Chapter 26: "Did the Sheriff see her?"
Wandering around at night when Marian was on his mind was Robin's pattern in recent months, but tonight was different. He purposefully slipped away from camp and returned to Knighton, curious to see Vasey's reaction to the empty house. Camouflaged among the leafy boughs Robin sat quietly in a titan oak near the main house. As the full sun rose faithfully over the eastern tree line, Vasey met with Gisborne's sergeant, Galwyn, and his complement of twenty four solders.
"My Lord Sheriff," acknowledged Galwyn.
"Where are the wagons, sergeant? Your men should have at least two filled by now with the trappings of Edward's household, the last remains of his pathetic career." The balding tyrant smiled deliciously and stroked the triangular tuft of graying hair above his forehead.
"The house was cleared out when we arrived at dawn. There is nothing except the structures and the lands. They would not fit in the wagon." Galwyn snapped his eyes to the ground, wishing he had kept the last statement to himself. The snickering from the soldiers galled the Sheriff.
"Shut up you lot or I'll have your tongues!" Silence reigned as Vasey continued, "Where are the livestock, the horses?"
Not daring to speak, Galwyn shook his head.
"Impossible! Livestock does not just disappear!" Furious, the Sheriff twitched agitatedly in his saddle.
Not knowing if he were being brave or stupid, the hapless sergeant spoke softly, "We thoroughly searched the property awaiting your arrival, my lord, and…"
"Quite thoroughly, I'm sure," Vasey snarled.
Smiling appreciatively, Robin leaned back enjoying Vasey's frustration. Sir Edward may no longer have the fortitude to fight, but he struck a final insult at his replacement and saved something of his former life. Good for him!
"Search every dilapidated hut! Now!"
No one wanted to argue with the Sheriff when he was in this state of mind, so the soldiers dispersed and did as they were told, even though they completed the same task earlier. All were grateful to have something to do that removed them from the line of fire.
Desperate to get away from the castle's scurrilous guest, Gisborne snuck out while Hildegard slept. He awakened the whole of Locksley Manor hours before dawn and gave Galwyn specific instructions about his mission to Knighton. Guy could ill afford another failure and when his messenger did not return to Nottingham he rode to Locksley to give the orders in person. As for the messenger, he was a dead man the vicious Gisborne swore; he would not find out until later he had spoken the truth.
Not ready to return to Nottingham while Hildegard was still in residence, Vasey declared, "I will spend the night…and perhaps tomorrow as well. It is…quiet here."
Galwyn visibly gulped and in a quiet voice replied, "As it pleases you, my lord, but…"
"La de da de da…. But what? Speak up, man!"
"The beds are gone, too, sir!" Galwyn took a step back and again lowered his head.
The Sheriff roared like a wounded lion as he reined his mount toward Nottingham and galloped away. Robin almost fell from his perch he was laughing so hard.
Two soldiers followed the sheriff; not to ensure his safe return to the castle, the sheriff did not inspire that kind of loyalty. The men were seeking new orders. Robin swung down from a tree branch and fled into greenwood.
A young woman was washing clothes in the stream near Nettlestone when she noticed a man approaching. His long legs and determined stride were immediately recognizable and the woman stood, smoothing her hair and dress, wanting to look her best.
Gillian was attractive with long red hair pulled back from her face with a kerchief. Her green eyes were not the only ones trying to get the attention of the handsome outlaw the past few months. News of Marian's retreat to Rufford Abbey spread through the shire like a fire through dry timber. There were nubile girls flirting with him everywhere he went, each certain she was the one to make him forget Marian. In fact, their constant fawning was another reason Robin avoided the villages.
Of them all, Gillian was the only one who distracted him, and only then when his head was light with wine and the redhead insistent. Robin quickly realized he was only using her and compromising himself. Marian still had his heart and he knew it would always be so.
Gillian ran to meet him, slipping her arm in his, making sure her breast grazed his side.
"Robin," she gushed, "we have not seen you for some time. What brings you to Nettlestone this fine day?" She smiled hopefully.
"Milton's horse. Where is he?" Robin asked harshly, untangling his arm from her vice-like hold; he already regretted making the trip.
"Owen has him."
"Good. I need to see him straight away. Best get back to your chores." He dismissed her and quickened his pace to the village.
Gillian stomped her foot defiantly muttering, "You have NOT seen the last of me, Robin Hood! I will not be tossed aside so easily."
Reluctantly she went back to her washing, but her thoughts were on the night Robin almost succumbed to her charms.
Gillian got him drunk that night in Sherwood. Very purposefully she nestled against him and made certain a mug of wine was in one hand and she was held by the other. She didn't want him to drink so much he passed out, but certainly wanted to breach his moral restraints. She misjudged him.
When Gillian drew him away from the others, Robin wanted her – she knew it! Her lips were on his and he did not object when she unlaced his tunic and slipped her hand inside. It was her next action that turned him sharply around. Lying back against the mossy ground she took one of his hands, guiding it beneath her skirt.
"No," Robin protested, his voice was harsh and he backed away from her slowly, shaking his head as if rousing from sleep. "We mustn't…"
"We may! I say you may," she insisted in a whisper.
Breaking free of her once more, he repeated, "No!"
Never had she begged a man for anything! Right then Gillian made up her mind. She would have him; no matter what she must do.
"Robin is 'ere!" Kate called to her husband as she dusted the flour from her hands. Owen looked out the second floor window and walked downstairs to stand beside his wife.
"It's been too long, Robin," Owen greeted his outlaw friend.
"Yes," Robin agreed, firmly shaking hands. "Milton told you of Sir Edward's…"
"He is very generous," Kate interrupted. "He left the village two pigs, a cow and six chickens on his way to Lincoln. We are very grateful."
Robin smiled at his Godfather's charity; like father like daughter, he said inwardly. "And Milton's horse?"
"Tied up 'round back." Owen smiled and nodded toward the millhouse.
"Thank you for keeping him. I saw the Sheriff at Knighton Hall earlier. Did he stop here?" Robin was eager for any news the miller might have learned.
"His party stopped only to water the horses this morning. He was in a hurry to get to Knighton. Strange it was, he was humming some silly song about con…con, something about land, I think"
Kate started to sing, "Land…to…con…hmm…"
"Confiscate." Robin helped. "The Sheriff means to confiscate Edward's lands."
"Aye, confiscate, that is the word he used," Owen nodded.
Kate sang the only part of the Sheriff's ditty she remembered. "Land to confiscate…" She blushed as Robin and her husband exchanged a look.
Robin shook his head, "That man is a villain."
"That is the truth," Owen agreed. "Close call this morning though."
"What do you mean?" Suddenly concerned, the outlaw wanted details.
"Don't get me wrong, we were happy to see Marian…"
"Marian was here?" Robin assumed she would stay quietly in Sherwood, at least for one day!
"Lovely girl," Kate said offhandedly.
"Did the Sheriff see her?"
"Oh no…no…no! She arrived much earlier than the Sheriff," Owen laughed; Vasey's penchant for sleeping late was well-known.
Robin looked around curiously.
"Oh, she's not 'ere now." Owen answered Robin's unspoken question.
"I must go." He wondered what trouble might have found Marian, but it was more likely Marian found trouble on her own and, he did NOT want to deal with Gillian again!
"You should stay; she'll be 'ere shortly," Kate offered. "She's picking blackberries with the children in the valley near the old church."
"Thank you," he said, relieved he knew Marian's whereabouts. "I cannot stay; I left camp early without waking the others. I should get back." Robin mounted Milton's horse, waving to Kate and Owen before galloping into the trees.
Chapter 27: "Why did you come back?"