"Guy, Last night was bliss. Come to my bed again soon, my darling, for I live for your love. I am yours, Marian"

An evil smile swept slowly across Isabella's face as she laid down her quill and waved the parchment, allowing the ink to dry. Wouldn't this little sample of her handiwork wreck havoc in the otherwise happy household at Locksley when it was discovered! After all, Robin didn't have a clue that Isabella counted forgery as yet another of her many arts and skills. She couldn't wait for him to discover this little love note Guy "had received" while he had been living under this roof.

A few rapid knocks on her door accompanied by Robin's voice warning, "I'm opening the door, Isabella...we're leaving," made her quickly hide the note she'd forged under a stack of other household papers.

Robin's face looked relieved when he saw her standing near the desk.

"Were you expecting to find me waiting for you, naked, on the bed?" she asked, archly. "And you, a happily married man!"

"We're going," he repeated, ignoring her remarks.

"Going where?"

"I'm taking you to Kirklees."

But Isabella had no desire to trade Locksley Manor, which housed the object of her desire, for Kirklees Abbey, which held nothing but dull, pious nuns. Quickly, she made up excuses, once again playing the helpless damsel in distress.

"No! Please! I won't be safe there!"

"You'll be safer there than under my roof," he told her, implying that he himself might be tempted to do her harm. "You may claim Sanctuary."

"But John has no respect for the Holy Mother Church! You know that!"

"You're going, and that's final."

"No."

Despite not wanting to leave, a thrill shot through Isabella when Robin, with an exasperated sigh, picked up her body and slung her, face down, over his shoulder. She didn't speak a word as he carried her down the stairs and out the door of his house, stopping him at last when he tried lifting her onto the horse.

"Side-saddle!" she cried. "I must ride side-saddle!"

"You've ridden astride before," Robin argued. "I've seen you."

"But I'm not wearing anything under my gown!"

Instantly, Robin let her go, then backed a few steps away.

Enjoying his delicious discomfort, Isabella coyly continued, "Not a stitch! Truly! Care to see for yourself?"

"That won't be necessary." Recovering himself, he ordered, "Go in the house, and borrow something decent from my wife."

"Now who's being a spoilsport, as you like to say?"

"Just do it!"

With the smart alack expression of a spoiled brat, Isabella turned her back and reentered the manor.

She had no choice but to obey him, though she hated doing it. At least I painted a picture in his mind, she triumphantly told herself.

Marian, interrupted from reading a storybook to her scrawny freckled-faced brat, supplied her with the hated required undergarments, without asking any questions. Just wait until Robin finds the note you "wrote" Guy! Isabella's thoughts gloated.

It was really too bad he wouldn't discover it before he took her to Kirklees! What an excuse it would give him to pay his priceless Marian back, repaying infidelity with infidelity! No matter. He'd find it soon enough. And even without knowing its existence, Robin would be putty in her hands.

Oh, yes! Isabella fully intended to make this a journey to remember!