Time and a good amount of fine Burgundy wine did wonders restoring Sheriff Vaisey's temper. He continued furious at Robin Hood for stealing his tax money and humiliating him in front of his Council of Nobles, but his anger now took the form of quiet seething rage, not overt screaming fury. His adrenaline was rushing, yet he masterfully kept his emotions hidden, appearing to all eyes outwardly calm as he plotted within his head the best way to trap and capture Hood.

He developed his plan...a marvelous foolproof plan. Even Gisbourne couldn't ruin things this time.

...

The Nightwatchman rode her horse slowly through the midnight streets of Nottingham, silently dropping off food parcels to the poor and needy. Robin had boldly stolen the tax money at the Council of Nobles yesterday morning, and Marian competitively wanted to pass out food before he was able to give them money.

Passing a house on Pitt Street, she was taken completely off guard by the sound of a familiar male laugh ringing out from inside one of the houses.

He wouldn't! He wouldn't be so bold as to visit the poor, as if on a social call, then laugh out joyfully through the open window, so that anyone could hear? But of course he would! It was nothing compared to his performance when he had literally dropped in on the Council! Did he think nothing could touch him, the fool?

The laughter from inside the house had stopped as abruptly as it had begun. No doubt Robin had heard the slow and steady hoofbeats of her horse, and was alert to possible danger. If she didn't mind being unmasked in Nottingham, wouldn't she just have fun knocking on the door of the house and surprising him! But of course, she wouldn't.

What happened next, she would never be able to explain to her dying day. Turning her horse about face, she almost fainted from shock when she discovered Robin, smiling at her from under his hood, standing directly in her path.

How had he gotten outside so quickly? He couldn't walk through walls, but there didn't seem to be any other explanation.

The shock he had given her made her extremely irritated. He stood proudly grinning up at her, then signalled for her to join him in a secluded alley. Against her better judgment, she agreed.

Once they were sure they were completely alone, Marian removed her mask and scarf and looked at him with questioning eyes.

"Well," she began, "what's so important that you risk me being seen with you in Nottingham?"

"I just wanted to tell you how very pretty you looked yesterday," he said charmingly. "I really liked your new dress."

Even though she had wanted for him to see her in the gown, she was outraged. "You risk my neck, and yours, just to pay me a compliment? How very gallant of you, Robin!"

"It was a very pretty dress," he defended himself with a laugh. "Or, at least it looked pretty on you."

She tried to pretend she did not care, and swiftly delivered the blow. "Oh, so you share Gisbourne's taste."

Robin cringed. "So Gisbourne complimented you on it, too. He's not as big a fool as he looks."

"He did more than compliment me on the dress; he gave it to me. It was his idea I wear it. He showed up at Knighton a few days back, and forced the gown on me."

Robin studied her, his eyes hard in their intensity. His grin and lighthearted mood were replaced by jealousy.

"What right has Gisbourne to pick out your wardrobe for you? Your father surely doesn't allow that!"

"My father is frightened, with just cause. He's lucky to have kept his tongue, not to mention his life, as long as he has. The Sheriff considers him a threat, someone he suspects inspires disloyalty against him."

"And does he?"

"No. My father believes he is doing what is best for me by remaining quiet."

"Yet here you are," Robin said approvingly, "doing your part."

Marian's mouth formed a slight smile. She couldn't help being pleased at his approval. She had sought it for too many years to completely disregard it now.

"I have to go," she realized suddenly, readjusting her scarf and mask, and climbing back into the saddle.

After she had gone, Robin stared longingly after her. Heaving a sigh, he turned the opposite direction to head back toward his temporary camp.

Rage at Gisbourne's nerve and attempts to possess Marian drove him first to Locksley. Gisbourne was probably sleeping right now in Robin's bed...the same bed his grandfather and father had slept in before himself...the bed where he himself was born, and most likely even conceived.

Gisbourne was trying to steal everything Robin held most dear. Well, let him lay his greasy head on Robin's pillow at night. What did it matter? One day, the king would return and restore Locksley to its rightful lord.

But Marian...Marian couldn't wait. Guy of Gisbourne with his dark good looks, his height and build and brooding intensity, was a rival Robin didn't want to stand.

Plying Marian with gifts! Robin laughed a short harsh laugh. Marian couldn't be bought, but she could be swayed by a handsome presence who never backed off. Hadn't she kissed Aylesbury? And Roger of Stoke, if Aylesbury was to be believed! Roger, Robin's loyal friend, or so Robin had believed.

One day, he would get to the bottom of that story. But as for now, he had Gisbourne to think of. Maybe it was time to teach Sir Guy of Gisbourne another lesson.