Indignant once more at that stubborn, self satisfied Robin of Locksley, Marian believed she wanted nothing so much as to put distance between herself and him. Doing so, she hurried back to the sheriff's party, then froze when she nearly collided with the black clad form of Sir Guy of Gisbourne.
Having been an unwilling witness to Gisbourne's recent "activity" with Lady Sybille de Lusignan in the alcove, Marian blushed and felt agitated by his presence and proximity. Nonetheless, she controlled her wild emotions and presented a calm and ladylike demeanor to the chillingly evil knight.
"Sir Guy," she uttered politely, if a bit nervously.
Gisbourne looked down at her blushing cheeks, noble countenance, and beautiful face and form. She was incomparable! He felt he wanted her every bit as much as he longed for power and position. Hood, his sworn and bitter enemy, had also wanted her...still wanted her, but he had failed! Well, Gisbourne wouldn't fail. He would woo and win her, no matter how willful she proved to be. He would succeed where Hood had failed, and wouldn't he enjoy gloating over that! Every time he took her supple body to the marriage bed, he would think of Hood and celebrate his victory over his enemy.
She would provide him with heirs...children to be born and reared in Locksley Manor, Hood's home, and Hood himself would watch and know that the fruit of Gisbourne's seed would inherit the lands and property once belonging to him. Her children...children Hood himself had once dreamed of fathering on her! Proud, strong sons, sons of noble birth, and all of England would recognize Sir Guy of Gisbourne as a man of standing.
"Sir Guy," Marian was saying, "you seem preoccupied. Is anything wrong?"
"Wrong? No, milady."
"But you seem upset. Is there anything I can do to help you, Sir Guy?"
Let me strip you of your clothes and take your maidenhead...that would suit, he was thinking, but he merely replied, "All is well."
Marian rolled her eyes as Lady Sybille de Lusignan jealousy joined them. "Whatever are you two speaking of?" Lady Sybille asked, sounding casual. Inside, she was seething with jealousy. Despite admitting to Robin she knew Gisbourne fantasized about Marian, she was furious at the lady for usurping her rightful place in Gisbourne's affections. She did not intend to stand for it! She would discredit the lady in Guy's handsome steely eyes, and turn their gaze solely on herself! Or better yet, she would see the lady eliminated...get her out of the picture completely! Her lips curled into a cunning little smile, as she formulated her plan.