The next several days were torture for Marian, for she knew Robin was jealous and angry. He stayed away, avoiding her, and she was far too proud to go to him. Besides, she tried telling herself, he had no right to feel so, when she'd done nothing wrong.
The evening of Guy's dinner party, Marian had refused to leave Locksley until Guy returned, feigning concern over him when in actuality, her every thought and prayer were for Robin's safety. While waiting, she'd had the opportunity to tell Lambert about the outlaw Guy was hunting.
"Tales of him have reached Yorkshire," Lambert informed her, "though I never realized he was real. I always considered him a hero, not an enemy."
More and more, Marian liked the quiet, thoughtful man seated beside her, though he lacked warmth and charm. "Don't let Guy hear you say that," she cautioned, unable to relax until she knew Robin's fate. Just to be safe, she added, "Robin Hood may champion the poor, but it's at your bro...your friend's expense. Surely there are better ways to help those in need, than breaking the law and defying the sheriff."
"Such as invention, and science," Lambert agreed. "With Guy's and your help, Lady Marian, I hope to do just that."
"You're a good man," Marian told him, sincerely.
Lambert was indeed, a good man, Marian mused a few days later, riding over the bridge into Nottingham.
The destitute who had no other roof over their heads other than the wooden bridge she was crossing on Vesper's back, actually looked cheerful today, which surprised her. She also noticed there were noticeably fewer of them, which worried her so much, she reined her horse and asked a guard, "Where have some of the families gone, who used to live here?"
"Neighboring villages, Your Ladyship," the guard explained, to her vast relief. "Somehow, they've been placed in homes, family by family. If this keeps up, there won't be any more worthless sots dirtying up our bridge."
Robin! How do you do it? God bless you, but for Heaven's sake, be careful!
One final glance at the families she longed to feed by night as the Nightwatchman, but couldn't since they were always under the watchful eyes of Nottingham guards, alerted her as to why they seemed cheerful this Thursday. A glint of sunlight struck a coin clasped tightly in an old man's gnarled fingers.
So! Robin must be here, today, in Nottingham, passing out money!
Marian's heart beat faster, and she knew not whether to run toward, or away from the town.
Never one to run away, she took a deep, steadying breath, then clicked her tongue to signal Vesper forward.
Where was he? The crowd was thick with people, most of them smiling, which was an unusual sight these dark, grim days.
She felt his eyes on her, before she saw him. Proudly lifting her chin, she turned, and met his accusing gaze. There were swarms of people surrounding him and Much, but to Marian, it seemed as if she and Robin were alone in the marketplace.
Enough! she told herself. Since you insist upon being so stubborn and difficult, we might as well have this out now.
Quickly locating a draped stall where they might hold a few moments of unobserved conversation, Marian signalled to Robin with her eyes to follow her within its shelter, then waited for him, with pounding heart. But it was Much who anxiously drew back the hanging cloth and faced her, not Robin.
"What do you want, milady?" he asked her, more brisk than polite.
"I wanted to speak to Robin," she told him, though it cost her to say it.
"Robin's busy, as if you couldn't tell. He sent me, instead. He wants to know if...if..."
"If what?" she cried out, impatient and frustrated.
"I forgot! Oh, I hate this! Just a moment! I'll be back! Don't go anywhere!"
Alone once more, Marian clenched and unclenched her fists, hating this moment even more than Much could possibly hate it.
Unknowingly, her eyes lit up for the briefest instant, when she saw Robin pull back the drape and step inside. Just as quickly, however, her face hardened, to match the cold pride eminating from his handsome stare.
"Well, Marian," he coldly began, "what's so important that you steal time away from your gallant fiance, to waste time with me?"
It took all her breeding to stop her jaw from dropping open.