Chapter Three

Sir Guy of Gisborne rested his cheek against the cool stone wall of the castle. His mind was reeling- the whirlwind that was Charlotte had turned everything upside down. Guy was not used to having people being nice to him just because they felt like it. It felt good. Great, even. Sir Guy decided that he liked Charlotte.

"Hello, Sir Guy!" Charlotte called as she walked around the corner. She instantly lit up the dark room, which was dimly lit with two flickering candles. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Well, thank you." He gave a rare smile. "How are you?"

"Wonderful, thank you!" she replied, returning the smile. "What's happening today?"

"I thought that you might like to meet other women of your class, so today I have invited Lady Marian," he said, then added smugly, "my betrothed."

"Oh, Sir Guy! That is excellent!" Charlotte cried. "I should like very much to meet her."

"How is it, Gisborne, that women can reach that annoyingly high pitch?" the Sheriff sneered, strolling into the room. Charlotte raised her eyebrows.

"You tell me, Viola," she retorted, looking him right in the eye. Gisborne suppressed a laugh- no one took on the Sheriff.

"Viola?" the Sheriff asked. "What are you on about?"

"That is your name, isn't it? Or if it isn't, it should be."

"What? My name is Vaizey."

"Viola, Vaizey, whatever. Sorry. We girls should stick together."

"Are you implying that I am a woman?" he snapped, taking a step forward.

"Possibly."

"I must admit, the only feminine thing about you is your dress. Most men- normal men, actually- prefer feminine women," he hissed.

"If I am such a disgrace to my sex, I should become a nun, then."

"A nun?"

"Yes. Why don't you join me, Viola?" she said, putting on an innocent face. The Sheriff frowned and crossed his arms.

"Looks like we have a trickster," he said, his voice dangerously low. "Who's in charge here?"

"You."

"Then I deserve some respect, don't I?" Suddenly he grabbed her chin in one hand and tilted it to the side, then made her nod.

"I suppose so," she said in a bored tone. This infuriated him even more.

"Does being the sister of the Sheriff of Derbyshire mean that you are safe from punishment?" he said through clenched teeth. "A clue: no."

"Struck a nerve, did I?" she asked, not impolitely.

"What do you think?"

"Forgive me, my lord," she said with not a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "I tend to get carried away." He studied her face, looking confused. There was a precarious silence, broken by the Sheriff.

"Truce?"

"Truce," she agreed.

"Good." He turned on his heel and went to walk out, but stopped. "Follow me, Charles," he said over his shoulder. Charlotte chuckled and Gisborne coughed, concealing his own laughter. She obeyed, skipping to the Sheriff's side and giving him a look that said, 'ha!'

"You are different, aren't you?" the Sheriff said, not unkindly, as he started to walk again.

"Forgive me, I do not understand."

"Your brother mentioned it to me that you were different. I did not believe him; all women are the same to me. Obviously you are not."

"What did my brother say?"

"To 'take extra precautions as she is my beloved sister, treat her well, blah-di-blah-di-blah… and that Charlotte is a delicate girl but a bit of a tomboy. She may behave strangely, but she is a good girl at heart'. What do you think of that?" He looked at her challengingly, daring her to object to her brother's statement. Instead, she nodded and laughed.

"That's me, all right!"

***

"Marian, this is Lady Charlotte. Charlotte, this is Lady Marian," Gisborne introduced the two. Marian nodded and Charlotte did the same.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Marian," Charlotte said, giving her a friendly smile. Marian smiled back, her blue eyes gleaming.

"The same to you, Lady Charlotte."

"I must leave now, but I trust you both shall enjoy the time together," Gisborne ordered rather than suggested. He gave each lady a nod and strode proudly out of the room.

"So," Charlotte began, trying to be sociable, "Sir Guy tells me that you are his betrothed?"

"Yes," Marian said, then muttered, "under duress."

"Oh." Charlotte was unsure how to continue on that line, so changed the subject. "Do you live in Nottingham?"
"No, I live in Knighton Hall. My father was the former Sheriff."

"Sir Edward?" Charlotte asked. Marian looked surprised.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"My father was the Sheriff of Derbyshire, as my brother is now. He and your father were firm friends," Charlotte explained, hoping that the link, although distant, might help Marian open up. "My father's name was Richard."

"Sorry, I do not know of him. Father has never mentioned him."

"Never mind," Charlotte said. There was an awkward pause.

"Erm," Marian said, debating whether to ask the question that was nagging at her mind. She decided to. "May I enquire as to why you are here? Not meaning to be rude, but…" her voice trailed off.

"My brother sent me here in the hope of marrying me off," Charlotte said, her tone suddenly bitter. "No such luck! I should be hanged for the crime of being undesirable." Marian stared at her, shocked.

"Do not speak of yourself in such a way!" she said sternly. Marian decided that Charlotte was a little unusual; most women put themselves down to get compliments, but she appeared to be totally serious. Charlotte waved her hands in the air.

"Sorry," she said. "Let's talk about something else."

"Yes," Marian agreed. She now made an effort to talk to Charlotte, which pleased both girls. By the time that Gisborne had returned, the two felt as if they had known each other for a long time.