Chapter Four
"So," Robin said, watching Marian as she dismounted her horse. "What have you got to tell me?" Marian put her hands on her hips and sighed.
"Not much," she said. "Or at least, nothing of particular interest to you."
"What do you mean?" Robin asked, leaning against a tree.
"That the guest is not a mysterious hit-woman or a princess or anything special, she's just a lady."
"Explain?"
"Her name is Lady Charlotte. Her brother is the Sheriff of Derbyshire and he has sent her here for the purpose of marrying her off. That is all."
"There has to be more to it than that," Robin chuckled, concealing his disappointment.
"No, not really," Marian replied. "Charlotte is a lovely girl; a little bit eccentric, but gentle and kind. Although I did notice that she has a particular distaste for the Sheriff. Then again, that is not that unusual."
"Anything else?"
"I'm not sure, but if there is, I'll keep you informed." She began to mount her horse again, but Robin grabbed her arm.
"Thank you," he said, smiling at her. Marian looked at him with a forlorn expression. Suddenly, he was concerned. "What's wrong?"
"I hate pretending," she said quickly, trying to pull away.
"Pretending?"
"Mmmm," she said half-heartedly. "I hate pretending to be someone who I'm not." When Robin looked at her questioningly, she gave a small smile and mounted her horse.
"Goodbye," she said. "Don't do anything stupid." Robin laughed.
"I'll try my hardest." With a click of her tongue she was off, her chestnut mare cantering through the trees. Robin waved, but Marian was not looking. When she had completely disappeared he began to make his way back to camp.
"Master!" Much cried when Robin walked into the small clearing. "What did you find out?"
"Not much at all," Robin replied, sitting down on a log. Will Scarlet sat down beside him, eagerly awaiting the news.
"Go on," Djaq urged him, also impatient.
"Her name is Charlotte, she is the sister of the Sheriff of Derbyshire and she's here to find someone to marry," Robin said. "Not very interesting, is it?"
"Was she sent?" Djaq asked. John and Allan joined the circle, both disappointed.
"Yes, her brother sent her," Robin replied.
"Did you say that her brother was the Sheriff of Derbyshire?" Will asked, his brow furrowed.
"Yes. Why?"
"His name is Ewan. Charlotte's father's name was Richard and her mother… Elizabeth, I think. Elizabeth bore Richard five children; Ewan, Charlotte, Isaac, Caleb and another little girl, but I don't know her name," Will explained. The whole gang looked at him in shock.
"How do you know all that?" Much asked, staring at Will strangely.
"My aunt lives in Derbyshire. She's a midwife; she delivered all Lady Elizabeth's children. I only remember their names because they are so unusual," Will said, suddenly embarrassed.
"Any more surprises?" Allan asked, now intrigued.
"Only that they are all quite intelligent and really good with animals. Oh, and that Ewan is supposed to be the only fair Sheriff left in the whole of England." Robin clapped Will on the back and Allan cheered.
"Well done, my friend!" Robin praised him. Will smiled.
"Thanks," he said.
"But what has this Charlotte got to do with anything?" Djaq asked, sitting next to Will. Allan shrugged his shoulders.
"Dunno, but she sounds pretty…"
"Out of your league," Djaq finished for him. Everyone except Allan laughed.
"I'm not sure what she's got to do with anything, Djaq, but I'd like to meet her personally," Robin said when the laughter subsided.
"Oh, no," Much moaned. "Please, Master! Not today."
"No, not today. Tonight."
"No," Much begged, but Little John spoke up.
"We go to Nottingham." Much was silenced and the others sighed with relief. Everyone except Djaq.
"Men- so predictable," she muttered under her breath. "A shiny new toy arrives and they all want to see it."