"Where is he going?" Marian wondered aloud, watching Guy of Gisbourne's retreating figure leave Nottingham Castle's Great Hall. Gisbourne was accompanied by the beautiful Countess of Poitiers, and it was obvious they left together to seek a private chamber.

"Why do you care?" Robin's voice snarled back at her, cold and harsh in its jealousy, shocking Marian from her musings.

She looked with surprise into Robin's eyes behind his mask. Their expression had changed dramatically from loving adoration to intense fury and suspicion. Her own anger rose in response to meet his.

"I don't!"

"Oh, so all that was just an act?"

"All what?"

He continued glaring at her. "Stopping our dance to watch Gisbourne. Being jealous when he pays someone else attention. Wondering aloud, twice!, what he's 'up to!' "

"I am not jealous!"

"What do you call it, then?"

Their snarls, though whispered, were beginning to draw attention. Robin, ever reckless, didn't seem to care or not whether they were being watched. Marian, more cautious, grew concerned.

"People are watching," she warned.

"Let them. You haven't answered my question."

"Stop being overbearing. Grow up."

"Answer my question."

She didn't even remember what he had asked. She couldn't believe his ridiculous behavior. And, in the back of her mind, she was slightly troubled by Gisbourne's disappearance.

It was only her pride that was stung. She didn't care for Gisbourne, nor welcome his attentions. But she had grown used to being their unwelcome object, and was surprised that he could be so fickle after appearing to be so devoted. She didn't understand.

But first things first. She needed Robin to stop arguing and calm down, or get away if he planned on being so stubborn and unreasonable. As she told herself how unreasonable he was behaving, her anger increased.

"Do you really want to be thrown right back in the dungeons again? It's no less than you deserve for acting this way! So, if you can't behave like a gentleman, I suggest you leave!" She drew a breath and continued her assault. "And when you are a prisoner again, for you're sure to be if you keep arguing, don't expect any help from me!"

"I won't. You'll be too busy wondering what Gisbourne's up to."

"Robin, stop it. It's my business to know what's he's up to. I watch him so I can feed you information, or have you forgotten that?"

"I hardly think my gang needs to know whom he takes to his bed."

He watched the effect his words had on her, and his jealousy doubled. "Did you believe they left to look at the moon, Marian?"

She turned hurt eyes on him. Was he mocking her for all the times they had left gatherings to steal a kiss in the moonlight? What was wrong with him?

"I don't know why you had to go and ruin everything, Robin, when we were having such a lovely time tonight."

It stung, yet he didn't believe he was in the wrong. She was the one who had ruined things.

"Perhaps you're right," he said abruptly, not wishing to stay and discuss things. "I should go. Goodnight."

He turned on his heel and ran up the stairs, leaving a frustrated Marian staring after him. When he reached the top, he came face to face with Sheriff Vaisey and Guy de Lusignan, who were returning from their plotting.

With one fluid motion, Robin removed his mask. Marian couldn't believe his audacity.

"Evening, Sheriff!" he greeted jauntily. "Lusignan, so good to see you again. Sorry I can't stay. Please pay my respects to your lovely wife. Wish I could have spent the evening with her, but then, how could anything top the last time we met? "

Before the sheriff had a chance to scream for his guards, Robin was running at full speed through the castle, toward the nearest exit. His parting shot directed toward Marian coupled with his mad dash through the castle did wonders to restore his temper, but still couldn't quiet the fury against Gisbourne smouldering in his heart.

Marian stood silently gaping. Had he? Had he really? She began experiencing some jealousy of her own. She needed to get to the bottom of this, and find out just how well acquainted Robin of Locksley was to this strumpet "Melusine." And she knew just the person to tell her. She couldn't wait to have a word with Much.