went easy."
Drastan sobered.
"Well done", he said, "And how did it go?"
Guy's face softened, his mouth hinted to a smile, and Drastan understood everything.
"'Twas worth the wait, then", he commented, smiling in turn.
"Aye, absolutely", Guy answered. "I didn't dare to hope in such a passionate response…"
He broke off, fearing he was being too indiscrete, but after all, he was talking to Drastan, his best friend as well as best man, he remembered to himself.
"A fiery woman, then", Drastan stated, still softly. "Like my Rebelle", he looked at his friend. "We're lucky men, my friend."
Guy nodded, but didn't add more because they had reached the stables, where the grooms quickly saddled Darkshadow and Mjolnir. Guy and Drastan climbed on their horses and headed out of Nottingham.
A t Bonchurch Hall they were welcomed by Eve, Much's betrothed. The newly appointed master of the estate had freed her from her state as a serf, so he could marry her. They had fallen in love despite her being a spy in the pay of Vaisey, who hoped to induce Much to give him information about Robin Hood through her. When the old sheriff had discovered Eve's turnaround, he had her arrested and would surely have her hanged, but she had managed to escape. When Robin had assigned Bonchurch to Much, the latter had looked for her and then he had asked her to marry him, but before he had to make her a free woman. Their wedding was due one week after Drastan's and Rebelle's, in September.
Guy expected a certain mistrust from Eve's part, because he had been Vaisey's right hand and the late baron had almost had her hanged, but she behaved in a courteous, though not exactly cordial, way, and had them seated in the hall offering them cool beer from the cellar.
They were drinking when Much joined them a little later.
"Welcome to Bonchurch", the young man said. He was more or less Robin's age. "Thank you for coming."
His behaviour was still quite nervous when it came to Guy, even if he was trying to hide it. Guy pretended not to notice it. He knew that he had still a long way to go to win Much's trust, as well as Robin's and all of his Merry Men's. And he had no guarantee he would ever succeed.
"'Tis our duty", he answered briskly, then he realised that maybe he had been a little too gruff. It wasn't easy changing one's ways, he mused, concealing a grimace. "What's the problem, exactly?" he therefore added in a nicer tone.
Much sat at the head of the table, taking the place as the master of the manor. He moved a little awkwardly, because this state of things was still new to him.
"A theft, but I suspect that the accusation is false", he answered, trying to adopt a self-assured attitude like one could expect from a nobleman, though very recently created..
"And that's why?" Drastan enquired. He liked Much, having met him on occasion, and he considered him an honest and very loyal man, that were character traits he liked in anyone.
"The man charged with theft is Paul Guilford, Master Giles' son. The lad says he knows you personally, Lord Nottingham."
The sheriff nodded in confirmation. "True. He works at the reconstruction of Knighton Hall. As far as I know, he's a good lad, following his father's steps and one day he'll become an excellent master mason like him", he frowned. "I have a hard time believing he's a thief. Who's accusing him?"
"Ellis, the master saddler", Much answered. "He says he has caught him in his workshop in the middle of the night. Paul admits he was there, but he denies completely he ever meant any theft."
"Well, what was he doing there, then?"
"He doesn't want to tell, but I suspect he was visiting Tetsy, Ellis' daughter."
Drastan arched an eyebrow. He could easily imagine the situation, as he too, when he sowed wild oats before meeting Rebelle, had gone on secret meetings with many lasses…
"And what does she say?" he asked.
"She refuses to comment, and if what I suspect is true, I'm not surprised, as her father is quite the abusive type and he could slay Paul for attempting at his daughter's virtue, or slay her for allowing Paul to do it."
Drastan's face darkened, because if he despised someone without appeal, it was a man who laid his hands on those who were weaker than he was, such as women, children and elderly people.
"Firstly, we need to clarify the reason of Paul's presence in Ellis' workshop", Guy decided. "If 'tis true that he was there for Tetsy, but he doesn't want to say it because he doesn't want her involved, we have to convince him we'll protect him and the girl and that no one will receive any harm", he stood up. "Where's the lad?"
Drastan and Much rose in turn.
"I took him into custody and I locked him up into the barn", the Master of Bonchurch answered, walking to the door. "Please follow me."
They exited the mansion and crossed the courtyard, heading for the wooden building hosting the barn. Two sturdy farmers garrisoned it, armed with quarterstaffs. When the three noblemen entered, they found Paul sitting upon a bale of hay, his hands tied to one of the posts supporting the upper floor. His fair hair was ruffled, and he had a shiner and a split lip, ostensible signs that he had been beaten up.
The boy looked eighteen or nineteen years old. As soon as he caught sight of Guy, he rose and addressed him the hint of a bow, hindered by the strings.
"Sir Guy…" he began, then he corrected himself. "Lord Nottingham, I'm very glad to see you!"
Guy pondered about the fact that, just months before, nobody would be glad to see him. His heart warmed up at the thought that this boy was counting on his help to fix whatever trouble he had ended up into.
"Who did this to you?" he asked in a peremptory tone. "What mess have you walked into, laddie?"
Paul's shoulders sagged.
"'Twas Ellis, my lord, but I'm no thief, I swear to you!"
"I believe you", Guy reassured him. "However, you've been caught in Master Ellis' shop. He says you were there to steal something, but you deny it. So, 'tis your word against his, regarding your intentions, but the fact remains that you were in his home without his consent. What were you doing there?"
Paul looked away.
"I wasn't there to steal anything", he insisted. "I cannot say more."
"Are you afraid to dishonour Tetsy's name?" Drastan interfered, his sympathy transpiring from his tone.
Paul blushed, but said nothing.
"Listen, laddie", Drastan went on. "They told us Ellis is an abusive man, but you mustn't fear his retaliation, neither for you nor for her. We'll see as to keep him away from you two, but we need to know", he concluded.
Paul looked troubled.
"Can you really keep Tetsy away from Ellis' clutches?" he asked, looking for reassurance.
That was almost an admission, Guy realised.
"Of course we can", he guaranteed.
"And how?"
"This depends on many factors, beginning from the true reason you were in the saddler's workshop."
Paul gulped, trying to chase away his fears.
"I wasn't in the workshop alone", he confessed at length. "Tetsy was there too. We were... kissing. You know, we love each other..."
His voice failed when Guy frowned.
"If you love her, why didn't you act openly, asking Master Ellis for permission to woo her?" he enquired. "You're no penniless man. You have a good job and one day you'll inherit your father's business. You can offer her a dignified life. Ellis can't have any possible objections."
"But he has instead", Paul contradicted him quietly. "He wants her to marry Nolan, the wool merchant of Nottingham."
"What?" Much cried, upset. "That depraved old man?" he turned to Guy. "Even the prostitutes want nothing to do with that... that swine! What Ellis wants to do is... revolting!"
Guy knew well Nolan's reputation. He was the richest wool merchant in the county, and perhaps even of the surrounding counties, and he was frankly disgusted.
"I suppose Tetsy opposes her father's plan", he commented, an affirmation more than a question.
"Absolutely!" Paul cried. "She loves me!"
"So you want to marry her?"
"Of course I do! But without her father's permission, the only way is eloping together... I told my father about this and he's willing to protect us. We wanted to go to Sheffield and get a monk or a priest to marry us, and then we would return to Knighton Hall to my father. I went to see Tetsy to tell her about all this and fix the day of our run when Ellis caught us..." he brushed his bruised eye. "He punched me, and he would've beaten Tetsy too, if I wouldn't have shielded her with my body..."
Guy turned toward Much.
"Where's the lass now?" he asked.
"Knowing Ellis' violent nature, I entrusted her to her aunt, the brewer's widow."
"Well done", Guy said. Much blushed because of the unexpected praise and straightened his back, all content. "Let's go talk to Tetsy. If we can persuade her to confirm Paul's version, the matter is settled."
Drastan cast a glance to the youngster, still tied to the post.
"Let's take him with us", he suggested to Guy. "His sweetheart will trust him surely more than us, therefore he's more likely to get her to talk."
Guy nodded, agreeing with his deputy. Drastan used his knife to cut the rope tethering Paul's wrists, then he grasped his arm and urged him on, following Guy and Much who were already leaving the barn.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the house of Tetsy's aunt and Much knocked resolutely. The door opened almost before he was done, a sign that they had seen them coming, and a stout, fair-haired woman appeared on the threshold.
"Good day, Magda", Much began kindly, but firmly too. "We need to speak to your niece", he added straightaway. The woman cast Guy a mistrusting glance and he glared at her in return.
"Come on in", Magda said, stepping aside. The four men followed her into the modest kitchen acting as living room as well, a messy but clean enough room. Tetsy was intent on cleaning wild herbs. As soon as she saw them coming in, she rose wiping her hands on her apron. She was a girl around fifteen, blonde and quite pretty. Catching sight of Paul, she covered her mouth with her hands.
"Oh Paul... how are you?" she cried, clearly concerned.
"He'll be fine", Guy cut her short, but in a rather kind tone. "Let's come to the point at once. As you know, your father accuses Paul of theft in his workshop, but Paul says 'tis not true and that he was there for you, because you two were planning to elope in order to avoid your marriage to another man. Do you confirm this?"
Tetsy's blue eyes widened.
"I… I…" she stuttered, visibly very frightened.
"'Tis all right", Paul intervened. "Lord Nottingham guaranteed me he'll keep you away and safe from your father."
The girl seemed to relax slightly, however she still hesitated.
"But if my father won't give his permission to our wedding, we won't get anywhere", she objected.
"If he doesn't give his permission, I can do that as your lord, Tetsy", Much declared, raising to his full height.
Guy cast him a surprised glance. He had always been used to see Much as a simple-minded, clumsy man and his appointment as a lesser nobleman made him smile a little, but he had to admit that the man had always proved brave, honest and trustworthy, in both the Holy Land and here. There were greater noblemen who weren't as good as him – the old baron had been one of them. Much would be a valuable master for Bonchurch.
Tetsy looked at Much with immense gratitude.
"My lord, you have a good heart!" she cried. "Thank you!"
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Sir Much!" Paul cried too.
Much glanced from one to the other with obvious pride, but also with a little embarrassment.
Guy spoke again to Tetsy. "Well, lass, do you confirm Paul's version?"
"Aye, my lord, I confirm it", the girl declared at this point.
"But Tetsy!" Magda intervened, approaching her niece. "Are you sure? Paul is only a mason, if you would marry Nolan instead, you'd be very rich..."
Tetsy glared at her aunt.
"I don't care to be rich if I have do spread my legs to a man even whores want nothing to do with!"
Magda gasped, but Guy couldn't tell if the reason was her niece's explicit language or the concept in itself.
"I think the situation is clear", he announced. "But for the law, I must hold a public trial. We'll do that in the square of Bonchurch."
Much nodded, but he seemed a little lost. Drastan intervened. "We'll need a few benches and a table. Who can I ask for them?"
"Ah... Eve. She'll issue the necessary orders", Much answered, rousing from his daze.
"And someone must send for Master Ellis", Drastan went on.
"Sure", the Master of Bonchurch nodded, shaking definitely off his bewilderment. "I'll send Gerald, my intendent."
Less than half an hour later, everything was ready. Instead of benches, Eve had brought them two chairs with cushions for Guy and Much and a stool for Drastan. Now they were all sitting behind a trestle table covered in a cloth sporting Bonchurch's colours, blue and black, that had become Much's insignia. Guy thought that Eve was a perfect hostess and that, despite her humble birth – anyway not very different than Much's – she was worthy of the title of Lady of Bonchurch.
A small crowd – the hamlet's villagers – had gathered around the perimeter of the square and was quietly awaiting the developments. Some were peeping at the sheriff with scared faces, others looked just curious as they had heard rumours about Guy's improved attitude. His rise to Baron of Nottingham had taken them all aback.
"Master Ellis, come forth", Much commanded in a clear voice. From the crowd emerged a tall and sturdy man. Unlike his sister Magda, Ellis had raven-black hair streaked with grey and a short, well-trimmed beard adorned his chin. He wore an elegant tunic and a pretentious mantle. He was ostensibly a vain man who loved to appear grander than the simple, though well-off master craftsman he was, and it was as much ostensible that he wanted to use his daughter to improve his condition, marrying her off to a rich merchant, whether she liked it or not. However, to succeed in this he needed to maintain his daughter's pristine reputation. Therefore, instead of accusing young Paul of having seduced her or at least of having tried to seduce her, resulting in a shame wedding, he had decided to accuse him of attempted theft, so he would keep him away from Tetsy and go on with his plans. Ellis was counting on his own status, but he hadn't expected the scrupulousness of the new Master of Bonchurch, who had demanded to get a clear grasp at the whole situation.
He began marching smugly towards the trio of noblemen, but meeting the sheriff's grim stare, Ellis' shoulders began to sag and his gait became hesitant. When he stopped in front of Guy, he seemed deflated. Drastan looked at him up and down without concealing his despise, as he had realised this was a man capable to take it out only on the weak, but peed in his pants in front of the stronger or more powerful.
"Master Ellis", Guy began cut-and-dry. "You accused Paul Guilford here of trying to steal from your workshop. Do you confirm you accusation?"
Ellis felt the sheriff's eyes piercing him and was tempted to deny. Then he glimpsed the lad he had caught kissing his daughter and he saw red, because Paul risked to ruin his plans to get rich with the marriage he had arranged for Tetsy. He straightened his back again.
"Of course I do", he answered arrogantly.
Guy kept watching him in silence, for so long that Ellis began to feel uneasy once more.
"I tell you he was stealing from my workshop", he affirmed, but his voice was not very steady.
Guy kept silent and just raised an eyebrow. Ellis realised the sheriff didn't believe him, at all.
"'Tis true, I swear!" he cried in an almost desperate tone, because he was well aware that, should the sheriff not believe him, he had no chance.
"Paul instead says he was there for Tetsy", Guy declared at length, pretending indifference.
"What? Nay!" Ellis denied quickly. "My daughter is an honourable and untouched maiden! And she's already promised!"
"She doesn't agree", Drastan replied, along Guy's line.
"Of course she's promised. I gave my word!"
"I didn't say she doesn't agree on the fact she's promised", grinned Drastan, naughtily.
Ellis turned as white as a sheet at being publicly portrayed as unable to guard his daughter's virtue.
"I don't understand why she'd say the opposite!" he cried, acting as if flummoxed.
"Because she loves Paul and wants to marry him, not whoever you chose for her", Much intervened.
"I demand that a physician examines her!" Ellis then bellowed, suddenly furious. "He'll prove she's still a virgin and doesn't need a shame marriage! And I'll never give my permission for her marrying that penniless chap!"
"I have an excellent job", Paul made himself heard, in a firm tone that surprised everyone, considering his position and age, but apparently, his love for Tetsy gave him courage. "And in a few years I'll take over my father's place. He's Giles Guilford. And I'll be a master mason", he took two steps forward, a defiant glare well visible in his not swollen eye. "I can give Tetsy a decent living."
"I'd rather kill you!" Ellis yelled, snapping out of his mind. He looked as if ready to jump on the youngster and beat the crap out of him, despite the presence of his master, the sheriff of Nottingham and the latter's deputy. Drastan sprang up from his stool, knocking it over, and took three quick paces toward Ellis, his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to unsheathe it. Seeing him advancing on him, the saddler withdrew, his face suddenly terrified.
"You won't kill anyone, at all", the blond knight growled. "Now the sheriff will pronounce sentence and you shall accept it. Otherwise, the one ending up killed will be you. Have I made myself clear?"
Ellis swallowed hard and nodded. Coward, Drastan thought, disgusted.
Guy leaned back on the chair, looking at Ellis with an expression identical to his deputy. He spoke loud enough that everybody could hear. "In this case, we have Master Ellis' word against young Paul Guilford's, but Tetsy confirms Paul's version and not her father's. Therefore, I decree that Paul Guilford is acquitted of attempted theft against Master Ellis."
"And I, as the Master of Bonchurch, grant Tetsy Ellis' daughter permission to marry Paul Guilford", Much added.
Ellis deflated again and staggered backwards. No one made a move to go and help him. Instead, all eyes were set on Paul with support and to the trio of noblemen with respect. It was evident where the audience's favour rested.
Ellis straightened again and cast a murderous glance to Paul. Guy, who hadn't taken his eyes off the saddler, noticed it, and his brow wrinkled in a quite nasty frown.
"Ellis!" he thundered, springing up. The artisan gave a start and turned his gaze to the sheriff, immediately frightened, and even Drastan whipped around to look at his friend, startled. "Don't even think about it! These two young people are under my personal protection and, should anything happen to them, even slightly suspicious, know that the gallows await you!"
Ellis' chin almost hit the ground and the man seemed to shrink out of sheer terror.
Drastan turned again towards him.
"You heard the sheriff!" he growled, "I strongly suggest you to pray for the health and fortune of your future son-in-law..."
His ferocious grin showed clearly that he was having fun at the bully's expense.
Ellis stared at the fair-haired knight, completely stunned. Plainly defeated, he bowed low in acceptance of the sentence.
Satisfied, Guy relaxed again, leaning onto the back of the chair.
"Tetsy will stay at her aunt Magda's until the wedding", he decreed. "As for you, Ellis, you will stay well away from her and from Paul. And as I guess you won't give her any dowry, I will take care of that", he slid one hand under his jacket and took out a small suede pouch, then he poured the content on the table and picked up three gold coins. "Here it is."
Paul widened his eyes at this unexpected action. Tetsy and her aunt were standing in the back of the crowd, and witnessing this scene, they both dropped their mouths.
Much wanted to act like the sheriff, so he grabbed his own pouch and took out eight silver coins, adding them to Guy's gold coins.
"And here's my contribution", he announced. A number of the bystanders started to clap their hands and in a moment, the rest joined in an ovation for both their feudal lord and the sheriff.
Much felt moved, because he didn't think he had done anything extraordinary. After all, helping people in need was what he did also as an outlaw with Robin's gang.
Guy instead felt incredulous because this was the first time he had gained such a warm approval from the peasants. The feeling was incredibly agreeable, almost like a kiss from Violet, and it made him nearly as much euphoric.
He chose not to show openly his emotion and only softened his expression a little bit.
"Well, I'd say we're done here", Drastan announced, standing. Seeing Guy nodding in confirmation, he turned to the saddler. "Ellis, you can go, but remember well what we told you."
Ellis bowed again and took three steps backwards as it was appropriate for a peasant dismissed by a nobleman. Then he turned and, trying to keep up his appearance, walked away. His face was dark and looked like promising foul things, but the blond knight felt quite sure that Ellis would never dare to go against the baron's orders.
"'Tis almost midday", Much observed, casting a glance to the position of the sun. "My lord, I'd be honoured if you and Sir Drastan would have your meal with me."
Just a few months earlier, or even just a few weeks, he would never believe he would willingly share a meal with Guy of Gisborne, he thought. However, the circumstances had changed deeply, and both he and his ex-enemy were now on completely different social standings than before.
Guy was in a rush to go back home to Violet, but he couldn't refuse such a courteous invitation.
"Alright", he therefore accepted. "As long as 'tis something quick…"
He ignored Drastan's knowing glance and followed Much to his mansion. As soon as Eve learned they would stay for the midday meal, she immediately issued the appropriate orders to the kitchen.
They had a simple meal, as Guy had wished, with a tasty beef stew with vegetables and porter beer. Delicious pears followed, cooked in wine and sprinkled with honey. Drastan didn't skimp on compliments for Eve, who beamed at him to the point Much felt a hint of jealousy. But when her large sky-blue eyes locked with his, full of love, the new Master of Bonchurch realised he had no reason to worry.
GuyFriday! 24th chapter of my fan ficiton punctually published.
After the wonderful hours spent with Violet, Guy has to go to Bonchurch – now in Much's care – where the saddler is accusing the secret suitor of his daughter of theft. For the first time, the new baron has the chance to show his fairness...
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