Marian might have teased Robin about his "so called charms," but she knew them to be powerful. Hadn't she secretly allowed him not only into her heart, but into her bedroom at Knighton Hall as well, knowing her father forbade it? Again and again she had welcomed him through her window, though not into her bed. Robin, respecting her and being a gentleman, had stopped short of pressing for that, knowing the marriage bed awaited them. Marian knew his charms to be potent. Even so, she doubted whether even he could break through her Aunt Mary's cold, vindictive, bitter shell, causing her to be kinder.

"Go on then," she had challenged Robin. "Try to charm her. But I warn you, Locksley, even you can't move her. Her heart is cold."

"She's your aunt," he had answered cockily back. "I think I can win her over."

"Implying what? That I was easily won?"

He laughed. "I'm not completely sure I've won you yet, and you're wearing my ring!"

"You know I'm yours."

"And I'm yours." They gazed at one another and he leaned in to kiss her, causing Much to cry out, "Again? What I have to put up with! Master, you'll both miss the banquet!"

Robin gave his manservant a look and then kissed Marian anyway. "Save the first dance for me," he called to her, before disappearing with Much to locate her aunt.

Alone without her fiancé, Marian made her way to the castle's great hall, where the banquet was about to begin.

The great hall was crowded. Marian was dismayed to see her aunt already seated at the banqueting table, looking sour and grim, and her father standing behind his chair, looking stern, or as stern as he was able, waiting for her to appear.

She and Robin must have dallied over those strawberries longer than she realized! Why did time always seem to stand still when they were together? And her aunt...already here! Robin had gone to find and escort her to the banquet himself. How long before he would realize, and arrive here late and alone? And her father! Marian had certainly expected to arrive before he did. Didn't he have business to talk over with Lord Sheridan?

Recovering her poise, she placed a smile on her lips and made her way toward her father. Did she really hear a collective, audible gasp as she made her way through the ranks of men? Her ears might have deceived her, but her eyes did not. All chatter in the room grew silent. The men stood aside to allow her to pass, bowing their heads deferentially to her, their eyes appreciative.

"What a beauty!" she heard someone whisper, causing her to glow even more radiantly.

Part of her was thrilled to be so admired by men...part of her embarrassed. These noblemen might say the same thing about a pedigreed horse they were considering buying! And then she noticed a pair of eyes boring into her...unwelcome eyes that seemed to undress her.

Lord Sheridan! That old man who trained Robin and the rest of the king's knights! He strode toward her on his heavy feet, seized her hand in both of his, holding it between his hot, sweaty, meaty paws.

"You are seated beside me," he told her, leading her to her chair.

Marian managed to pull her hand away. She wanted to wipe it on her skirt, but resisted the impulse. As she sank gracefully onto her chair, she heard her Aunt Mary mutter, "I expected you, Niece, to escort me to this banquet, but I suppose you were too busy arranging your hair. I know now I can expect nothing from you, nothing but base, base ingratitude."

The remaining ladies were led to their seats by their escorts. Marian watched as Ralph led Gladys, splendid in her new gown and matching necklace, to her seat far down a second table. It would be such fun to sit with them, rather than the old "important" people tonight! But Marian accepted her duty as daughter of the sheriff.

"I am sorry I was delayed," she told her aunt, politely. "I met a friend along the way, and lost track of time."

"Robin?" her father asked. "Don't let his perpetual tardiness begin to affect you. But there's no harm. I brought your aunt myself. Ah! There's Robin! Better late than never."

Robin entered with that confidence that was uniquely his. His eyes found Aunt Mary, then sought Marian's with a "What happened?" look, both sheepish and smug. Every pair of eyes in the hall looked at him as he approached Marian and her father.

"Late again, young man," Sir Edward mildly admonished him.

"Apologies, sir. I was looking for your lady sister, being given the honor to escort her here. Your ladyship, forgive me. It seems you have eluded me, but can a summer breeze be caught? I am Robin of Locksley, and I have the pleasure of taking care of you tonight, if you'll let me."

Marian watched in amazement as Aunt Mary seemed on the verge of tittering, the way those young women had this afternoon when speaking of Robin. Her aunt, the dragon, slain already by a word and a look? Rubbish! She must have partaken in wine while she had been waiting.

"You are a fool, young man," Aunt Mary said, pleased, "but a very pretty one. Come sit by me. So, you want to marry my niece, do you? Why, in Heaven's name?"

"She is your niece. Need I say more?"

How could this be working? Marian wondered. But she knew how. It wasn't the words Robin spoke, but the way he said them.

Robin now turned and greeted Marian's escort. "Lord Sheridan," he said, his tone pleased and respectful. "I see you've already met Lady Marian, the woman I'm going to marry."

"Never marry, Locksley," Sheridan advised, sitting heavily on his chair beside Marian with a soldier's grunt. "It will ruin your life."

"He's joking, Marian," Robin said, seating himself between Marian and her aunt. "Can it be, the great Lord Sheridan is jealous?"

Conversation buzzed all around them. Aunt Mary seemed almost merry, pleased with having the handsome young Earl of Huntington seated next to her and attentive to her every whim, even while he spoke to Marian's bluff, unwelcome escort. Marian hoped the ball would be more to her liking than this banquet.

"You like feasting on venison, I believe," Lord Sheridan said, his voice growing louder over the hum of conversation. Draining his wine goblet in a single swallow, he raised an arm and signaled for a servant to bring more. "But you would stop liking it, if you had nothing but venison at every meal for the rest of your life."

Marian's father looked troubled and uncomfortable, but Robin was adept at handling such conversation. "Surely, Sir, you can't compare the holy sacrament of marriage to what you have for dinner? I expect to grow fonder of my...my wife, as the years go on." He turned his fond gaze away from Marian, resting his eyes respectfully on her Aunt Mary. "Charm and beauty only increase with age in my bride-to-be's family, it would seem."

"Fool," Aunt Mary scolded, smiling and slapping Robin's arm in a friendly, teasing manner.

Marian was appalled, then caught Robin grinning at her. He winked, and she couldn't help smiling back. What a comedy! And how wonderful to hear him call her his "bride-to-be," after all.

Servants filtered silently throughout the hall, offering rich foods and plenty of wine. Everyone seemed in good spirits except for Sheriff Knighton, who appeared troubled. Robin guessed that Lord Sheridan had brought disturbing news from King Henry's court, and he wanted to know what it was. But it wouldn't be polite to ask and ruin the banquet for the ladies. He would learn soon enough.

"Now, about your niece," he began, turning his charming attention on Aunt Mary.

Marian smiled to herself. If anyone could soften her aunt's opinion toward her, it would be Robin!