CHAPTER 2

Quite lost in thought of what would make an inexpensive, delightful picnic to the woods, I missed the closing of the front door, and then a familiar voice froze me in my path. "Good afternoon, Lindson. My men and I are famished and need a supper immediately."

"Of course, Sir Guy," Lindson responded smartly, immediately ignoring me. His eyes shifted to the left, indicating that I should move off, but I didn't dare turn to face the owner of that deep baritone that I had heard last week. Instead, I lingered at the bread counter, gently examining this roll and that, trying to dawdle my way towards the corner of the store and its exit. I thanked heaven for the long cloak and hood Father had insisted I wear against the cold. It was a deep sea green, and might have even passed for a lady's cloak from the back, if I was careful with my manners.

I sensed his presence near and behind me, also examining the wares of the store, and tried to turn so that I could use peripheral vision to avoid looking him in the face. While blurred, I vaguely made out a figure, still right by the door, and clad entirely from head to toe in black leather. His height was impressive and movements languid at the same time, as if he was in no hurry. Yet I sensed that somehow his attention had pinpointed and focused on myself, the only other customer in the shop. An edge of panic rising, I began casually taking loaves out of my basket and returning them to Lindson's trays. I had to leave as quickly as possible. I felt my face flushing out of nerves and anxiety, and was near done with my task when I turned and was confronted immediately with his formidable physique blocking my path.

"My lady, have you finished with your purchase?" he intoned in that irresistible and merciless voice.

Not daring to look up, I slowly replied. "N-no my lord, but I had thought to return later. Once others have made theirs," I stammered.

"I assure you there is no need for that," he mused seductively. "The Sheriff has great patience. He is even known to assist those less fortunate." I felt rather than saw his gloved hand reaching for my basket. Moving backwards, and still attempting to conceal my face, I ejected,

"My thanks, my lord, but I am able to pay for my own goods. I have no need of charity." Aware of this social insolence, I clumsily moved backwards to avoid touching him, and awkwardly stepped on my own cloak. This caused me to nearly trip and fall, and I grabbed at a nearby post for balance, the motion upsetting my hood and letting it fall free along with my hair. I was face to face with him, though I didn't dare to look up at my societal superior. Terrified, I waited for him to strike me or throw me out of the shop for my impudence.

My surprise could not have been greater when a black-gloved hand gently turned my face upwards to look into his. I immediately found myself blushing with the boldness of this gesture, but didn't dare to move. My own breath was stunted as I looked up at the man that terrified half of the county.

The moment itself was most disarming. I had expected an ugly, scab ridden noble with pockmarks and a cruel expression twisting his lips. As my eyes traveled upwards past broad shoulders and a slender frame, I was most overwhelmed by this man's great height of over six feet and forceful masculinity, rendering me speechless. I looked into his face, which was rakishly handsome, with an aquiline nose and piercing blue eyes above it that bore into my own. His lips paused in what appeared to be mid-remark as he looked at me hungrily. For a moment, this odd regard lasted as I attempted to regain my composure, eventually breaking away from his stare and childishly saying. I will buy my own goods, though I thank the Sheriff for his generosity."

The look of surprise in his face was nearly comical, with more than a hint of amusement. "My lady," he said, "why are we not acquainted? I have never seen you at the Manor."

"I have not been presented, my lord, as I have lived with my aunt in London for many years, though I was bred here." I hurriedly began tossing random breads, cheeses and meats into my basket to move away from him and complete my purpose for the shop visit. Back in motion and away from that disturbing gaze, I rushed to the counter to pay for my meal, spilling coins onto the counter as I hastily opened my purse. Lindson appeared hastily, attempting to scoop most of them up.

It was then that a black clad arm covered my hand and the coins. I felt him immediately behind me, my back against his chest, and that overwhelming scent of sun worn leather in my immediate consciousness. His face was nearly next to mine, only a few inches apart, as he murmured, "Accept this then as my gift to you, my lady, and the Sheriff's, as a welcome home to Nottingham County." He turned his head every so slightly, so close now I could feel his breath on my cheek, leaning across me to reach for several of the most expensive cheeses in the shop, three rings of sausage, and some dried wildflowers, all of which he placed in my basket. My face flushed at this gesture, and he saw my body stiffen.

"I do hope you will not be offended, as it is intended as a gift, and not charity." While his words were soft, I could tell from his eyes that I was not to reject this offer. Smiling nervously, I turned away, my face scarlet, and said, "My thanks, my lord." I pulled the hood of my cloak gently around my face and straightened my posture, heading resolutely towards the door. He allowed me to pass, still following me with that disquieting gaze, when I heard him call out,

"My lady, a moment."

Nearly free of this awkward experience, I almost stamped my foot in annoyance. Turning back with a winning smile, I answered, "Yes, my lord?"

He crossed the room, his eyes devouring my face as he said, "I have not learned your name, and I will whether you tell me or not. I am Sir of Gisbourne, and Locksley. And you, my lady?"

"Nyssa…of the House of Wooln," I answered swiftly. His brow furrowed in unfamiliarity, then smoothed over. As I turned to leave, his seductive baritone followed me with the words,

"You smell charmingly of lilies, my lady."

When I arrived home I immediately set up supper and put the dried flowers onto the table for Father to enjoy as the end of his day approached. Mother had always found them in the forest and done this on special evenings, and we had rejoiced at the sight of them. Father soon came in, his arms tired from stretching and dying the wool in the vats, but looking pleased with himself as the work had speeded up since I had come home. He sat at the table while I began to serve our meal, then stopped suddenly as he saw the fresh cheeses and meats from the shop laid out, along with garden vegetables I had cooked. His eyes widened.

"Nyssa, where did you get this? I sent you to Lindson's for bread and a bit of sliced meat, not French cheese and victuals! Tonight's dinner will cost us for over a month!" His face became a dark cloud until I held out the five coins he had given me for payment.

"Do not worry so," I scolded him lightly. "The food is ours and you must eat it, Father or it certainly will cost us for over a month in labor production."

"Nyssa...please tell me you didn't steal." His voice was now very concerned.

I sighed, not wanting to explain. "Father, there is not only this but three rings of sausage and more cheese in the storage room besides. I have done well today; I hoped you would be happy."

"And so I would if I only had known how," Father said. I could hear that his patience was wearing thin, and I really didn't want to tell him what had happened.

"Suppose..." I began, sitting down and holding his hand. "…that another citizen felt they should welcome us by providing us with this food."

"Unless it was Lindson, I should be suspicious," Father countered. "Was it another farmer, or gardener in trade? Dawson with his three acres or the dairy farmer close by?"

I sighed. "No Father." Now I looked him in the face, my heart rate speeding up. "While I tried to be discreet, I happened to be in the shop at the same time as Sir Guy."

"He saw you?" Father gasped.

"Of course he saw me," I snapped back. "And you should know I very well tried to leave before he did so, but it couldn't be helped, and here we are with a store of food because of it."

Now Father's face truly darkened. "What did you give him, then?"

A snake of anger began to writhe below my heart, and I felt tears prick my vision. "Nothing," I said hastily, swiping at my eyes. "Nothing. I gave him nothing, Father, but he would not let me leave until I accepted this food. As I showed you, he would not allow me to pay for it."

"Of course he wouldn't, you silly girl, because this means you now owe him a favor, and I wonder what he will expect it to be," Father said, glowering. "I told you to wear your cloak in town and keep your hood up! And I told you to mind those around you; Sir Guy is dangerous! I shouldn't have to tell you what form of payment he has extracted from my trading partners and their families! I wanted to save you from that!"

"Well as God as my witness, it could not be helped!" I cried, slamming my hands on the table. "I tried to leave the store before he saw me. I was prepared to leave with noting, but he blocked my path and refused to let me leave until he had paid for my purchases! I gave him a false name, Father! He doesn't know where we live or anything of the sort!" Now my tears were flowing freely. "Would you rather I had defied him for a worse fate, and been sent to prison for it?"

"I would rather you had been born with some sense," Father replied darkly, getting up from the table. "Sir Guy has crippled my colleagues, overtaxed me for years and never shown any pity to those in need. I will not eat the scraps of his bribe." Turning from the table to go the bedroom, he tossed back at me,

"I would rather eat his shit."

Like a knife in my chest, the words found their mark, and I wept as I sat looking at the beautiful feast we were to enjoy. Still weeping, I wrapped up the remains of the food, and put the five coins from Father back into my purse for safekeeping.

The worst of it was that I had known every part of Father's diatribe was true, and I was already terrified of the consequence of today's meeting. As I put on my chemise, I knew that Sir Guy had meant what he said about finding me out. Once he discovered that I had given a false name and was not a lady of the court, he would be furious and no doubt others would feel his wroth.