Marian's week of prescribed bed rest ended, and she awoke to the sun streaming through her window. Robin, already fully awake, lay beside her, gazing at her with bold, inviting tenderness.

"I know what you're thinking, Locksley, but it's out of the question. Matilda forbad it, and besides, I'm not spending another moment in this bed...in this room...now that I can finally get up!"

Playfully, Robin seized her in his arms as she sat up and tried to climb from their bed, pulling her back.

"What's your hurry, Marian?" he asked, snickering. "Don't tell me you're sick of staying in bed, not our bed, anyway! The scene of so much pleasure?"

"Grow up!"

He let her wrest herself from his arms and climb out of bed. Propping himself on both elbows, he watched her move to the window, enchanted by her delight at the prospect of a day outdoors.

"What do you want to do today?" he asked, his voice warm and full of promises.

"Push you down the well first! No." Turning away from the window, she began gathering the clothing she would wear that day, a smile deepening her dimples. "I don't even want to sit down to eat, though I suppose I'll have to. I just want get outside, and walk! I want to spend time with our horses, and visit the people of Locksley! If I could, I'd sleep outdoors tonight!"

Disappearing behind a screen, Marian quickly dressed herself, while Robin bent one arm behind his head and lay back, a plan taking hold in his mind.

Why couldn't they sleep in his outlaw camp tonight? He'd pack a few provisions to make it comfortable, and make it a big adventure for Ellie.

He'd ride ahead to make sure it was still inhabitable for an expectant mother and a small child, and if it was, he'd keep it a secret from Marian, hoping to surprise her. No matter how much fun he'd make it, one night back in camp would be enough, he felt sure, for Marian to long for the comforts of their room in Locksley!

But before he did anything this morning, he needed to go through a few papers he'd been neglecting.

...

Marian and Ellen were outside in the vegetable garden, admiring the cabbages, when Robin found the letter.

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

Unable to tear his eyes from the parchment, Robin stood frozen, his heart tightening in his chest. Dread, jealousy, fury, were nothing to the hatred that washed over him as he pictured Guy of Gisbourne with his wife.

Marian couldn't have written this poisonous note! What was it doing here, stuffed among his papers? It was impossible! And yet, it was clearly her handwriting, without dispute.

Gripping the note in his fist, Robin strode from his house to hunt for Marian.

"What is this?" he snarled at her, shoving the note in her face without letting it go.

Marian had never seen Robin this angry at her ever before. Frightened, Ellen began to cry.

"Whatever it is," Marian snapped back at him, "it's not worth upsetting Ellie!" Stooping down to soothe away their little girl's tears, Marian cooed, "It's alright, Precious. Daddy's not really mad, are you? He's just pretending."

Mastering his emotion, Robin gently assured their daughter he was the same "daddy" she knew and loved. "Nurse Mattie," he called curtly, "please take Ellen inside."

"Let her play in the yard," Marian corrected. "It's too lovely a day to stay cooped up indoors."

"Why must you always undermine my authority?" Robin shouted at her, as soon as the nurse led Ellen away. "That was a good lie, by the way. You always were a skillful liar, weren't you?"

"What is wrong with you?" Marian shouted back at him, angry and confused by his temper.

Robin stood staring at her, as if she were his enemy, overcome by anger. In spite of her courage and love for the man, Marian felt the cold grip of fear knotting the pit of her stomach.

"Explain this, if you can," Robin snarled, again holding out the letter in his fist.

"Let me read it, and I will," Marian shot back at him.

Almost flinging it in her face, Robin let go of the parchment, then stood watching her read, his eyes boring into her, making her feel even more unsettled.

Marian couldn't believe her eyes. Unable to explain, she simply stammered, "This is ridiculous! I never wrote this!"

"It's in your hand," Robin accused, standing with arms folded across his chest among rows of cabbages, while curious villagers and Locksley servants watched the argument. "So tell me, Marian, when did you first give yourself to the gallant Sir Guy of Gisbourne? You were a virgin when you gave yourself to me, or was that a lie, too? And whose child was it, that Gisbourne killed, or do you even know?"

"How dare you? You can't believe this rubbish!"

"What lie are you going to tell me now? That this letter, in your hand, somehow magically appeared in my house, unwritten by you? Don't tell me you made love to him in our bed!"

Unable to explain, and feeling she shouldn't have to, Marian broke into tears. Turning away so he wouldn't see her cry, she could only sob, "If I'm a liar, it's because I had to be, to protect myself and my father, who, by the way, was a better man than you are, at this moment!"

Feeling suddenly weak, Marian walked away as quickly as she could, back into the house and up the stairs to their room, not recognizing the hateful person in the garden as being the same man she loved. With an anguished cry, she threw herself onto their bed and sobbed.