The moment he was certain they were safely away and hidden within Sherwood, Robin reined the horse, greatly to Maggie's relief.
"That was invigorating!" Robin announced, with a sunny smile.
Maggie, who had only managed to keep her seat because Robin had gripped her between his thighs, did not share his enthusiasm.
"Get me down off this bleedin' 'orse, and wipe that grin off your rich man's face before I knock it offa you myself!"
Robin chuckled heartily, leaped to the ground, then held up his arms to help the naked harlot dismount.
"My gang could use someone like you," he snickered. "What do you say? Would you like to join us?"
"I'm sure you could use me! But I won't be used, Rich Boy! I get paid for what I do!"
He laughed again. "I meant as a fighter, not a lover," he told her. "But you'll have to learn how to dismount first."
Maggie was having extreme difficulties trying to figure out how to get down from the horse. "This innit the sorta ridin' I'm accustomed to," she complained.
"Nonetheless, I thank you for it. You saved my life."
Maggie wasn't impressed by his polite manners. She distrusted noblemen, and didn't care for this one at all.
"I didn't do it for you, Rich Boy. I did it for Allan."
"Then I'll be sure to thank him."
At last, Robin managed to lower her to the ground. It turned out to be an extremely awkward undertaking.
Removing his cape, he held it out and offered it to the harlot.
"What's that for?" she asked, suspiciously.
He bit his tongue to keep from laughing. "Why, it's to cover you up!"
"Why?" She was glaring at him, as if he were no better than pig slop.
"Because," he said, summoning his charm, "despite your accusations against me, I have no money. And, since I cannot pay you, it seems cruel for you to tempt me with your loveliness."
Maggie snorted. "I wouldn't serve you, not if you offered me the Crown Jewels! I got my standards, you know!"
Robin couldn't hold back his laughter any longer. He let out a hearty laugh. "Because I'm an outlaw?" he asked, hoping that wasn't the reason.
Her answer did not disappoint. "Naw. Think I care about that? Allan's an outlaw, and I'd give it to him for free. It's because, I don't like your face. Nor your attitude."
"You have something in common with the Lady Marian, then," Robin told her, grinning. "At least today, you have. But I intend to change that."
"Are we gonna stand here, chewin' the fat, forever? I need to get back. I need my rest before business starts up again."
"My apologies," Robin said, with a slight bow.
His cloak was less than useless on her, for although she should have been swallowed by it, being shorter than Djaq, she didn't care or even notice that it flipped back over her shoulders. He undid his sword belt and looped it around her, closing his cape, while unintentionally locking her arms against her sides.
"What're you doin', you bloody bastard?" she cried. "I can't use my arms!"
"Apologies again. I need to take you to my camp to wait for Allan, so he can escort you home. And, it wouldn't do to flaunt your wares among my men. I've a young man there, who's never seen a woman naked before. At least, I doubt he has, and I'd hate for you to be the first he'd ever see. It would ruin him for lesser mortals."
"I don't get halfa what you say," Maggie complained, somewhat cheered by the mention of Allan taking her back home.
"Now, the question is," Robin mused, "how to get you to my camp? You can't walk, not without shoes. You can't hold onto the saddle pommel, not after I bound your arms under my cape. I doubt you'd let me carry you-"
"You're damn right about that!"
"And so, the only solution I can think of is-"
With a swift motion, Robin grabbed Maggie and slung her over the back of the horse, like a sack of flour.
"Get me off this horse, you bloody bastard, you son of a-"
Robin, tuning out Maggie's colorful descriptions of him, leaped behind her onto the saddle, and wheeled the horse toward his camp.
What a day! He chuckled again, wondering what Lady Cecily would think of Maggie when they met.