Enter Andrew Richomme - and a side of Lizzie we haven't seen before!

Chapter 13

Lizzie

I was rudely awoken by a loud knock at my door. Moaning I turned over and pretended it wasn't there so I could go back to sleep but the knocking grew more and more insistent so moodily I swung myself out of bed and opened the door.

A guard stood there, looking decidedly uncomfortable with my lack of proper clothing. I rolled my eyes

"What do you want?" I asked, putting my hand on my hip. He glanced at me and then averted his eyes to the wall behind me.

"Uh...the Sheriff would like to see you immediately m'lady." He said before almost running down the corridor. Sighing I shut the door behind him and changed into my gray dress that was simple but pretty and combed my knotted hair, tying it in a plait. Once satisfied with my appearance I made my way to the Sheriffs feast room.

Before I could knock the Sheriff opened the door and ushered me in, this time pointing to a chair which I took. He didn't sit down which made me slightly uncomfortable but instead paced up and down. Finally, stopping directly in front of me he clasped his hands and spoke.

"Now. We didn't leave things on the best of notes now did we?" He shook his head in an extremely patronizing manner and answered his own question, "No we didn't! So." He bent over me and placed a hand on either side of my chair, "You are in a very fragile position, Missy," he breathed, then crossed over to the mantelpiece and started toying with an expensive looking jug,

"and you'd do well to realize that I am the person who smashes you or puts you on the mantelpiece out of harms way."
"I am not a jug, Sheriff, and I will not be bullied." I said giving him my best withering look which he completely ignored.

"The way I see it this could go two ways: I could send word to the court supporting your account of what happened and therefore clearing your now-muddied name OR I could say you lied and thus condemn you. Either way your fate is in my hands, dear girl so I suggest you start co-operating." I stared at him in horror – this was out and out blackmail! Shaking with a mixture of fear and anger I narrowed my eyes

"What do you want from me?" I asked in a monotone and he smiled and took a seat.

"We have a guest due to arrive later today as no doubt you have heard. His name is Andrew Richomme and he is very, very rich and devilishly handsome. He has never turned down a challenge and his two true loves are drink and women. This, my dear is where you come in." Grasping the thoughts behind his statements I felt my mouth drop open.

"You must be joking!" I said, my voice rising to a squeak.

"On the contrary. I am quite serious. You must be unattainable – it will drive him mad. I will get him madly drunk on a night which I will indicate to you and on that night you will nearly – but not quite – sleep with him, you will seduce him but then will not carry through. After that I will make a bet with him for a large amount of money that he cannot bed you, and he will – encouraged by your near coupling – of course meet the bet. He will lose and I will get the money. Are we clear?" I opened and closed my mouth like a fish several times but no sound came out. He reached over and patted my shoulder,

"Remember – it's your head on the chopping block. He'll be here in a few hours so here -" He pressed a pouch of money into my limp hand "-go out and buy yourself something a bit more...eye-catching to wear." I stuttered but again was unable to form a coherent sentence and the Sheriff laughed and took his leave.

Robin

"So...a womanizer and a drunk, eh?" I asked Alan as we started the fire going to cook lunch.

"'Fraid so." He said shrugging. I smiled, a plan forming in my head.

"You know I reckon we might be able to get our hands on some of that money." I said thoughtfully. He looked at me as a slow smile spread across his face.

"This plan I can see you forming – it doesn't have anything to do with Lizzie does it?" He asked and I grinned. He clapped me on the shoulder -

"I was thinking exactly the same thing."

Lizzie

This was not to be borne! Was I to be some common palace whore, forced to do the Sheriffs bidding while he holds his threats over my head? Was I to be paraded in front of wealthy men as bait? No! This was not to be tolerated.

And yet, I had no choice.

Muttering obscenities under my breath I stomped through the market until I got to the dress shop. The woman regarded me warily,

"Can I help you, Ma'am?" She said and I drew a deep breath.

"Yes. I require a gown – something eye-catching and alluring." I forced the words out as she scurried to do my bidding.

"Perhaps this -" She said holding out several dresses but I waved a hand and pressed the other one to my brow.

"I don't care – you choose I'll pay." I threw the Sheriffs tainted money down on the table and took the first package she put in my arms.

Upon returning to my room and inspecting the dress I realized it was really quite beautiful, it was midnight blue silk with a daring plunging neckline that swooped into a drawn in waist then cascaded to the floor in elegant folds. I pulled it over my head and smoothed the sumptuous material over my hips, then looked in the mirror. I would do, I supposed, the color was flattering and my breasts were exposed enough for tonight's purpose. I let my hair loose from the plait and let it fall around my shoulders in its usual ringlets. That done I went downstairs to greet our guest with a definite pout on my face.

The Sheriff did a satisfying double take as I walked up to him, his eyes roamed freely over my whole body making me shift uncomfortably.

"Oh you'll do very well. He won't be able to keep his eyes off of you." He said, leering. "Speak of the devil, here he comes. Now remember – unattainable." I sighed, here goes nothing, I thought to myself as the door to the fancy carriage opened and he stepped out.

I drew in a sharp breath - he was without competition the most handsome man I'd ever seen. His dark brown hair was curly and shiny and fell across his smooth forehead in a certain mischievous way, he had strong eyebrows and striking green eyes framed by long, dark eyelashes, his nose was straight and aristocratic and his lips were full and tweaked slightly at the corners. He was very handsome indeed.

Smiling he sauntered up the castle steps and clapped the Sheriff on the back, greeting the assembled noblemen with the same vigor. Then his eyes fell on me. I made my eyes look disinterested and lifted my chin slightly as his green eyes took in my face, my dress and no doubt what was underneath. He made me feel as if I wasn't clothed at all! I fought back a blush and extended a hand as he came towards me and knelt, never taking his eyes away from mine (impressive considering the amount of decolletage I had on show), he took my hand and kissed it his eyes lingering on certain places as he cast them down (and there was the decolletage, I thought smugly).

"I am enchanted to meet you Miss -?" He said with as voice as soft as the silk that clung to my every curve.

"Elizabeth." I supplied, making my voice high and aloof.

"Miss Elizabeth." He murmured as if tasting an exquisite chocolate. Whisking my hand from his I turned and walked the short distance to my room feeling his eyes as they followed me.