Isabella could barely contain her desire, pressed up against Robin's backside, clinging to him as they rode off together on his horse. It took every bit of restraint within her not to rub up against his back, stroke his thighs, or nibble on his neck.
"What a lovely little girl you have," she began instead, pretending she found his brat adorable. "I suppose you want a boy, this time?"
She'd found his weakness. He couldn't resist smiling, to talk about his family.
"Boy or girl, so long as its healthy. But yes, if you press me, I'd like a boy. So would Marian."
Oh, I'll press you alright! I'll straddle you and squeeze you between my thighs, till you beg for mercy!
"Your wife's looking well. She's positively glowing."
"No thanks to you."
"I didn't poison her!" Isabella lied. "How could I, when I wasn't anywhere near her? How can I make you believe me?"
"You can't. I know you too well, Isabella."
No, Robin, not well enough. Let's get off this horse, and explore one another. I'll let you get to know every inch of me.
"Be fair, Robin. Can I help it if that foolish Annora was so in love with you, she did something despicable to try to win you away from your wife? She was hysterical over you, after all. She threw herself to her death because of you, don't forget."
You stiffened. That conscience of yours is troubling you, isn't it? Good. I have a cure to help you forget, Robin. I have several cures.
"Let's not talk of death," Isabella continued, ignoring the fact she had introduced the subject. "Life is tragic enough, without discussing its many sorrows. Let's talk of Life! Tell me, have you picked out any names for your new child?"
Once again, Robin broke into a smile. "We can't seem to agree, but I'll probably give in, since my wife has to do all the hard work before it's born."
"And when it is born, will it be coming out the front, or behind?"
At first, Robin couldn't grasp her meaning. "Babies come out head first, so I've been told. Except for me. Matilda claims I came out feet first, to get a running start! Let's hope my offspring shows its mother more mercy."
"I don't believe you understood me, Robin," Isabella told him, snidely, dropping her friendly charade. "I didn't ask how the baby would come out, but where."
For a moment, Robin felt like Much must always feel, at a loss to understand. Suddenly grasping her meaning, he spat out, "You are a whore!"
"What? Doesn't your precious Marian let you sample all the pleasures of her body? I'm sure Guy didn't have your scruples, where Marian was concerned! You may have entered by the front door first, but I'm sure he found the back door unlocked!"
Jerking the reins of his horse to an abrupt stop, Robin leaped down from his horse and commanded, "Get down!"
The anger in his eyes frightened Isabella, and she knew better than to obey. "You're not planning on leaving me stranded here alone, a helpless woman, are you?"
"Just do it. Get off my horse, you foul-mouthed whore."
"Who's the foul mouth? I haven't called you any names, or your precious Marian! She's not the virtuous lady you think her, you know. Guy burned for her, and believe me, he took her in every possible way imaginable! Just like I'll let you take me."
Unable to stand any more filth, Robin pulled Isabella to the ground. She took advantage of their proximity to grab at him.
"Remember this?" she breathed, lustfully. "I do so enjoy tugging your sword from its sheath."
The Code of Chivalry Robin had always sworn to uphold, deserted him in an instant. Shaking her off, he shoved Isabella up against a tree, glaring at her with murder in his eyes.
Fearing for her life, Isabella couldn't stop her quick, panting breaths. "Kill me," she gasped. "You're no different from any man! My father, my brother, both my husbands! Every man's the same! You all think you can bruise and beat me!"
At that, Robin came to his senses. "I'm nothing like your brother," he told her, angrily. "I won't dirty my hands, touching you."
"What are you going to do then?" Isabella asked. "You're not...you're not leaving me here, alone, are you? A helpless woman?"
"You've never been helpless," Robin sneered, swinging himself back into his saddle. "Kirklees is that direction. I'm sure you'll find a warm meal waiting for you there. Goodbye, Isabella."
Furious, Isabella watched him wheel his horse around and gallop off toward Locksley.
"You'll be sorry," she sneered back, before lifting her skirts to begin walking back to Nottingham Castle.