A/N-Dedicated to Jordan
Will, a disarming smile etched from ear to ear, sat at a club across from Percy, his old friend.
"You've got he smile of a cat that caught the proverbial canary. Give over, chap."
"Another Locksley is expected at the turn of the year," he explained, his face beaming as if he had something to do with it.
"You don't say," Percy turned and called out, "Here, here chaps, Robin's expecting an heir come January. Pull out your wagering book and let's make our wagers, chaps!"
For once, Will dismissed the odds and probabilities, instead he wagered purely on desire-fifty thousand pounds on a girl!
"John, what a surprise. Do come in, darling."
"Put on your finery, Jezel." He picked her up, twirling her around and around. "Come now, Jezel, get dressed and hurry along." He patted her bottom as she rushed to do his biding.
John threw himself into a nearby chair, a satisfied smirk etched on his face.
"Darling, what's this about?" Jezel called from her room.
"We are celebrating in style, love. The theater, dinner, drinking, and loving. Now, hurry along, Jezel."
"What are we celebrating?"
"Procreation," he shouted.
"What?" she asked as she appeared, a look of confusion crossing her delicate features.
"Another Locksley's expected!"
The bursting blossoms of the wild roses of June in no way compared to Regina's radiant bloom; all blushing, pinks and reds.
Tiny fruits began to appear out of the blossoms, the bees were plump with nectar, and the birds brooded over their eggs while their mated brought them food. Regina, the fourth month of her pregnancy ending, shone with the sunny beginnings of life, growing in harmony with nature.
Sitting on the garden wall, she found that the sweet fragrances that hung heavy in the air threatened her queasy stomach. God, she hated this accursed morning illness, she hated the lethargy, her moodiness. God, she hated it all!
A flock of birds flew overhead and she shaded her eyes and longingly watched them, envying their freedom.
She muttered to herself, "Can't go without an escort, must ride Sugar Plum, must use a sidesaddle, and on and on."
Everyone hovered over her, Germane, Mortimer, Keegan. She couldn't move without someone asking where she was headed. She felt as if she were a child, not carrying one!
Even Robin had turned into an overbearing monster, placing more restrictions upon her freedom every day. Why, he even set John and Will as "guards" who no doubt reported her every action to him. Well, no more!
She heard the tread of footsteps and her lips tightened in rebellion, knowing for certain the "guards" had been set upon her. Lifting her skirts, she turned, fleeing from the garden, in pursuit of her freedom.
By noon the alarm was set off, for Regina was nowhere to be found. No one wished to be the bearer of bad news, especially since the Duke had been extremely short tempered today, demanding no interruption.
Standing outside the study door with fist poised to strike, Mortimer turned once again to Germane, who timidly nodded. He knocked.
"Enter," Robin called out in annoyance. Looking up over the contract in hand, he glanced at Mortimer, asking more harshly than intended. "Well, what is it?"
"Her Grace is missing."
"Exactly what do you mean by 'missing'?"
"As in gone, without a trace, sir."
Standing abruptly, throwing down the contract, Robin strode from the room. Reaching the stables, his mood little improved, Robin asked John, who just emerged from the stable, "Any mounts missing?"
A negative shake of his head was John's response, noticing the anger in Robin's face.
"Keegan, get my mount!" Robin shouted.
"The chicken escape the coop again?" John asked lightly.
Impatiently slapping his gloves against his thigh, Robin reported, sharply. "It would appear so." Then he mounted and was off.
John and Keegan shook their heads, thankful they were not Regina.
"What a fine pair we make, Duchess, soon we'll be rounded and cumbersome." She patted the pregnant mare's head, which was lowered, munching the sweet green grass. Walking barefoot through the meadow grass, holding the lead rope to Duchess's halter, Regina stopped to pick a flower, laying it in the basket hanging from her arm. She knew she had wandered outside the newly imposed boundaries, but didn't care. She was free again!
The pounding of hooves caused her to turn. Galloping up the crest on Mercury was Robin, who reached her, pulling the stallion to a halt.
Duchess, scenting the stallion, began to prance and fuss, Regina tried to calm the mare. Duchess would have none of it, backing, thus pulling forcibly on the rope.
"Leave her. Let go of the rope," Robin shouted at her, his voice edged in fear. Mercury began prancing, catching the mare's scent, and it took all of Robin's control to hold him.
"I said let go of the rope, Regina."
Before she could, Duchess reared up, pulling the rope through Regina's hands, burning the soft skin. The mare's front hooves came down inches from Regina. Robin reacted, moving Mercury forward, cutting the thrashing hooves from their target-Regina.
Regina cried out,"Robin, she's running away, do something!"
When he didn't respond, she turned to find him glaring down at her. Leaning forward and in a stern voice with no vestige of sympathy in its hardness, he spoke, spacing the words evenly. "Madame, you have exceeded your bound today. If you were not with child, I'd told you over my knee and spank you as you deserve. You have been told, repeatedly, not to leave without an escort, not to go wandering about, to inform someone of your whereabouts. What you have done today is place yourself and my child in danger. You will not, I repeat, will not leave the confines of our home without me!"
"How dare you! I am not some errant child and will not allow you to treat me as such!" she screamed back.
"Don't push me, madame. You behave as a child and should be treated as one. I will, if necessary, lock you in our room, thereby assuring myself of your safety and gaining some peace of mind, knowing that where I put you, I will find you."
Regina stood her ground when Robin moved his mount forward, refusing to let him intimidate her. A not so nice smiled crossed his face and he lifted her onto the saddle. He nudged his horse forward. Regina sat ramrod straight to avoid touching him.
Regina's chair remained conspicuously empty at dinnertime. Germane had announced that Regina would not be down for dinner.
Will finished his meal and, laying down his fork and knife, picked up his wine and regarded Robin.
"Well, Robin," he began, breaking the silence, "what are the new rules pertaining to Regina?" Without allowing for comment, he continued, "Are we to shackle her with ball and chain or perhaps just lock her in her room?" Will smiled at Robin's narrowed eyes and proceeded. "I'd suggest if you intend to lock her up, you consider barring the windows as well." Will sipped his wine, gauging the effect of his words, and added, "She is resourceful. Of course, I don't have to tell you that, do I?"
Refusing to be drawn, Robin replied, "She is not to leave the confines of the house without me."
"Well, that certainly makes all of our jobs easier since you're leaving tomorrow."
"Don't cross me on this, Will. I've listened to you plead her case all afternoon. Nothing has changed. You were not there when the mare nearly struck her down. As it is, her hands are badly burnt and cut."
"I told you, Robin, she's like a mare in season, skittish, restive, variable. Locking her up will not help."
"Believe me, Will. I am aware of it. I am only pulling back on her bit, she'll have her head soon. A clearer one, I hope." He lifted his glass and finished the remnants of his wine.
"I hardly think she'll see it that way."
"No, I'm sure she considers me quite arbitrary."
"More like tyrannical, I'd say."
"No doubt, but my orders stand until I return."
As Robin entered the sitting room, Germane walked out of the bedchamber carrying the dinner tray.
Eyeing the untouched plate, he questioned his wisdom of his actions. Germane put him at ease. "She'll not starve, Your Grace. What ye did was for her down good. She's a bit headstrong, but she'll come around."
Robin smiled down at the wrinkled face. "I suspect you're right, Germane."
He entered the bedchamber and stood at the foot of the bed, his fingers working the buttons of his shirt. He gazed down at Regina, who was sound asleep from the laudanum he had lightly laced her wine with. His eyes were drawn to the white bandages on her hands. He was thankful that was her only injury.
He slipped into bed, pulling Regina into his arms. He smelled the fresh fragrance of violets, inhaling deeply, savoring the scent and feel of her in his arms. He planned to be gone for a while and hadn't told her yet. He needed to clear up some business problems so he could be with her now as well when the baby came.
Two weeks seemed an eternity without her, for he would miss her greatly.
Upon learning Robin was gone and noticing a servant posted at each door, Regina stormed up to her room. She remained closeted for four days, unaware that Daniel had come by. As she refused to speak with anyone or open her door, Daniel's message was never received. However, by the fifth day, feeling her solitude sharply, Regina emerged to wander silently through the manor. She moved listlessly from room to room, feeling the void of Robin's presence. The anger she felt for Robin turned toward herself when she admitted how very close she had come to injuring herself and the baby. The anger quickly turned to sadness, knowing they parted with harshness between them. She yearned for the time to pass and waited anxiously for Robin's return. In the meantime she sought the study, knowing she'd feel closer to him.
Sitting behind his desk, her chin in hand, she smiled, content with the thought Robin loved her, and more surprisingly, she loved him. A gleam lit her eyes, thinking of images of a quiet, moonlit supper and a night of passion quieted her mind, and for the first time in five days, tomorrow couldn't arrive too soon.
Deciding to play solitaire, Regina opened the desk drawer, looking for a deck of cards. Shuffling the papers within, she removed a stack of them.
"Ah, there you are." She snatched the cards, knocking the pile of papers to the floor. "Bloody hell!"
Bending to retrieve the loose papers, she pauses noticing thte large folder marked "Daniel"
Curious, she opened the file and began to read.
"It can't be true," Regina said as she held in her hand a document that paid Daniel's family quite well, right before their wedding!
She blinked, clearing the tears from her eyes, and saw a draft for 150,000 pounds. She closed her eyes to block out the truth. Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes, falling on her hand. Standing up, she turned to the window, dejectedly, resting her head against the pane. Thoughts ran helter skelter while her hands fisted in anger and denial. Betrayal was a bitter pill to swallow. Deception even harder.
He had known about Daniel, when her tears were spent, she turned from the window, walked to the desk, shuffled the papers bak into the folder, and replaced it in the drawer. She stood just as Germane announced the arrival of Daniel.
When he saw the pale, tear streaked face and banaged hands, Daniel's smile faded. He waited until the stodgy butler left before walking hurriedly toward her, asking, "Regina, what's wrong? You look dreadful."
"Oh, Daniel, thank goodness you are here. You must help me," She pleaded as tears fell unchecked.
"Of course I will. Tell me, what has happened?"
"I need to leave here, before Robin returns."
"Now, wait a minute, Regina.I know I told you I would, but I thought it over and I can't whisk you away from your husband. I know you both love one another."
"If you'll not help me, I'll escape anyhow."
Daniel saw her distress as well as her determination and knew her to be headstrong and foolish enough to leave on her own. Perhaps it was his sense of chivalry, or her desperate pleas and he consented.
"Oi, what the bloody hell are you doing here?" Will asked as he saw Daniel walking down the stairs inside the house.
"I had just thought I would congratulate Regina on her good news." With that, he turned and tripped while descending the stairs.
"Are you alright?" Will said as he went to his side and called one of the servants over.
"Fine, just my clumsiness is all, good day," Daniel said as he hurried to leave.
Will turned to the butler. "Robin's expected this evening. I've received word."
"Very good, sir. I'll inform the cook."
Handing his coat to the butler, Robin headed to the staircase, taking the steps two at a time. Turning down the hall, he covered the distance to the bedroom in long strides.
Germane gasped in surprise when Robin opened the door. She quickly curtsied. Robin nodded, impatient to see Regina, and about to enter the room. He was stopped by Germane. "Her Grace is not here."
"Do you know where I might find her?"
"No, Your Grace, perhaps Will knows."
As Robin descended the stairs in search of Will, he met him. "Ah, the prodigal son returneth. What did you do, work around the clock? I understood you'd be gone two weeks."
"I managed to accomplish far more than I anticipated."
Entering the study, with Will in tow, Robin scanned the room for Regina, adding. "John and Killian are expected. I received word just this morning." He accepted the glass of brandy Will handed him.
They drank in companionable silence until Robin asked, "Where is Regina?"
"About I suspect." In answer to Robin's unasked question, Will continued. "She's fine, a bit subdued. Stayed hidden but came out today."
Robin smiled. "Nothing unusual happen?"
"She didn't escape, if that's what you mean. There was no tantrums that I know about. Oh that stable boy came by, and managed to fall down the stairs." Will said.
Dinner was announced shortly after. Upon entering the dining room, Robin noted Regina's absence and demanded. "Where's the duchess?"
The footman, serving girls, and butlers looked at one another and then turned to Robin. Icy fear twisted his heart and knotted his stomach as he read the answer in their eyes. He abruptly left the room, summoning everyone.
"Thank you, Germane, that will be all."
"But...but where can she be?" Germane sniffled. "She didn't take her shawl." She wept softly, leaving the study.
Robin, running his fingers through his hair, leaned forward in his chair. In a controlled voice he stated, "Send in the stable hand, Will."
Will stood at the mantal listening to Robin ask the same questions over and over again. Shortly the stable hand was dismissed.
Suddenly the study door was thrown open by a swaggering Killian, followed by John. "Jesus, Robin, terrific homecoming. We're greeted by weeping servants and hysterical maids. Where's the funeral?" Throwing himself down in a nearby chair, one leg dangling over its arm, he looked from Robin to Will.
John, realizing something was amiss, inquired, "Is it the baby?"
"No" was all Robin said.
"Where is the beautiful mother to be? We've brought some special tidbits to tease that finicky appetite of hers and those unusual cravings expectant mothers have."
From his station at the mantal, Will dryly replied. "We seem to have temporarily misplaced her."
"How in the hell do you misplace a mother to be?" Killian asked.
Robin filled John and Killian in, concluding, "One thing is for sure, she didn't leave here alone. There is no mount missing, and since search parties have not found her, it's safe to assume she didn't travel by foot."
"I'd say the stable boy that she was once fond of has something to do with her disappearance." Killian said.
"And his fall was a ruse to divert the servants," added Will.
A muscle twitched in Robin's jaw, his voice cold and exact. "He has her."
"Well, man, let's not sit here! Let's take back what's ours and rid ourselves, permanently, of the twit," John said, declared, standing up, ready to do battle.
"Wait a minute, did she leave willingly?" Killian asked.
"What the hell difference does that make? She's a Locksley, carrying a Locksley. She belongs right here!" John said.
While the others argued heatedly, Robin absently looked at the sheet of paper he picked up from the floor. He stated irrevocably, "Regina took advantage of the stable boy's presence and sought his aid."
The others voices over lapped each other, and Robin tuned them out, by the time the rest of them were appeased, Robin had set the wheels in motion to locate and capture his quarry.
A/N-This is an OQ story, no matter how it might seem.