Apologis for the gap between updates - rehearsals are to blame! Anyway things are heating up!

Chapter 16

Lizzie had been skulking for 2 hours. In an effort to avoid Andrew she had been everywhere she knew he wouldn't be, currently she was in the kitchens talking to the chatty chef about the Black Pudding he was planning to make. Breakfast had been awful and the knowledge that she was going to have to put aside her dignity and nearly bed that ill-mannered oaf made Lizzie clench her fists, but the Sheriff had also been looking at her throughout the meal and from that look she knew that there was no way he was backing down. Making up her mind Lizzie rose from the stool she'd been perched on and began to make her way back to her room, however as she closed the door to the kitchen behind her an unwelcome tune floated into her ears coming from the pursed lips of Andrew himself. It took every fiber of Lizzie's self-restraint not to curse but she managed, biting her lip she turned to face him and he laughed a rich, deep laugh.

"What on earth were you doing in the kitchens?" He asked, raising his left eyebrow as a cheeky look lit up his green eyes. "Ah! Is your secret admirer one of the staff?"

Lizzie scoffed under her breath,

"No certainly not." She snapped, annoyed he hadn't forgotten their encounter. Andrew smiled at her annoyance.

"Thought I'd forget? Ah but how could I? Although yes you're right, you are too fine to be touched by a servant – even your sleeve. Why your late husband – sorry about that by the way – was an Earl! I can see why he was enamored." He murmured, stepping closer. Lizzie stiffened at the mention of Robert but was distracted by a very strong smell of alcohol that clung to Andrew like a second skin and sniffed in distaste.

"Are you drunk? It's early afternoon for goodness's sake." She said stepping briskly away and he threw back his head and laughed.

"And I shall get drunker still, my lovely!" He chuckled, winking at her as he walked away.

Lizzie shook her head as if to rid herself of the conversation entirely and continued the walk to her room. Sighing she opened the door and froze as she saw the black-clad silhouette by the window,

"Who -" she began but the figure stepped forwards and she saw it was the Sheriff.

"Fantastic." She muttered darkly.

"The time has come, dear girl." The Sheriff said in a bored voice, "You must seduce him tonight. I will place my bet in the morning." Leaving her no time to reply he strode from the room. Lizzie groaned and put her head in her hands – she'd been counting on a little more time! Reminding herself that her life was at stake and she had no choice Lizzie changed into her green dress, the one she'd been wearing the night she'd ran away, it made her feel brave AND she very well remembered the look in Robin's eyes when he'd seen her properly. She got halfway to the door before deciding it was far too early to seduce anyone and sitting cross-legged on the floor to stop herself from pacing, she sat there and worried until dusk fell and she couldn't delay any longer. Lizzie got slowly to her feet and jumped as she heard whistling – surely it wasn't him? But it was the tune he always whistled and suddenly she recognized it – Greensleeves, contemplating the irony of her wardrobe choice Lizzie made her way down to the garden as one would to the gallows.

He was standing with his back to her with his hands in his pockets, still whistling but turned at her footsteps. As he took in her dress he smiled and placed a hand on his chin,

"Why you look quite enchanting my dear – dare I hope this is in my honor?" He was slurring his words, definitely still drunk but Lizzie placed a half smile on her face and put a hand to her neck.

"You may think what you want, sir." She said, looking up at him through her lashes and hating herself for playing the coquette. It worked however as he moved closer and put a gentle finger under her chin to lift it.

"What if I don't know what to think? Personally I find thinking around you very difficult." He breathed and ran his hand across to the back of her neck. Closing her eyes Lizzie imagined Robin standing in his place and moved even closer to him so that her lips were at his cheek.

"Don't think." She whispered, and then his lips were on hers in a passionate kiss that made her rock forward to lean into him and put her arms around his strong neck despite herself. There was fire in that kiss and she felt it course through her body when he wrapped his arms around her but as he moved his lips to her ear and ran his teeth gently down her ear she felt a sickening guilt, she'd betrayed Robin and there was absolutely no going back. She could feel his breath.

"Elizabeth, you know that I desire you...I must have you. I've known since I first saw you." he whispered, then suddenly he straightened and there was no trace of a slur left in his voice. "Pity you and the Sheriff are plotting against me." He finished and Lizzie's eyes snapped open with shock as he pressed a blade to her neck.