Alyss watched from the window as Gisburne left the Manor. She had no idea where he was staying, but knew it could not be too far away as he did not take Fury. She guessed that Osric had offered him shelter, and she sighed deeply. She had not wished to part on such bad terms, for she had no idea what the future held, or if she would ever see him again. Though her fiancé would gain Nettleworth, it did not mean that they would live here. She had to accept that she may be forced to move to Dunwich, and if that was the case then it was very likely that she would never see Nettleworth again. Seeing the tell-tale blue cloak disappear from view, she dried her eyes and focused on making dinner for her father. Alyss had known that Gisburne would not react well to the news, for she had long suspected that the knight held a soft spot for her. Indeed, the last few weeks had only added to it, and though she longed to hear him confess his love for her, she knew she would not be able to bear it. After all, it did not matter how she felt, or if she returned such feelings, for she was bound to another. She would be married in two days, and that was the end of it.
She was furious with father for keeping it quiet. He had known of her betrothal ever since she had returned home, and yet he had ignored her questions about the money. It was only when the messenger had arrived three days ago that Edgar had admitted that she was promised to the Earl of Dunwich's son, and that he would be marrying her within the week. Alyss had tried to argue, though it had fallen on deaf ears, and she knew that she had no other option. Nettleworth would be lost to them entirely if she refused, and so she would marry a man she never met. She could only hope that he would be a kind and faithful husband.
After eating supper in silence, she retired to her room and set about changing the sheets. She could scarcely believe that Guy was gone, and she let her tears flow freely as she worked. This was the first time she had to herself since finding out the news, and so she allowed herself to mourn for the life she was about to lose. No longer would she have such freedom, and the fact that she may be torn from everything she held dear broke her heart. Not only that, she was about to lose a friendship that had only just been rekindled. Sinking onto the bed, she clutched a pillow tightly and sobbed into it. Not for the first time did she have the urge to run, and for once she had the ability to do so. A well-bred horse was in the stables and she was fairly confident that she could travel some distance before anyone noticed that she was gone. She had no idea where she would go, nor what she would do when she got there, but at least she would not have to marry a man she did not know. She sighed deeply then, for she knew she had little money and no skills, and she sincerely doubted that she would be happy being a peasant. Besides that, she would have to travel through Sherwood first, and that was nigh on impossible in the dark. Abandoning the idea, she fell back onto the bed and hoped that all would be well.
Nettleworth was a hive of activity the next day. People were decorating the houses and cleaning the village, while Edgar supervised the preparation of the Manor. The guest room was ready for visitors, while Alyss' wedding gown was finished and waiting on the chest at the end of her bed. Alyss had decided to get away from it all, for she had been cleared of her duties for the day, and with no sign of Dunwich's party, she decided to go for a walk. She soon found the small clearing she had loved to hide in when she was a child, and a sigh escaped her lips as she leaned against a tree. Things had been so much simpler then. Though she had always known that she would have to marry, never had she believed that her father would be so cruel as to sell her to the highest bidder. She wished that she could be a child again, playing with her brother and causing no end of trouble for her parents, and she smiled sadly at the memory.
"I thought I may find you here my lady." She opened her eyes to find Osric standing in front of her. He smiled kindly, and Alyss could not help but return it.
"I needed to get away."
"I take it you have not known for long?" He asked, and she shook her head.
"Three days." Osric looked shocked. "Except my father has known ever since he brought me back from Nottingham. Tell me Osric, have you heard anything about the man I am to marry?"
"I am afraid not my lady." He at least looked apologetic, and Alyss gave another heartfelt sigh. "I am truly sorry Alyss. I can only hope that you will be happy."
"As do I." she paused. "Do you happen to know where Sir Guy is staying?"
"With me." Osric stated, then sighed as he saw the hurt in Alyss' eyes. "I take it you did not part ways on good terms?"
"I fear he was angry with me for not telling him sooner." She explained. "And I was too surprised to find him packing too…"
"Would you like to talk to him?"
"I doubt it would do either of us any good." She admitted, but Osric gave her a knowing look. "You think I should?"
"You will regret it if you don't." He pointed out, and Alyss relented, for she knew he was right.
"Where is he?"
"My cottage. I will stay away unless I see Dunwich arrive."
"Thank you Osric. You have always been a good friend." The pair emerged from the trees, and Alyss took a deep breath before going in search of the knight. She had no idea what she was going to say, nor how he would react, but she prayed that Osric was right.
"Shouldn't you be at the church?" The knight asked coldly as he answered the door. It was not the friendliest of greetings, but it was still better than Alyss had been expecting.
"That's tomorrow."
"Osric is not here." He stated, about to close the door.
"He is not who I am looking for." She pointed out. Sir Guy simply looked at her, then sighed.
"Are you sure this is wise my lady?"
"No, but I cannot let last night be our last words to one another, especially as we may not see each other again after tomorrow." She told him as she shivered in the cold breeze. The knight stepped aside to let her in, and she was quickly stood by the fire.
"You made yourself quite clear last night. There is nothing more to…."
"There is. There is so much more to say Sir Guy. I am truly sorry that I did not tell you sooner. I fear I have struggled to accept that I am promised to a man I have not met, and I believed that if I did not say it then…" She shook her head. "I do wish that things were different, but I was always destined to marry someone. It seems that this is to be my fate."
"What happens if you don't marry him?" He asked, standing close to her.
"Nettleworth will belong to him, and I will be left with nothing."
"There is no other way?"
"The money to pay off the debt was in exchange for my hand in marriage. My father sold me in order to keep his lands." She sighed. "He truly must have been desperate."
"How long have you known?" He asked, and Alyss hesitated. "My lady?"
"Three days." She was fighting the urge to cry. Standing here in the cottage was doing nothing to help her heartache, and she knew that this would be the last time she saw him.
"I should apologise for last night. I… I was angry that you had not…"
"I understand, and you are forgiven." She told him, meeting his gaze. He looked at her sadly, and she fought the urge to hug him, for she knew she would not want to let go.
"You are far too good for him Alyss." Guy said after a moment.
"You know of him?"
"I have heard of him." The knight confirmed. "He does not deserve you."
"I…" She went to speak, but both were disturbed by Osric appearing in the doorway. Alyss swallowed her tears and stood up straight, knowing that she now had to be a lady, and not simply a young woman.
"Stay safe my lady. I wish you every happiness." The knight wished as she turned to leave.
"Farewell Sir Guy." Alyss let her eyes linger on him for just a moment, before she headed to the manor.
She reached the house just as two finely dressed men and a small group of soldiers rode into the village. She shared a look of concern with her father as they noticed a couple of them sporting wounds, and Alyss could only guess that they had been ambushed in the forest. Lord Edgar stepped forwards to greet them, while Alyss did her best to stand still and keep quiet until she was introduced.
"Damn those outlaws! If they were on my land they would have hanged years ago!" The older nobleman cursed, and Alyss noticed he had a makeshift bandage on his arm.
"I am sorry that you had to encounter them. I am sure that the Sheriff will compensate you for anything that was taken." Edgar said as they dismounted.
"They got nothing." The younger nobleman stated. Alyss guessed that this man was to be her husband, and she realised that he was rather handsome. He wore fine clothes which suited him well, and appeared to be a little younger than herself. He had dark hair and piercing green eyes, and she hoped that his personality was as good as his appearance.
"Allow me to introduce my daughter, the Lady Alyss." Edgar smiled as they approached.
"It is an honour to meet you and welcome you to our home my lords." She said with a demure smile.
"The pleasure is ours." The Earl of Dunwich returned her smile. "This is my son, Hugh." He gestured to the younger man. Hugh was staring at her like she was a piece of meat at the butchers, and Alyss felt rather uncomfortable.
"She will do." Hugh decided, and Alyss had to bite her tongue. "Is there much land attached to the manor?"
"There are a few fields." Edgar replied. "There is much to be discussed. Shall you come inside and we can talk over lunch?" So the party retired indoors, and Alyss hovered near her father, for there was something about the young man that she did not like.
Sadly, if Alyss had thought that Hugh would improve his behaviour, she was mistaken. For the rest of the day she was either ignored or talked about as if she was not there, and he insisted on insulting the village. His behaviour was deplorable, and though she did her best to remain calm, she found herself desperate to get away from him. She knew she had no option but to marry him, though she wished it were not so, and she hoped that he would improve over time. He kept staring at her though, and it made her feel very uncomfortable. There was something in his eyes that she did not quite recognise, but she did not like it. Therefore she was grateful to retire early that night. The three men had been drinking for much of the afternoon, and their drunkenness had only made things worse. Reaching her room, Alyss paced and tried to work out what to do for the best.
The price of freedom had been her hand in marriage, and she almost wished that her father had not found the money. Truly she would rather be a poor beggar than wife to such a cruel and heartless man. He was awful, and so far beyond what she would ever wish for as a husband. She had no idea how she would spend the rest of her life with him, and she knew he would care little for her happiness. He had bragged about punishing his people harshly for the smallest of crimes, and laughed at the idea of helping them. It was obvious to her that he would not allow her the freedom she had currently, and Alyss was not willing to live in another cage. Yet she knew that her future was not the only thing in the balance. If she refused to marry Hugh then her father would be in debt, and there was a strong chance that they would lose their ancestral home. At least she could ensure that her tenants would be looked after and that the lands would remain in her family as Hugh's wife. Reality hit her then, and she sank to her knees as she let her tears flow freely once more.
"I am so sorry my love." Edgar said softly as he came to say goodnight an hour later. Alyss was lying in front of the hearth, staring blankly at the flames. "Had I known…"
"It is not your fault father." She said quietly, her throat hoarse from crying.
"It is. I should have done more searching. If there was any other way…"
"A promise is a promise." She sighed. "I will marry him because it is my duty to do so."
"You are certain that this is what you want to do?"
"I have no option." She sighed before yawning. Edgar smiled sadly at his daughter. "It is getting late, and I have a wedding to attend in the morning."
"Then I shall say good night." He said softly, before hesitating. "I would lock your door tonight."
"Of course. Sleep well father."
"I love you Alyss." He said before leaving. Alyss remained in front of the fire for a few more minutes before getting to her feet. She had only just reached her door when it was flung open, and she stumbled backwards from the force. A drunken Hugh locked the door behind him and leered at her, and Alyss knew exactly what he was about to do. She scanned her room for some form of weapon, but before she could grab anything, he was looming over her.
"Well, your land is worth little, so shall we see if you are worth five hundred marks?" He asked as he fiddled with his breeches. Alyss rolled out of the way and ran towards her door, but he grabbed her plait and yanked her backwards. She cried out in pain and her heart was racing as she realised exactly what he was about to do. She struggled against him as he tore at her dress, but he was far too strong for her.
"No!" She shouted, then screamed for help, hoping that someone would hear her. Hugh slapped her, then produced a knife and held it close to her throat.
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Nettleworth is mine regardless, and you're not the first woman I've killed. Such a tragedy that you would take your life the night before your wedding…" He warned, and Alyss knew he had her trapped.