Returning home to Knighton Hall, Marian drew in her breath sharply when she detected Guy of Gisbourne's black stallion in her yard. If she hadn't suspected Sir Guy of watching her approach through her home's windows, she would have wheeled her horse around and galloped away. But she knew Gisbourne's cold steely eyes had been watching her, waiting for her to return. Steeling herself, she forced on her little half smile and tried to appear at ease as she entered her home.
Her father appeared nervous and uncomfortable, as he usually did in Sir Guy's masterful presence.
"How pleasant to find you here, Sir Guy," Marian lied. "I hope you have been enjoying my father's hospitality."
"I've been waiting for you," Gisbourne said in his low, breathy voice.
"I was not expecting you. It is an honor, of course, to find you here. May I offer you something to eat or drink?"
"I came to see you, not to eat," Gisbourne emphasized, meaning for her father to leave them alone.
Sir Edward understood the man's meaning. "Excuse me. I'll be close at hand," he assured his daughter, before stepping into the next room.
There was an awkward pause after his departure.
"Hood escaped, again," Gisbourne growled, as a means to begin the conversation.
"He did. He did?" Marian nearly betrayed her knowledge of Robin's doings, but caught herself in time. Even so, Gisbourne studied her through narrowed eyes.
"If you'd been mine," he told her, making her uncomfortable by studying her body through its clothing, "I'd have told the king to rot in Hell before leaving you."
Marian found her throat go dry at his unexpected declaration. She gulped before responding. "He made his choice. I, for one, am grateful."
"That pup! Hero of Acre! Look at him now!"
Marian didn't speak. Somehow, she felt angry at Gisbourne for insulting Robin. It made no sense. Robin of Locksley was the one who had earned her anger. Just a few short moments ago, she had been wishing him dead.
Gisbourne had endured imprisonment, defending her against the Lusignans, who had tried to harm her. She wished she knew the details of what had happened, but probably never would, having been drugged by Lady Sybille. Still, she felt she owed the man something.
She felt emotionally drained. If only Gisbourne would go! She was tired, and hungry, and needed to relieve herself. Without meaning to, she let out a small, impatient sigh.
Gisbourne took immediate offense. "Is my company so abhorrent to you, that you sigh to have me go?"
His manner had turned vicious. Marian felt frightened, but refused to show her fear. "Whatever do you mean, Sir Guy? It is an honor to have you visit my father and me."
He seethed, but bit back his curses. Uncertain how to proceed, and uncomfortable in her ladylike presence, he reached inside his coat and drew forth yet another gift for her. "Accept this token of my esteem," he commanded her, trying to gain control over the situation again.
Marian hesitated. Not another gift, to try to buy her affections! She had angered him, she knew. She had little choice but to smile and accept his gift.
"Thank you, Sir Guy," she said, taking the box of hairpins from his hand. "But really, you shouldn't bring me-"
"And you shouldn't lecture a man on what he should and should not do!"
Sir Edward hurriedly reentered the room. "Is anything amiss?" he asked nervously.
Marian was justifiably angry now. With flushed cheeks, she managed to control her voice, so that her words came out regal and aloof.
"Sir Guy is leaving us, Father. Good day, Sir Guy. I hope you will have a pleasant ride back to Nottingham."
Without a word, Gisbourne strode angrily from their house.
Damn that woman and her insolence! He would have her one day, and break her, the way horses were broken, by riding her with force and power! Marian of Knighton would be his, and wouldn't Hood suffer at the thought of it!
His loins burned with fire at the thought of her beautiful body shuddering under his pounding weight.
...
Within Knighton's walls, Marian slammed Gisbourne's gift on a table, and tried to regain control of her emotions.
Men! First Robin, and now Gisbourne! Beauty was a curse, she was thinking. Why couldn't she have been born plain?
"I tried to send him away," her kind, mild mannered father apologized. "He insisted on waiting for you."
"He doesn't accept refusal well," Marian commented. "I'm sure you did your best."
"What will you do now?" Sir Edward asked his daughter.
Marian lifted her chin and proudly answered, "Continue trying to live my life the best way I know how, by helping those in need. It is the only course that makes me happy, Father."
"The Nightwatchman?" Edward asked, with a worried but resigned sigh.
"Yes. I will be careful. But I must do something to help. I have had enough of feeling useless."
And, she thought to herself, I have had more than enough of continuing to mope after Robin. Let Cecily win him, if she could! Men brought nothing but unhappiness anyway.