Gossip flew in whispers through Aunt Mary's chamber. Luckily, Marian's aunt was partially deaf and did not hear the salacious story being whispered by the young women while they sewed.

"Ralph says Robin bragged he and Marian have already done it," Gladys told others.

The other young ladies were shocked yet thrilled, blaming Marian for being a "harlot" while secretly envying her and feeling they wouldn't be able to resist Robin of Locksley either.

Lady Audrey of Glasson, sewing the hem of Marian's wedding gown, frowned. She refused to believe the story, knowing Robin to be chivalrous and deeply in love. Even if he and Marian had given themselves to one another before marriage, Audrey could not imagine Robin boasting of it and ruining Marian's name and reputation. "More stitching and less gossip," she told the younger women, letting them see her disapproval. "Ugly stories come from ugly people."

Just at that moment, Marian entered the room.

She heard the girls gasp and felt their curious stares. Wondering what they might be thinking of her, she quickly dismissed them by rolling her eyes before approaching her aunt. "Robin is outside the door, wishing to see you," she told her. "Could everyone please hide any garments for my wedding or trousseau, and work on your own embroidery?"

"A little late to be hiding her undergarments," Gladys whispered, causing her friends to burst into fits of giggles. Marian, unaware of Gladys' words, rolled her eyes again, assuming the giggling stemmed from "Locksley Fever." There was a strong outbreak of it, she knew. Even her sour elderly aunt had been susceptible.

Aunt Mary had planned to give Marian a tongue lashing for choosing to attend the men's Council of Nobles rather than sit with her and work on her sewing and embroidery. But the very mention of Robin of Locksley wanting to see her put her in an excellent mood. "You heard my niece," she ordered the girls. "Hide everything!"

Lady Audrey assisted in removing all of Marian's gowns, nightdresses, and undergarments from the room. She gave Marian's arm a light, affectionate squeeze before asking her, "Anything interesting, at the council?"

"There won't be a war," Marian told her.

"Thank God! I'll have my husband tell me all about it this evening."

Just outside the door, Much was sweating.

Robin teased him. "You were ready to follow me into battle, Much, yet you're nervous about walking into a room full of ladies?"

"Don't be so cocky, Master. You're as scared as I am! Well, almost. Don't think you can hide it from me. I know you."

Robin, at ease in nearly every situation, was uncomfortable, just as Much said. He took a deep breath and told his servant, "Think how Marian feels, every time she attends the Council of Nobles. She's braver than you are!"

"Very funny! But you forget, Master, the nobles remove their weapons on their way into the chamber. These ladies will be armed with needles and scissors and I don't know what else!"

"But that's not what disturbs us, is it?"

They looked at one another, dreading being the only men in such a feminine environment.

Much continued feeling awkward, but Robin quickly became self assured after entering Aunt Mary's chambers. One thing that helped him was Marian standing beside him, holding his arm. Lady Glasson's smile was kind, and Robin was used to the admiring stares of the other women. And then, Marian's aunt's "crush" on him made him laugh.

"Still no beard, I see," Aunt Mary scolded, fondly. "When are you going to crop your hair and grow your beard? And why haven't you been to see me sooner?"

The young ladies tried to picture him in a beard, but thought him so good looking as he was, they silently objected. Most were thinking about him seducing the prim and proper Lady Marian, growing more and more jealous.

"Apologies," Robin told the old lady charmingly. "I neglected your niece as well as yourself, preparing for war. But thankfully, peace has been restored to the royal family, and to England."

"Then there won't be a war? Good. But I still insist on another archery lesson."

"My pleasure! When would you like it?"

"I haven't finished scolding you yet, young Locksley. You kept my niece out late into the night a few days ago."

"I did. And that's why I came to see you, to beg your forgiveness."

"Late at night," Gladys whispered to the girl sitting next to her. "What do you think they were doing?"

No one else had heard, least of all Aunt Mary. Smiling, yet with hardened eyes, she scolded Robin, "And I thought you came here today to visit me! You had my niece at a party. When are you planning to invite me to one of your celebrations?"

Gladys could barely contain herself. "She said he 'had' her niece!" she whispered. "She doesn't know how true it is!"

"Get the details out of Marian," the other girl begged. "I want to know!"

"Oh, believe me, I will," Gladys assured her.

Robin, not having heard, continued being gallant. "It will be my pleasure to host a party in my house," he told Aunt Mary, "in honor of your visit. When are you free?"

"Tomorrow night!" Aunt Mary decided.

"Ah, but then Marian won't be able to attend," he said meaningfully. "She has to stay in the castle for a week."

"Castle smashle!" Aunt Mary cried. She looked directly at Marian. "Your punishment is over. You're free to stay or go, so long as there's a party tomorrow night in Locksley. But I expect you to make the right choice and stay here with me, working on your embroidery."

"Yes, aunt," Marian said dutifully, thrilled to be free again.

She resolved to stay indoors and work hard, and appreciate all the help the other women were providing on her trousseau. Not all of them were sewing for her, however. They were also working on Gladys' trousseau, for her upcoming marriage to Ralph.

"Well," Robin said, pleased he was able to end Marian's punishment so easily, "I had better go. I have a party to plan. I'll see you tomorrow night."

Although he spoke the words to Aunt Mary, he clearly was addressing Marian. He grinned and winked at her and Marian smiled fondly back at him. "Ladies," he said, before going.

Letting out his breath he had seemed to be holding the entire time they were in Aunt Mary's sewing chamber, Much finally allowed himself to breathe again before retreating through the door after Robin.

Lady Glasson and the others retrieved the clothing they had been sewing before Robin's visit, and Marian chose a chemise on which she had begun embroidering tiny rosebuds. Seating herself beside Gladys, Marian smiled as she sewed, thinking of Robin.

"Go ahead," the girl on the other side of Gladys begged, nudging her. "Ask Marian for the details, now."