"I've been thinking over your problem," Lambert said to Marian over dinner, "and I think I've come up with a solution."
Betraying none of her anxiety over Gisbourne hearing a "problem" mentioned, Marian took a small sip of wine, allowing time to come up with an excuse.
"Problem?" Gisbourne snarled, menacingly. "Marian, as your betrothed, I should be the one to solve all your problems. What have you been discussing with my friend?"
A little half smile was all it took to make Guy melt before her eyes. You see, Robin, I can handle him! Though, of course, I'm glad you aren't here, watching me do it.
"Lambert and I were talking about your iron ore mine," she told Gisbourne, seemingly sincere. "It was so wrong of Hood to destroy it, but typical of the outlaw. I was only wondering if Lambert, being so well versed in science, could come up with a way to reopen it for you."
"Impossible," Gisbourne told her, moved by her beauty, and her desire to help him.
"Not really, Guy," Lambert interjected. "Have you ever heard of a weapon the Saracens use, called Greek Fire?"
"I've seen...I've heard of it," Gisbourne said, catching himself just before admitting he'd watched it destroy one of Philip of France's ships. It wouldn't do to blurt out his secret failed mission to the Holy Land! He needed to guard himself more carefully with Marian, and not let her beauty distract him. Pushing away his wine, he asked, "What, in the name of the King, does Greek Fire have to do with the sheriff's mine?"
"What is Greek Fire?" Marian asked, highly interested.
Lambert grew excited. "It's a terrible weapon," he told her, "consisting of black powder, or a liquid form, that contains a charge, and then explodes, destroying everything it touches."
"It sounds horrific," Marian breathed, while Gisbourne sat back, his eyes boring into her.
"As a weapon, it is," Lambert agreed. "But I've often thought of what good it might do, in the hands of good people."
"You're a dreamer!" Marian said approvingly, with a lovely, genuine smile.
If your brother can be a dreamer, then maybe, so can you, Guy! she was thinking, not realizing she wanted to turn Gisbourne into another Robin.
"Watch out, Lambert," Guy warned him. "There's no place for dreamers in the real world."
"I disagree," Marian told him, being careful to maintain her smile. "Do not dreamers make the world a better place, Guy?"
"If they're not crushed by those in power first," he told her. "I say, save the dreaming for women, and let men take care of the world. Dreaming is fine, if a woman dreams of the children she'll bear."
The look he gave her made her blush, despite her resolve to stay in control.
He was so powerfully built, and so intense, that any hint of the marriage bed they would one day share sent shivers through her.
Lambert rescued her by drawing the conversation back to his plan. "You mentioned, Guy, that you'd like to be the one to solve your lady's problems. I believe you can. I have been studying Greek Fire, and am certain I can come up with its formula. But to do so, I shall need funds. That's where you come in."
The mention of money brought a sneer to Gisbourne's handsome face.
"Will it help the miners?" Marian asked. "Reopen the mine, under safer conditions?"
"It will be safe, as long as the miners respect Greek Fire, and use it carefully. It can blast through earth, and rock, eliminating the need to dig, thus lightening their workload, and bringing iron ore to the service."
"I'll contribute funds," Marian told him, her cheeks flushing with excitement.
"Can you really create Greek Fire, Lambert?" Gisbourne asked, his mind reeling with possibilities of power and death.
"I believe so," Lambert told him.
"Well then, my wealth is at your disposal. Now, Marian," he said, pushing away his chair and rising. "It's a lovely night. Will you be so kind as to give me the pleasure of your company, in a moonlit stroll?"
Marian gulped, then smiled her acceptance up at him.