Chapter 4

The news spread across the castle so quickly it is almost as though its inhabitants were expecting it. Sly glances and bold stares followed her when she ventured from her room, and gossips' glee carried around every turned corner. Even the kitchen girls sniggered behind their hands when they thought she was not looking, and it took more effort than it should to sweep past them with her usual poise.

I have done nothing of the sort, she wanted to protest, but that would defeat the purpose of the lie, and no one would believe the truth anyway; they'd all seen the sheets, or else knew someone whose brother's friend's wife had.

It hurt to see how swiftly the hand of friendship could be withdrawn, but she dared not protest; Durham was only a day's ride away, and the sheriff had been unable to find another noble maiden to satisfy its earl. Marian must make do with being branded a fallen woman, and count her blessings that she was not already in that lech's bed.

That still left her with a problem though: Sir Guy of Gisborne. She had managed to avoid him up until now but she could not do so forever, not when he had risked his own neck and saved hers by claiming her as his betrothed. But what now? She could not marry him, that much was certain, but neither could she turn him in and repay his protection with betrayal – not to mention give them both up to the mercy of the sheriff.

She twisted her ring anxiously on her finger. Robin. She had not heard from him either, but it was only a matter of time before he heard the news. He would appear suddenly, a wounded expression on his face and feign some innocent reason to drop in on her, before his interest turned to allegation. But what could she have done? She knew Robin would accuse her of making excuses – of making her choice – but he would not listen to her objections that she was not. She felt like an indignant wife whose husband was so convinced of her involvement with another man that he'd not even hear of her protests that she'd done nothing wrong. Guilty until proven innocent, except there was no proof that would convince him, or even get him to listen if Guy of Gisborne was involved.

Marian threw up her hands in frustration and started pacing the room. It seem that wherever she was, forest or castle, the shadow of accusation lingered over her, and she was sick of it. Sick of the maids' gossip in the corridors, sick of the guards dogging her every steps, sick of Robin's damned pig-headedness whenever Guy came into the picture, but most of all sick of Guy himself and his stupid, stupid, one act of chivalry that had gotten her into this mess. And he hadn't even had the guts to face her after his lie had done the job! No doubt he was worried about the reception awaiting him now her supposed dirty little secret was a fountain tale and tavern jape.

Coward.

Angrily she flung herself back into the chair she had just vacated and hung her head in her hands. Just what was she going to do now?

I said that I may come back and add to this fic at a later date, and while yes, this is another chapter, I'm not sure how much longer I'll be continuing it. Basically, so long as inspiration strikes I'll keep going, so here's to hoping the creative juices keep flowing! =D