Chapter 3

"Son, the deal is done. They are to be wed."

"To hell with that. I want her hand, her hand in marriage. AND his head in a noose."

"Robin, I want you to marry somebody else… someone befitting a queen."

I threw my hands in the air "She's already a princess!"

"Not her, anyone but her. I don't want another one of my children marrying a Merryweather."

"She would be a De Noir, an even trade."

My father pondered on this for a bit "But they already announced-"

"Yes and he will be dealt with meaning their engagement ruse will be just that a ruse."

"Robin=="

"I will marry her otherwise I relinquish my claim as heir."

"Fine." My father snarled out. "Fletcher, your fate is yet to meet a rope…but if you do not dismiss this engagement to the Princess, I will have no other option but introduce you to it."

Fletcher stood up, and had a wide grin on his face. "Why yes my Uncle. I will disengage with the Princess."

I glared at him. What is he playing at? "I want his head father."

"He is family" My father said.

"I will kill you if you ever breathe the same air as her."

****** 2 months later*******

"Maria dear, the carriage is here." Ms. H. said.

" ? For what?" I peeked at her standing in the doorway of the parlor. Dressed in london fashion as usual.

"Well, you see…ummm–we've decided you will be attending finishing school in London."

My book fell from my grasp and clunked on the floor. My mouth gaped open.

"Good heavens Maria. Close your mouth dear it's much unattractive."

"Ms. Heliotrope, I can't go to finishing school. My life is here. With Robin."

"You are too young to be involved with men–if you could even call him that. He will be here when you finish. It's only 4 years.

"I will be gone for 4 years? I'll be twenty"

"A perfect age to enter society… who knows, maybe a lovely gentleman in London will catch your interests. Come along dear we have a carriage to catch."

I bit my tongue. I need to say goodbye to him. We always met at half passed nine in the morning at the clearing closest to the Manor. As of now I had 15 minutes to meet him there. "I would like a few minutes to say goodbye to Periwinkle."

"Very well but only a few minutes."

I stood immediately from my seat and walked towards the door and as soon as I was out of sight I started running and didn't stop until I made it to the clearing. Tears were streaming down my eyes. I stumbled to the ground and sat there. I waited only two minutes when I heard footsteps nearby. I wiped my tears away and stood. I met Robin's eyes who was just a few feet away. His eyes instanyl fell at the sight of mine.

"What's wrong?" He broke the distance with two strides and took me into hsi arms. Oh the smell of pine and leather. How I will miss this.

I pushed out a bit and looked into his eyes. "I'm leaving."

His face was puzzled "Leaving? To Silverydew? I will be ok, perhaps I may accompany you?"

"No Robin. I'm leaving. Leaving Moonacre."

"What?"

"Today. I'm off to London for 4 years. Ms. Heliotrope and Uncle have decided it best for me to attend finishing school."

His eyes fell along with his mouth. "I don't believe it."

"Robin I am leaving now. And I-"

"You will not be leaving, not if I have any say in the matter."

"Robin what can you possibly do?"

"Well for one I can talk to them."

"I leave today, they already made up their minds."

"Fine. You can't leave if they can't find you." With that he picked me up and threw me on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Put me down! This will not change anything!"

"I am not letting you go out of my sight. You will be my wife and they just will have to accept that."

I blushed pink, pondering the idea of being 'kidnapped' and realizing how much my Uncle would disapprove of Robin–even more than he does now. "Robin please put me down. I must go back. I must go." Pleading in my voice.

"I will not let you get away from me Princess." He walked us until we got to one of the trails that led to the castle. We were a few feet away from the gate when we saw the Manor's carriage come rolling towards us. It stopped and out came a very angry Uncle. Robin let me to my feet.

"Maria Merryweather! Make haste to have your behind in this coach. NOW!" He bellowed his face turning red. He took a few steps forward and jabbed a finger into Robin's chest. "You my boy have just made your marriage proposal denied. You will NEVER call her your intended." I gapped.

"Uncle, HOW dare you-" I was smacked across the face. A clenched my teeth and held a hand to my cheek that was already turning red.

Robin's face turned a deep red and his eyes almost blackened it seemed. He lurched foward throwing a fist into Uncle's jaw. The two battled it out for what seemed to be and hour but really only a minute as the De Noir guards separated the two.

"What in the bloody hell is happening out here!" Bellowed Coeur De Noir.

"He kindpaped my niece."

"I did no such thing. I was just protecting her from the likes of society."

"What in the bloody hell are you talking about." Couer demanded.

"She's being forced to leave for London. For 4 years at that." Robin huffed.

"She is to become a Lady." Uncle said.

"I'm already a Lady Uncle. This is my home. I don't want to leave."

"Robin, she needs to attend finishing school."

"NO. I want her to be wife. Tomorrow. Heck today by the end of day."

I gulped. Couer De Noir raised an eyebrow and let out a chuckle. "You both are barely out of leading strings."

"Agreed." Uncle added.

"When the time is right you may do as you wish Robin, and if Sir Benjamin allows it."

"Father I-"

"Enough I will hear no more. She is to be off to become a proper lady."

"Maria lets go." Uncle said. I shook my head and I ran into Robin's arms.

"Don't forget about me." And I let go and made my way to the carriage.