Realizing how "innocent" Maggie truly was, Robin decided he needed to take action to prevent her interview with Gisbourne from proving dangerous, both to her and to Marian. He determined he had two choices. Either he could find another, shrewder woman to pose as Marian's potential housemaid, or he could take Maggie to Marian, and let Marian conduct an actual mock interview. Because time was essential, he selected the second option.
Robin could see that Cecily was clearly upset with him. If he had time, he would go to her and try to smooth things over. But he didn't. Not when Gisbourne was breathing down Marian's neck. Cecily and her dramatics would have to wait.
"Alright, lads," he announced. "I need to leave you again."
"Again?" Much objected. "But, Master, you only just returned!"
Much wasn't the only one distraught by the news. Lady Cecily tossed her pride aside and rushed to face Robin.
"Please, Robin darling, don't leave me again!"
"I have to go," he told her, put off by her calling him "darling." "You'll be perfectly safe here, with my men looking after you."
Cecily looked in disgust at the other outlaws, especially at Allan. "How can you say that?" she demanded.
"There isn't time to argue. Just trust me, alright?" Robin left Cecily's side and approached Maggie. "Maggie," he said, "you need to come with me."
"Are you taking me to my new house in Pitt Street?' she asked, excited by the prospect.
"There isn't any house. It's only pretend."
"Damn you! I should of known! Just like all them other snot nosed lords! Promise a girl one thing, and then don't deliver!"
Between Cecily's indignant matryred stare and Maggie's outright confusion, Robin wanted to tear at his hair, the way Much frequently pulled at his serf's cap. He mastered his annoyance, and quickly explained. "Lady Marian is going to interview you for a position in her household. She probably won't be able to hire you at this time, but there's always a chance. Will you come with me to Knighton Hall?"
"I'll go, if Allan comes along."
"Allan?" Robin asked, unable to hide his impatience.
"Yeah, I'll come. It's not for real, though, Magpie," Allan explained. "It's just to fool Gisbourne."
"Oh! Why didn't he say so?"
At that, Robin let out a groan. Thankful that Maggie seemed to grasp the plan at last, he led the two away, toward Knighton, not caring a whit for Cecily's wounded look as he dashed away.
...
"You know what I've noticed about Marian," Allan told Robin, as the trio drew near to Knighton. "I mean, aside from her obvious attractions. Not bein' funny, but they're what makes my eyes bug out."
Robin shot Allan a look of warning, but was surprised by Maggie's loud fit of giggling. Maggie wasn't threatened or jealous by Allan's insinuation. Robin decided he shouldn't be either.
"Alright, Allan," he invited, friendly again, "tell us what you've noticed about Her Ladyship. That is, if it's something you wouldn't mind telling her to her face."
"Yeah, it's nothin' bad. I've noticed," Allan mentioned, casually, "Marian always looks for the best in people, 'cept for you. She's hard on you."
"She's angry at me," Robin admitted. "I hurt her, and I don't think she'll ever forgive me for what I did."
Allan lowered his voice to a confidential whisper. "What'd you do? Steal her maidenhead or something?"
Instantly, he regretted his words.
Robin seized him by the neckline of his shirt and glared daggers at him.
"Alright, alright!" Allan coaxed. "You didn't! Everything's still intact!"
Robin released Allan with a shove, and stormed ahead. Allan lagged behind, with Maggie. "Remind me never to make him angry again," he told her, rubbing his sore neck.