Alternate Shades
Part Three
Word Count: 462
Rating: T/PG-13, will vary, with possible discussions of/implied torture, prostitution, and some... worse things
Disclaimer: Normally I'm wittier, but... I got nothing. I would say I own nothing, but that's not true. I have a bit of original fiction I should be working on instead.
Summary: Will runs into someone while he searches a place he's not supposed to be.
Author's Note: I decided to try and do a piece from the possible sequel for A Study in Scarlett.

I kind of wonder if this shows there's a good reason not to write the whole thing out.

An Inappropriate Meeting

"You're not supposed to be in here."

Will stopped, looking back with a frown. Few people heard him when he moved unless he wanted them to, and he had sworn this room was empty when he went into it to peer at the new sheriff's papers. Yet there she was, watching him from a darkened corner of the room.

How long had she been hiding in here? All night? Was that why her husband had claimed that she was unwell and would not be joining them? Or were the other rumors true, that the man was unwilling to let anyone gaze upon the supposed beauty of his much younger wife?

Will didn't think much of that one himself. She didn't look like much from here, though the younger part was true. She looked about his age, a little less, and that wasn't very old at all for someone who'd been married for as long as he'd heard said about her.

He tried to find the right sort of words, the ones Robin and his fellow nobles used. "I was not aware this room was occupied and merely wanted a moment's respite from the festivities."

Her eyes held nothing but contempt for that remark. "I find that difficult to believe."

"I have no better excuse, so I suppose you'll either have to accept that or not, Lady Nottingham."

"Don't call me that," she snapped, and Will sensed he'd done more than upset her. That was something to be used, wasn't it?

"You'll have to forgive me. I'm new to this business of titles, but that is yours, isn't it? Your husband has become sheriff and lord of Nottingham, making you, as his wife, Lady Nottingham. Or did I get it wrong?"

She shook her head. "It's the one they say is correct."

"Just not the one you like."

"You're not supposed to be in here," she repeated, attempting to be stiff and stern in her words. "You should go."

"Well, what I should and what I'm willing to do are two entirely different things, milady," he told her with a slight smile. "I'm known for coming and going as I please—not as anyone else does."

"Then why are you here tonight?"

"Because my brother's a fool," Will answered, and she laughed before she stopped herself, covering her hand with her mouth and trying to pretend she was not the least bit amused. "Ah, I see you know him as well."

She flushed. "I do not. I know no one here, and I won't have you saying I do."

"Why? Your jealous bastard of a husband will beat you for it?" Will asked, and she stared at him in complete horror.

Damn. Will hated when he was right about that sort of thing.