Chapter 5

The answer came with a soft knock on the door, so soft and almost timid that it would have given away the culprit even if Marian hadn't known that Robin never bothered with doors when windows would do.

"Come in!" she called, and took a deep breath to steel herself as Guy stepped in.

"Marian," he greeted her cautiously, like a child about to be reprimand by his parents.

"Guy," she replied coolly. "You've been avoiding me."

"I did not think I would be welcome," he admitted.

You're not, she wanted to say, but held her tongue.

"I know you're angry about what I did and said," he continued, "but please believe me that I did not mean to presume anything. I've kept away so that you don't get the wrong impression, and because I thought it would do you no favours to be seen with me."

"If you think that, then why are you here now?"

"I'm not blind Marian, or deaf – I know what is being said about you. I wanted to make sure you were alright. Believe the worst in me if you must, but I care- I can understand why you're angry with me."

You care about me, do you? His stumble did not get past her. You're doing a fine job of showing it, leaving me here to deal with it all by myself... Then it registered what he had been saying. He'd been staying away to avoid adding further fuel to the fire. And she would have presumed he was only there to press his case, had he shown up earlier.

"But you're here now."

"Yes," he cleared his throat and straightened up slightly. "I thought you might like a change of scenery – to get away from the castle for a while. Tomorrow I ride to Kirklees to see the abbot on business for the sheriff. Would you-"

"Yes." She answered before he'd even finished asking, so desperate was she to get away from the castle. "I would love to come."

Her sudden reply seemed to surprise him, and it took him a second to respond. "Good," he said brusquely, though he couldn't hide his delight completely. "I will have your horse saddled for after breakfast. I will see you then?"

She nearly laughed at how he managed to doubt even after she had so vehemently displayed her desire to come, but held it back and gave him a brief smile. "Goodbye, Guy."

He smiled back, and when the door closed behind him she sank back into her chair gratefully, feeling like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders for the first time in ages. Her head felt clearer already, and the tightness in her chest had begun to lessen. Odd as it seemed, she was really looking forward to the outing tomorrow with him.

"Well isn't that cosy?" came a voice from behind her.

Marian shot up and whirled around, as tense as a bowstring once again. Sure enough, crouched on the windowsill, his face betraying his accusation, was Robin.