"Well!" Robin said charmingly from his doorway, "I seem to have an odd effect on you! The last time we met, you dropped something as well, as I recall."

Annora could only stare back at him, transported to the world of her dreams. She watched as he entered the room, moving with that grace that was all his own, and saw him speak quietly to the woman she'd forgotten. Her heartbeats pounded and fluttered so wildly, she couldn't hear a word he spoke, but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered now, except that she'd found him.

Robin, having seen the look on Marian's face when Annora dropped a priceless family heirloom, was trying to quietly appease her.

"It's alright, my love," he said assuringly, taking her aside after politely excusing themselves from their "guest."

"No, it's not! How long has that been in your family? It survived even...even Gisbourne's stint in your home. And now, this chit of a girl..."

"It's alright. People are more important than things."

"Some people are! Not merchant's daughters, who-"

"Shh."

"Don't shush me, Robin! And don't even think about lecturing me about one man being much like another! Bloodlines matter, for all your lofty ideals."

"I thought they were our ideals."

"You would assume that."

"What's this really about, Marian?"

His direct question made Marian flinch. She didn't feel threatened by that insignificant, baseborn chit, surely! But she was justifiably angry that a stranger would invade their home, upset their servants, and destroy their property.

"I want her out, Robin," she told him. "You may find it fun, playing games with her, but I don't."

Robin, staring deeply into his wife's eyes, began to understand her anger.

"Alright," he agreed. "No more games. I'll tell her who I really am, and show her the door." He paused for a brief moment, then quietly asked, "Truce?"

"Truce."

The warm flush glowing on Marian's cheeks echoed that beginning to course through Robin's veins, making him even more certain there was one person too many in their bedchamber. He couldn't be quick enough to show Annora the way out.

"Sorry about that," he said to the lovestruck girl, returning with Marian within earshot. "In fact, I owe you more than one apology, it would seem."

Annora, breathing in little gasps of air, finally managed to squeak, "How did you find me?" The scene still seemed so unreal and magical to her, she didn't even notice "Brother Robert" was dressed in the clothes of a layman, holding that other woman's hand.

"It would appear you found me," he answered with a grin. "May I introduce you to my wife? This, Lady Locksley, is Mistress Annora Fitzhugh, wife of our latest Chancellor. And this, Mistress, is my wife."

"Your wife?"

Annora's knees buckled, as the color drained from her face. "But, I thought...you're not a monk?"

"That's the reason for my apology," he answered lightly. "I only wore that disguise to do a bit of sleuthing, that night at your husband's party. I'm sorry I deceived you."

"But..." Trembling, Annora stepped forward, reached her thin arms upward, and slid his hood back from his head. "But, your hair!"

Robin slid one palm over the top of his head. "It's beginning to grow back," he grinned, apologetically. "It itches."

"I need to sit down," Annora gasped, and instantly, found herself supported on one of his strong arms. When he'd helped her ease herself onto a seat and released her, she instantly felt the loss of his touch.

"I feel like I'm drowning," she almost wept.

Marian rolled her eyes, having little sympathy for fools. Especially pretty girls, who were so obviously foolish over her husband!

Impatient for the silly girl to go, Marian told her, "My husband is Lord Locksley, Earl of Huntington and lord of this manor. You are trespassing. If you want to explore the former haunts of Robin Hood, I suggest you take an armed escort into Sherwood Forest. You wouldn't last a day alone in those woods."

Ignoring her, Annora gazed open mouthed at Robin. "You're Robin Hood?" she cried, all her dreams coming together in one glorious rush. Screaming, she leaped to her feet, and only just stopped herself from throwing her arms around his neck.

"I was," he said, taking the slightest step backward.

Annora's heart began hammering in her chest. This was gloriously too good to be true! He wasn't a monk! He was Robin Hood, her hero made flesh! And then, she remembered the woman he'd introduced as his wife.

He was married! He was married! NO! But then again, so was she, she realized, and it was nothing to stand in the way of her happiness.

Slyly, Annora turned her eyes to look upon Maid Marian, whose beauty was as legendary as her exploits. Was she with child, or only a bit heavy? Either way, Annora was sure she was a shrew. Just look at the way she'd argued with him! Annora hated her, more than she had ever hated anything in her life.

She was determined to steal him away from his sharp tongued wife. After all, she was the chancellor's wife now! She could have anything she wanted. And she'd never wanted anything so badly as she wanted him.

Whatever it took, lying, stealing, anything! She was determined to win.