Part 8

Tuck stood at the front door of Locksley, a week later, it had been impossible to make an excuse sooner to Eli. He took a deep breath and prayed, firstly that Gisborne would be out and secondly that Eleanor would recognise him but not obviously.

He was greeted by Thornton who saw no reason why the new Lady Gisborne should not receive the company of the now respected and well known Friar Tuck who had for some time worked at the home of Eli of Knighton. Thornton knew that on occasion Tuck had consorted with Robin Hood but there again so had he and who hadn't in these parts?

Thornton had been warned by Gisborne that he would lose his own head if he allowed Lady Gisborne to leave the Manor and the poor woman was restricted to the house and front lawn when the Master was not home and not much further a field if he was. There was the exception to the rule when she was permitted to attend the poor and needy of Locksley. Thornton had heard from Lady Gisborne herself that this was part of the clause of the marriage, the one thing he had agreed on, that she was still able to help people in need as she had been doing in York. He still thought the marriage was some how forced upon Eleanor, she had certainly lost her carefree spirit that he knew her by when she had visited the manor as a child and young woman.

Thornton showed Tuck into the annex room in the downstairs of the property. Lady Gisborne was sitting serenely, a small embroidery in her hand. Tuck gave her credit as she thanked Thornton politely asking him for refreshment for their guest. After the refreshment was brought in by the serving girl, then she smiled.

She stood and wrapped her arms about him saying, "I never thought I would see someone ever again who could get word to my cousin for me."

Tuck smiled in return and told her. "Thornton should be a safe source."

"I can trust him?"

"Yes," Tuck affirmed. "Robin sent me, he is eager to know how you came to be Lady Gisborne."

"Oh," said Eleanor her face falling, "I thought he might, you see Tuck…he, Guy gave me very little choice on the matter……."

They talked for a while, Tuck reassuring her, Eleanor imparting as much information of the unfortunate event as she could until there was a knock upon the door.

Thornton opened the door and said with a regretful tone. "The Master has ridden in."

"Right," said Tuck standing, "I ought to take my leave. Lady Gisborne."

"It was good to renew your acquaintance from when I met you in York," she replied as Guy thundered into the room wanting an explanation of Tuck's visit.

"We met in York, when Eli was there," Tuck said quietly to Guy, nodding with a small bow and taking his leave.

Guy snarled something intelligible and nodded to Thornton that he should leave also.

"So, visitors already although I suppose I can not deny you the visit of a Friar."

"No you can not."

"No indeed."

Eleanor looked up at him; there was no fear in her eyes, sorrow perhaps and a will to fight whatever he threw at her. He sighed, there was one thing he hated and that was looking into Eleanor's eyes, for when he did that he saw Hood's own reflecting back and mocking him with glee.