Isabella, beginning to revive from Marian's blow to her face, found herself slung facedown over the back of a slow moving horse, while Marian's voice was asking,"Do you really think I'm heavy?"
"Not heavy," Robin's voice answered back. "Just heavier than she is."
"Heavier. That makes me feel so much better, Robin."
"You're not heavy! She was just easier to carry, is all. Once we reach Clun, I'll wake the blacksmith and get that chain off you. You'll need a good sturdy pair of boots, and some clothing. As gorgeous as you look in that nightdress, it isn't exactly the thing to wear on an ambush."
"Do you think I'm fat?"
"Marian! I just said you're gorgeous! I meant it."
"Then why did you say I was heavy?"
"I never did! In fact, I told you again and again just now that you're not. I think what I first said was she's lighter." He groaned, and they didn't speak for a time.
Isabella's head hurt and it didn't help to be jostled upside down while the horse plodded its way through the forest. At least the rain that had fallen all day had finally stopped.
Robin spoke to Marian again. "Sorry about the horse. He's no Fauvel. He's all I could find, but he serves, I think."
"He's fine. I only hope I won't break his back, being so heavy."
"Marian! What do I have to say, to convince you I don't think you're heavy?"
She didn't answer, and Isabella lifted her aching head and looked about her in the moonlight. The first thing she noticed was Robin, or to be more exact, the back of him, walking alongside the horse. Isabella decided to let him know she was awake. "Could you help me sit up, please?" she asked.
The horse stopped, and Isabella realized that Marian, who was seated in front of her, must have reined him.
Robin's somewhat amused gaze met her irritated one. "Welcome to Sherwood," he told her. "Of course I'll help you up. It'll be a bit tricky, with your right ankle chained to my wife's left one. You'll either have to ride backwards or sit sideways. Do you have a preference?"
"Sideways, as long as you promise to catch me if I fall off."
"You won't fall. Trust me, the horse can't move any faster than a slow plod. We're on our way to Clun, to unchain the pair of you." He helped her to sit upon the back of the horse with both her legs over one side.
Being so near him, with his hands lifting her and his manner so charming, made Isabella yearn for him all over again. She decided to try to lure him with her words. "You remember the day we were chained together. Do you know why I tried to misdirect you away from Clun, that day?" she asked him.
"So you admit my way was the right one," Robin said, then began explaining to Marian what had happened the day Gisbourne chained him to Isabella.
"She already told me the story," Marian said, "except she added you were in a compromising position when he caught you."
"She lied. I doubt I did so much as kiss her that day. I really can't remember, not that I want to." Speaking again to Isabella, Robin guessed, "I assume you weren't ready to be unchained from me?"
Isabella seethed, then tried a different tactic. "Of course you know the legend of Lady Godiva," she said, her voice seductive. "Here I am on horseback. Care to loosen this lacing? My nightdress might slip right off me."
"You're so obvious," Marian said, rolling her eyes. "Robin likes a challenge. Besides, he's loyal to me."
"You must challenge him, with your frigidity. He has to work hard, does he, to get any sort of reaction from you?"
"Leave it, Isabella," Robin ordered. "Stop trying to dirty up what happens privately between me and my wife."
"Because it's so sacred!" Isabella mocked. "I know I cried out, 'Oh, God!' when I came with you, but I wasn't thinking anything holy, believe me!"
"Shut up!" Robin said, truly angry. "Marian," he pleaded, "I'm sorry."
"Could we gag her?" Marian asked.
"Good idea."
Gagged, Isabella assumed the outlaws would let her ride the horse alone back to Nottingham once she and Marian were no longer chained together. But she was dismayed to find Robin blindfolding her, once their errand in Clun had been successful. She was forced to ride behind Marian on the horse.
No longer chained or barefoot, Marian wore a pair of boots with her nightdress. Robin carried a bundle of clothing he'd paid for in Clun.
"I told you I'd find more clothes for you," he said proudly.
"You're a wonderful provider," Marian happily teased him. Her mood had lightened once she'd been unshackled. She was happy to be returning to camp with Robin, safe from their unpleasant adventure in Nottingham. "I love our home! I'm very happy, living there with you."
"I'm happy, too." He stopped short of telling her he loved her, only because Isabella was listening.
Isabella wanted to gag, but couldn't, since she was already literally gagged.
Reaching camp after a long slow trip, Robin finally removed Isabella's blindfold and her gag.
She was surprised to find herself in a much smaller shelter than the camp she'd seen before. There was nothing but pegs on the walls and a double bed here, and no other outlaws.
"What happened to your camp?" she asked.
"It's still here. This is just where Marian and I sleep. Have a seat, Isabella."
"So, are the three of us going to sleep here tonight? Prince John gave you ideas, did he, Robin?"
"We're not going to sleep, not yet."
"We're not?" Marian asked, disappointed because she was so very tired.
"You may," Robin told her lovingly. "I need to question Isabella first."
"Can't it wait until morning?" Isabella begged. "I'm every bit as tired as she is."
"You'll tell me more if I won't let you sleep," Robin said. "Now, where is the king?"
Isabella groaned. "In Austria, as you guessed. That is all I know!"
"You know more than that," Robin said quietly. "You know he's locked in a castle dungeon. What castle, Isabella? You can have my place in bed, as soon as you tell me."
"Can I have you in bed with me?" she asked.
"No. I won't be going to bed tonight."
"There's your bunk in the camp, Robin," Marian offered, kindly.
"And entirely too many weapons here to leave her unguarded, in spite of your strong right hook." He winked at his wife. Then, turning again to face his captive, he pursued, "Isabella, I'm asking you again, where is King Richard?"
"All I know is Austria. I've never been there. Now, if it were France, I'd have a better idea, being half French myself."
"Your mother was French?" Marian asked, not knowing that about Guy.
"We lived in France for a time, after King Henry stole our village in Yorkshire."
"We're talking about King Richard now," Robin reminded them. "Duke Leopold's capital is Vienna, but I doubt he's holding the king there. I suspect Richard's not too far. I need a map!"
"Perhaps you want me to draw you one?" Isabella asked snidely.
"No, just tell me what you know."
"You're wasting your breath, Robin. I'll never tell. You'd go there and rescue him, and where would that leave me?"
"I'd vouch for you, if you help me now."
Isabella pretended to weigh her options, then said, "Forget it, Robin Hood! Prince John wants his brother dead. Once he receives word of your precious king's death, he will be crowned king! All I have to do to gain power is continue to entertain the prince. Not an easy task, considering how quickly he grows bored, but one I'm definitely skilled at, as you can surely attest."
"You're committing treason. Think about it, Isabella. Do you know what the penalty for treason is?"
"For Guy, or for me? In case you've forgotten, I'm a woman. I could show you, if you'd like me to undress." His steely glare stopped her attempt at seduction. She continued by saying, "I can always plead helplessness. Everything I did, I was forced to do, under duress. Oh, save me! save me! You saved me once yourself, Robin. I made a very fetching damsel in distress, don't you think?"
Robin looked disgusted, then glanced toward Marian for support. She had already fallen asleep.
Isabella saw his gaze change. His entire face spoke of his tender, abiding love toward his wife. Isabella longed for him to look at her that same way. "She's fallen asleep," she mentioned. "In a way, that leaves us alone together. Is there anything at all I can do for you, Robin, to make you like me better?"
"You can tell me where the king is."
Isabella slowly shook her head no, then pulled at the lacing of her nightdress. It dropped off her shoulders then slid completely off her. "Take me, Robin Hood," she said, her voice low and seductive.
"Get dressed," he ordered. "The interview's over for tonight. You'll be sleeping with my gang, in my former bunk. Sorry I'll need to tie you up. But I can't risk Much or Allan falling asleep, as they take turns guarding you."
"Tie me up? I had no idea your proclivities were so naughty, Robin!"
She made no move to cover her nakedness, so Robin seized her nightdress himself and pulled it over her head. "Come on," he ordered. "As much as I hate it, you're my prisoner, Isabella, until you tell me where the king is." When she didn't move, he picked her up and slung her over his shoulder as he'd done earlier, then carried her to his main camp. She secretly watched him pull the lever that opened the camp, storing it in her mind.