Disclaimer to all things RH unfortunately.

Here's Chapter 6...Thanks again for the reviews, your suggestions have really helped. So, here is the dinner with Guy. Enjoy!

The sun had just begun to set as Marian's carriage pulled up to Lockesly Manor. Even after all this time, Marian still thought of it as Robin's house. It was their playplace as children and the site of many long evening walks as they grew older. Stop it! She told herself, shaking her head as if to get rid of the thoughts. You are to be Lady Gisborne, you can't be fantasizing about an outlaw.

Even if he was her match in every way.

When Marian walked up to the door of the manor, she found not Sir Guy, but his steward, Thornton, who informed her that Guy was in the dining hall with the Sheriff. He offered to escort her, but Marian declined, knowing that if she went alone, she would be able to hear something about the animals and their trainer.

So, she walked quickly and quietly through the door and stopped right before the entrance to the dining hall, so that she would not be seen. Sure enough, Gisborne was standing there with the Sheriff, who was actually sitting, painting his toenails black again, his face filled with that malicious glee.

"Honestly, Gisborne, that idea of mine is absolutely brilliant, don't you think?" the balding sherriff licked his lips with excitement.

Gisborne kept his stony stare, "My lord, I still don't understand why you would have animals guard the tax money, when I have very capable men-"

Vaisey stopped what he was doing and stood up abruptly, "Capable? Your men?" he practically shouted, "Tell me, Gisborne," he lowered his voice a little, "Tell me, how many times has Hood got passed those goons of yours?hmmm? Think they do a good job eh? A clue? No!" now the little man smiled "No, you see Gisborne, animals, unlike people have one track minds. They think about eating and only eating when they are hungry, and sleeping and only sleeping when they are tired. So, when little Robin Redbreast decides to find it, because you and I both know he will, he will become, shall we say, cat food, among other things?" his smile turned into ridiculous cackling as he sat down again. "Ahh, it's just brilliant." Vaisey took and deep breath and clapped his hands together, just anticipating the victory. Then, his voice turned business like, "So, Gisborne, when is your leper to arrive?"

Gisborne seemed a little unnerved when the Sheriff referred to Marian as a 'leper' but didn't say anything about it, "Lady Marian is due to arrive at any moment to join me for dinner."

The Sheriff rolled his eyes, "Well la di da di da. Forgive me, Gisborne, for not staying, but I'd rather not listen to you whisper words of love into Lady Marian's ear. So, I'm off. Till tomorrow then."And with that, he hopped off his chair and strode towards the door. Marian knew she had to present herself fast before any suspicion arose so she entered the room before the Sheriff had the chance to leave it.

"Sheriff" Marian said formally and coolly while curtseying, "Sir Guy" she spoke warmly to her betrothed with a smile just for him. Inside, however, she was cringing at this aggravating charade.

"Ah, Lady Marian, we were just talking about you." Vaisey looked at her like one might observe an insect. "You must forgive me, I have to go back to Nottingham. Sheriff business, you know, nothing a woman would understand." he smirked at his own remark. It took all of Marian's willpower to not scowl at the tiny man, but his widening smirk suggested that she failed. With that, the Sheriff left the hall, humming something ridiculously to himself.

For a moment Guy and Marian just stood in silence. Marian stared at the floor and she knew that Guy was staring at her.

"Guy-"

"Marian-" they both spoke at the same time.

"I am sorry," Guy said slowly, "Please continue.

She gave him a little smile, "I just wanted to thank you for inviting me to dinner." She forced her smile wider, she knew how it pleased him to see her happy, "What were you going to say?" she asked politely.

"I was going to invite you to sit down, I shall inform the servants that we are ready for dinner." he paused for a moment, "You do not need to thank me for the invitation. Soon this will be your home." he smiled a little.

"Indeed." Marian agreed as she sat down at the table. Her stomach churned at the thought. She gave Guy a quizzical look when she saw that he was still standing. Thank God he took the hint and sat down himself, even if it was rather awkwardly and hasty. The awkward silence resumed between them once more. Marian frowned inwardly, wondering if this was how their lives were going to be, unpleasant small talk. However, she refocused herself, thinking of a way to try and get more information out of him. It was sheer luck that the Sheriff and Guy were talking about the animals right before she entered the room, but she still needed to know if there was anything else involved.

"Why was the Sheriff here?" she asked in that sweet, innocent tone that she knew would win him over easily.

Guy gave her a neutral look, "He was here on business."

"What kind of business? It must have been something very particular to take him here at this time of day." she continued to smile and it made her feel like a fool.

Guy smirked a little before he replied, "You are going to pester me until I tell you aren't you?"

Marian laughed, "Of course I am." she moved her hand closer to his and whispered, "I should like to know all of the concerns closest to your heart." Inside she was vomiting.

Guy's eyes widened with this last comment. He looked at her with open desire, "The Sheriff was telling me the latest details of his plans for Hood." he said, the deep timbre of his voice rumbling softly.

With that Marian immediately withdrew her hand to help herself to a biscuit that had recently been placed infront of them, "Oh?" she said nonchalantly, cutting it open.

Guys shoulders sagged a little, but quickly regained his composure. He knew that he just had to be patient with her, "Yes it's the Sheriffs new attempt at a sort of strongroom outside of the castle." before she could speak he added, "but that is not the concern closest to my heart." he looked at her to convey the message behind what he was saying. Marian blushed and looked away. Guy's look turned to one of concern.

"Marian, have I said something to offend you?" that was the last thing he wanted to do after the episode of Lambert, "Is it about Lambert becuase-

"Guy, everything is back in his box, remember?" she spoke forcefully and glared at him. Suddenly slightly frightened of her, he could only nod. But, Marian changed her expression quickly to that of the schooled lady she was meant to be. "How is Locksely?" she asked conversationally, pretending to look more occupied with her food than him.

This was not what Guy wanted to be talking to her about, so he changed the subject, "Marian, Are you happy?"

Marian shot him brief, but wary look, "What do you mean?" she asked carefully.

"I mean, since we came to our understanding, are you happy with the decision?" Guy made it seem like he was asking such a simple question, like 'how was your day?'

"Guy, what is this about?" perhaps she could derail the entire conversation.

Guy looked at her slightly confused, why couldn't she just answer the question? "This is about me wondering if you love me?"

"Oh," was all she could say. Marian wasn't sure what to say. She could only take the lies so far. Never once had she told Guy that she loved him, even that she liked him. Now she had just dug herself a deeper hole.

"So, Marian," he continues, leaning closer to her, "Do you love me?"

"I-" before she could continue, there was the sharp but distinctive sound of a branch cracking outside the window. Both of their heads turned to the direction of the sound.

"Stay here." Guy told Marian. She nodded, wondering why everyone thought she needed protecting. Guy walked out the door, around to the window., Marian watched him look around for a moment for the source of the sound, his hand on the hilt of his sword. Just as he was about to come back in, a barrel of white powder emptied itself right on Guy's head.

"Hey, Gisborne," a familiar voice called, "I thought you could use some lightening up in your wardrobe?" Marian could imagine him giving his cheeky grin.

"Hood!" Guy growled, "Guards!" she shouted.

"Aww, have I upset you?" Robin asked, amusement evident in his voice, "Guess I'd better go. Love your new look by the way!" Robin jumped off the roof of Lockesly and scampered into the woods. However, he did stop to turn and wink and Marian before he ran away into the darkness.

And for one brief second, Marian wished that she was going with him.

TBC

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