Threats More Subtle Than Swords, Part 8
+++++
It had been another exhausting day for Guy, still blindfolded, his hands still tied together, still being dragged around the forest by Robin Hood and forced to carry food for starving peasants. They were so busy that Guy wondered how the outlaws ever found time to sneak into the castle, as he was sure they often did. Finally, however, Robin pronounced them finished for the day, and Guy breathed a silent sight of relief. Although he would never admit it, he was secretly looking forward to getting back to the outlaws' camp. At least there he could have the blindfold off and be able to see something.
But when they got to the structure, Guy discovered that it was Much who had been leading him, and Robin was no longer there. Much heated up some leftover stew and handed around the remains of the bread that Robin had brought back from Nottingham that morning, and they ate in silence. No doubt Robin had gone to Locksley again, Guy mused, enraged that Hood could just walk into his house, into his bedchamber, and be with Marian, while he was tied up out here, with no way of seeing Marian or even getting any news until Hood came back.
"That poor girl," Much said suddenly.
"Who?" Will asked, surprised enough that he stopped whittling for a few seconds.
"The Sheriff's daughter. Her mother obviously didn't tell her that she was being left behind. I felt bad having to lie to her."
Obviously, the other outlaws felt the same, to judge by their faces. Guy sneered. "Oh, and I suppose you're going to feel bad about stealing from the Sheriff soon, too."
Much gave him a dirty look, but otherwise ignored him. Guy rolled his eyes and reminded himself that people abandoned their children all the time. His mother certainly hadn't announced that she was going to come down with a bad fever and die. His father might have told them he was going to war, but he hadn't written to say he was going to be skewered by an enemy sword on a particular date. And sometimes sheriffs found out that their lieutenants had bastards and convinced them that it would be in their best interests – but he wasn't going to think about that now. He tried never to think about that.
"She's going to feel even worse once she hears her mother is dead," Will said quietly. "Imagine being stuck with the Sheriff like that."
"Imagine finding out the Sheriff is your father," Much said. "I don't know what would be worse, not having any family, or having family like him."
"She won't be with the Sheriff long," Will remarked. "Not if he's sending her to the Earl of Durham."
"From the frying pan into the fire." Much gave a little sigh. "Remember when we were rescuing Beatrice? John of York told me that the Earl is older than the Sheriff and twice as ugly. He's already killed two wives and he'll only accept a third because he wants an heir."
"Killed?" John asked. "Two wives?"
"Well, officially, they died in accidents," Much said. "Fell down the stairs, choked on a strawberry while eating in the bedchamber, that sort of thing. But the talk is that they were barren and he wanted to try again with someone new."
Guy thought of Marian. She was so perfect, she just couldn't be barren, could she? No, she'd give him an heir, once they were married. She'd give him a whole brood of children, and he would never miss– but he wasn't going to think about that. Instead, he told himself that he would never need to consider pushing Marian down the stairs so he could be free to marry again. If he married her in the first place, of course. She had to live through this illness. If only he could see her, make sure she was still alive! Guy shifted restlessly, and all the outlaws glanced at him as though expecting him to jump to his feet and start running.
"Maybe the Earl will refuse to take her," Will said, getting back to the conversation once they had determined that Guy wasn't about to claw his way out of the camp.
"If he does, maybe the Sheriff will try to marry her to Gisborne," Much teased.
"Maybe the Sheriff will try to marry her to the Earl of Bonchurch," Guy shot back, and to his surprise, Will and John actually laughed. Much looked distinctly put out, and grumpily decided it was time for Guy to go to bed.
The next morning, Guy was awakened by a splash of water in his face. He reared up, only to be caught short by the rope with which Much had tied his hands to the bedframe. Robin Hood stood over him, holding a dripping water flask and grinning down at him in that smug, superior way.
"Good news, Gisborne," he announced. "Marian's going to live."
The sense of relief that Guy felt was almost overwhelming. To hide it, he made a show of wiping his face on his upper arm, getting out of the bunk as much as he could, and finally saying, "I suppose you'll be wanting your pet Saracen back, then?"
Djaq herself stepped into view. "I am already back."
"I brought her out of Locksley this morning," Robin said, reaching for the blindfold around Guy's neck and pulling it back up over his eyes. "Now it's time to get you out of our camp."
"Marian is still very weak," Djaq cautioned as Robin untied the end of the rope and put his hand on Guy's shoulder to guide him. "She will need much rest still. I have given instructions to the women in the house on how to care for her, and left some herbs there, too."
Guy felt a most uncharacteristic urge to thank her, but although he hesitated, turning his head towards the sound of her voice, the words just wouldn't come. He finally settled for a nod.
Robin led him through the forest for what seemed like an eternity before finally stopping. Guy felt something move near his fingers and heard the snick of a sword cutting through rope. Then Robin grabbed him by the wrist and pulled so hard that Guy fell flat on his face. Something landed in the leaves near his head, and he heard Robin lope away laughing.
Angrily, Guy rolled to a sitting position and pulled the blindfold down, but Robin was long gone. He was just inside the forest, close to the road, with Locksley visible beyond the trees. Robin had probably run in the opposite direction, but now, with Marian so close, Guy couldn't care less where the outlaw had gone. His sword lay on the forest floor nearby, and Guy leaned over to pick it up. Clamping it between his legs, he used the blade to cut the rope from around his wrists. It took several sawing motions, but at last the rope parted, and he was free. Ignoring the raw welts around both wrists, Guy stood up, jammed his sword into its sheath, and raced to Locksley Manor.
He flung open the door and bounded up the stairs, surprising the cook in the kitchen and almost barrelling into Gunilda as she opened the door to the bedroom to see what was happening.
"How is she?" Guy demanded, pushing her to one side so that he could enter. Although he'd ordered Gunilda to bring up a brazier, it was gone now, and one of the windows was even wide open. Marian lay on the bed, curled on her side, and Guy knelt down and reached out a tentative hand to stroke her face. Her skin was only warm, not hot.
Marian opened her eyes and blinked up at him. "Guy!"
"Shh," he told her. "Don't talk."
She didn't seem to hear him. Glancing around, she asked, "Where am I?"
"In my home," he said. "You've been very ill, but you're better now."
She looked back at him, and with a smile, he ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek. "You should rest."
"I had the strangest dreams," she murmured. "Djaq was here – and Robin."
"They're not here," Guy told her. "I'm here now. Go back to sleep."
And as Marian closed her eyes, Guy whispered, "Dream of me."
+++++
Guy rode to the castle after midday, when he was sure that Marian was truly recovering. His search for the Sheriff brought him face to face with Laurencia in a corridor near the great hall. She stopped and stared, her mouth moving once as though she were about to speak. Guy waited expectantly, with a touch of impatience, but when she did not address him, he went on and found a servant who told him that the Sheriff exercising his falcon up on the battlements.
"My lord," Guy said, emerging through the door at the top of the stairs.
The Sheriff had been watching his falcon's flight, but turned and looked at Guy in surprise. "Gisborne! I thought you were supposed to be dying. I had your funeral half planned already."
Guy ignored the jibe. "I have been spying on Robin Hood, my lord."
"Really? I'm surprised you could drag yourself away, what with Marion so sick. What did you find out?"
"Lady Prospera paid Hood to tell you that he had taken her hostage. She gave him a dress and a necklace to give to you as proof while she simply rode away and left her daughter behind." Guy thought he heard a noise from the stairwell, but when he looked, he could see nothing but the dark interior.
The Sheriff had stood in silence for a long moment, but then he suddenly shouted, "I knew it! I knew she was planning something! All that talk about an abbey in Leicester and her daughter's very small dowry! Hah! This couldn't have gone better if I'd planned it, Gisborne! She thought she was playing me, but she's played right into my hands! This will only make it easier to marry her to the Earl of Durham, we won't have to ride to Leicester and get her out of that convent!"
"Yes, my lord. But you should know—" Guy stopped, waiting for the Sheriff to finish his little victory dance.
"Know what?"
"Laurencia rode into the forest and practically begged Hood to take her hostage, too."
"What!" the Sheriff shrieked.
"When Hood's gang told her it was another gang who'd taken her mother hostage, she believed them. She even wanted to pay them to help her find this other gang."
"When was this?" the Sheriff asked.
"Yesterday afternoon.".
"Obviously, they didn't help her, because she came back," the Sheriff mused.
"Obviously," Guy agreed. "I think they told her to go because they're planning to rob her dowry."
"Hood's so predictable. I rather expected that, which is why I asked the Earl to come to Nottingham," the Sheriff said. "They can get married here, and by the time the dowry moves through the Forest, Hood and his men will be robbing from him and not from me."
"Yes, my lord," Guy said.
"But she might try something else, especially if Hood's gang keep up their pretense and send word that her mother is dead. Send your men to keep an eye on her, Gisborne. Don't let her go into the forest again until the Earl gets here," the Sheriff commanded. He put up his arm, and his falcon landed on it.
"Yes, my lord." Guy went through the door and down the stairs, grateful that the Sheriff had accepted his story about spying on Hood and hadn't asked for details. He didn't want to admit exactly how he'd acquired his information. The Sheriff would not only never let him live it down, he'd also complain about Guy's incompetence in not being able to find out where the outlaws' camp was.
Laurencia was in the courtyard with Allan. They were apparently about to ride out, as the stableboy was bringing their horses around, when Guy came down the stairs and stopped him with a gesture. Laurencia stiffened, then turned around and saw him.
"Where are you going, Laurencia?" he asked.
She blushed bright red and looked away as she murmured, "Just for a ride, Sir Guy."
"No. You're under house arrest now, Sheriff's orders." Guy motioned for the stable boy to return the horses, then fixed his attention on Allan. "Laurencia is not to leave the castle. You watch her at all times."
"What? Why?" Laurencia cried.
"The punishment for consorting with outlaws is a hanging," Guy told her sternly. Laurencia shut her mouth and narrowed her eyes, exactly like the Sheriff did when he was considering something, then turned suddenly and slapped Allan hard across the cheek.
"What was that for?" Allan cried, but Laurencia didn't answer, just marched up the steps into the castle. Guy glared at Allan until the man followed, ruefully rubbing his face.
+++++
Allan followed Laurencia to her room. At the door, she whirled around. "You told him!"
"What?"
Laurencia looked both ways, then opened the door to her chamber and practically pulled him inside. Closing the door and leaning against it, she hissed, "You told them that I went out to speak to Robin Hood!"
"I didn't! I swear!" Alan told her indignantly. "Remember how I pinched you to keep you from even mentioning it?"
"Is that what that was for?" Laurencia asked, regarding him suspiciously.
"Well, yeah! I had to do something to keep you from, you know, telling the Sheriff you'd been consorting with outlaws. I mean, I didn't want him to have to hang you or anything."
Laurencia's harsh expression melted somewhat, but then worry took over again. "So how did they know? Why else would the Sheriff keep me under house arrest, why else would Sir Guy give me such a warning?"
"I dunno." Alan wasn't sure himself, until he remembered where Guy had been the last two days. When he'd met up with Robin and the gang by the stream, they'd had Guy with them, blindfolded and tied to the end of a rope. No wonder Robin had been hiding in the trees while the rest of the outlaws confronted them on the road! You couldn't rob somebody when you were dragging a prisoner around. Well, you could, but it was awkward, and Robin never liked to appear awkward.
"And another thing!" Laurencia said. "I heard Sir Guy tell the Sheriff that my mother paid Robin Hood to tell him that she'd been taken hostage, when she's really just ridden away and left me here. What do you know about that?"
"Nothing," Allan said. "But it sounds more like Robin. I never thought he'd start kidnapping people, that's just not like him … I mean, according to what I've heard."
Laurencia began to search the chest by the window, then moved on to checking one or two limp saddle bags on the floor next to it. Dropping them, she let her shoulders slump. "All her things are gone. I should have realized she was planning something! She probably never meant to take me to Leicester at all, she probably meant to bring me here all along. I've seen her manipulate other people, but I never thought it could happen to me. I thought she loved me."
"Why would she do that?" Allan asked, confused and appalled at Lady Prospera's behaviour. She'd seemed so nice when he'd met her.
"I—I don't know," Laurencia said. "She didn't need to get rid of me, I'm not in her way, and I never would have hurt her. I never spoke to anybody about her lover, not even when the Earl was still alive."
"Her lover?" Allan asked.
"There's a man I've seen with her several times – the younger son of a nobleman," Laurencia said. "He's older than I am, maybe as old as Sir Guy, but he's younger than Mother. He's so vain. Whenever he visits us, he goes out to buy something at the market, and makes a point of showing it off to me or anybody else he runs across."
"Is he rich?" Allan asked.
"They all say he's got no money," Laurencia said, "but he spends like he does."
"So where's he get the coin to spend at market?"
"I don't know. Do you think he borrows it from somebody?"
Allan tried to phrase it delicately. "Do you think your mother might be giving him a little something?"
Laurencia stared at him. "The only money she could legally put her hands on is –" Her face changed to one of shock. "My dowry!"
She made an inarticulate sound of rage, and Allan stared at her. "Everybody says you don't have any dowry."
"Mother was stretching the truth a little when she told the Sheriff that my dowry was very small," Laurencia said. "But – oh! It all fits! That's the only reason she could have! Bringing me here, pretending to be dead so I'd have to stay with my father – it all comes down to my dowry!"
She clenched her hands to fists. "Maybe my mother wasn't stretching the truth. Maybe my dowry is very small by now. In fact, maybe it's already gone, maybe she's been buying him – his love – with that money that was meant for me!"
Laurencia glanced at Allan with such rage and pain in her face that he winced in sympathy.
"How can she do that?" she demanded. "How could she steal like that, from her own daughter!"
Allan reflected that Laurencia must have grown up quite sheltered from the real world. He'd met plenty of people who would, and did, exactly that, including the Sheriff. Laurencia went on. "And how could he take money for … that?"
"You'd be surprised at what people'll do for money," Allan heard himself say. Fortunately, Laurencia didn't seem to be listening. "Does he love her, or only pretend he does? What happens when the money runs out? And if she's giving it all to him, bit by bit, then why bring me here and leave me? Why not just kill me and take it all?"
"Hey, just because someone can lie and steal doesn't make them a murderer," Allan said. "Maybe she couldn't look you in the eye anymore, knowing what she was doing."
Laurencia looked at him for a long moment, then turned away to face the window, raising one fist and beating against the stone wall. "And Robin Hood helped her! I hate him for that, and for lying to me!"
Allan shifted uncomfortably, wondering if it really was Robin that she hated, or her mother. Still battering the wall, Laurencia went on. " And to think that I begged him to take me to her. I loved her, I was worried sick about her! But she—"
All the fire went out of her just then, and she stopped speaking, letting her hands drop. After a very long moment, Allan asked, "What?"
Laurencia's voice sounded very close to crying. "She didn't think twice about leaving me behind."
Part 9
It had been another exhausting day for Guy, still blindfolded, his hands still tied together, still being dragged around the forest by Robin Hood and forced to carry food for starving peasants. They were so busy that Guy wondered how the outlaws ever found time to sneak into the castle, as he was sure they often did. Finally, however, Robin pronounced them finished for the day, and Guy breathed a silent sight of relief. Although he would never admit it, he was secretly looking forward to getting back to the outlaws' camp. At least there he could have the blindfold off and be able to see something.
But when they got to the structure, Guy discovered that it was Much who had been leading him, and Robin was no longer there. Much heated up some leftover stew and handed around the remains of the bread that Robin had brought back from Nottingham that morning, and they ate in silence. No doubt Robin had gone to Locksley again, Guy mused, enraged that Hood could just walk into his house, into his bedchamber, and be with Marian, while he was tied up out here, with no way of seeing Marian or even getting any news until Hood came back.
"That poor girl," Much said suddenly.
"Who?" Will asked, surprised enough that he stopped whittling for a few seconds.
"The Sheriff's daughter. Her mother obviously didn't tell her that she was being left behind. I felt bad having to lie to her."
Obviously, the other outlaws felt the same, to judge by their faces. Guy sneered. "Oh, and I suppose you're going to feel bad about stealing from the Sheriff soon, too."
Much gave him a dirty look, but otherwise ignored him. Guy rolled his eyes and reminded himself that people abandoned their children all the time. His mother certainly hadn't announced that she was going to come down with a bad fever and die. His father might have told them he was going to war, but he hadn't written to say he was going to be skewered by an enemy sword on a particular date. And sometimes sheriffs found out that their lieutenants had bastards and convinced them that it would be in their best interests – but he wasn't going to think about that now. He tried never to think about that.
"She's going to feel even worse once she hears her mother is dead," Will said quietly. "Imagine being stuck with the Sheriff like that."
"Imagine finding out the Sheriff is your father," Much said. "I don't know what would be worse, not having any family, or having family like him."
"She won't be with the Sheriff long," Will remarked. "Not if he's sending her to the Earl of Durham."
"From the frying pan into the fire." Much gave a little sigh. "Remember when we were rescuing Beatrice? John of York told me that the Earl is older than the Sheriff and twice as ugly. He's already killed two wives and he'll only accept a third because he wants an heir."
"Killed?" John asked. "Two wives?"
"Well, officially, they died in accidents," Much said. "Fell down the stairs, choked on a strawberry while eating in the bedchamber, that sort of thing. But the talk is that they were barren and he wanted to try again with someone new."
Guy thought of Marian. She was so perfect, she just couldn't be barren, could she? No, she'd give him an heir, once they were married. She'd give him a whole brood of children, and he would never miss– but he wasn't going to think about that. Instead, he told himself that he would never need to consider pushing Marian down the stairs so he could be free to marry again. If he married her in the first place, of course. She had to live through this illness. If only he could see her, make sure she was still alive! Guy shifted restlessly, and all the outlaws glanced at him as though expecting him to jump to his feet and start running.
"Maybe the Earl will refuse to take her," Will said, getting back to the conversation once they had determined that Guy wasn't about to claw his way out of the camp.
"If he does, maybe the Sheriff will try to marry her to Gisborne," Much teased.
"Maybe the Sheriff will try to marry her to the Earl of Bonchurch," Guy shot back, and to his surprise, Will and John actually laughed. Much looked distinctly put out, and grumpily decided it was time for Guy to go to bed.
The next morning, Guy was awakened by a splash of water in his face. He reared up, only to be caught short by the rope with which Much had tied his hands to the bedframe. Robin Hood stood over him, holding a dripping water flask and grinning down at him in that smug, superior way.
"Good news, Gisborne," he announced. "Marian's going to live."
The sense of relief that Guy felt was almost overwhelming. To hide it, he made a show of wiping his face on his upper arm, getting out of the bunk as much as he could, and finally saying, "I suppose you'll be wanting your pet Saracen back, then?"
Djaq herself stepped into view. "I am already back."
"I brought her out of Locksley this morning," Robin said, reaching for the blindfold around Guy's neck and pulling it back up over his eyes. "Now it's time to get you out of our camp."
"Marian is still very weak," Djaq cautioned as Robin untied the end of the rope and put his hand on Guy's shoulder to guide him. "She will need much rest still. I have given instructions to the women in the house on how to care for her, and left some herbs there, too."
Guy felt a most uncharacteristic urge to thank her, but although he hesitated, turning his head towards the sound of her voice, the words just wouldn't come. He finally settled for a nod.
Robin led him through the forest for what seemed like an eternity before finally stopping. Guy felt something move near his fingers and heard the snick of a sword cutting through rope. Then Robin grabbed him by the wrist and pulled so hard that Guy fell flat on his face. Something landed in the leaves near his head, and he heard Robin lope away laughing.
Angrily, Guy rolled to a sitting position and pulled the blindfold down, but Robin was long gone. He was just inside the forest, close to the road, with Locksley visible beyond the trees. Robin had probably run in the opposite direction, but now, with Marian so close, Guy couldn't care less where the outlaw had gone. His sword lay on the forest floor nearby, and Guy leaned over to pick it up. Clamping it between his legs, he used the blade to cut the rope from around his wrists. It took several sawing motions, but at last the rope parted, and he was free. Ignoring the raw welts around both wrists, Guy stood up, jammed his sword into its sheath, and raced to Locksley Manor.
He flung open the door and bounded up the stairs, surprising the cook in the kitchen and almost barrelling into Gunilda as she opened the door to the bedroom to see what was happening.
"How is she?" Guy demanded, pushing her to one side so that he could enter. Although he'd ordered Gunilda to bring up a brazier, it was gone now, and one of the windows was even wide open. Marian lay on the bed, curled on her side, and Guy knelt down and reached out a tentative hand to stroke her face. Her skin was only warm, not hot.
Marian opened her eyes and blinked up at him. "Guy!"
"Shh," he told her. "Don't talk."
She didn't seem to hear him. Glancing around, she asked, "Where am I?"
"In my home," he said. "You've been very ill, but you're better now."
She looked back at him, and with a smile, he ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek. "You should rest."
"I had the strangest dreams," she murmured. "Djaq was here – and Robin."
"They're not here," Guy told her. "I'm here now. Go back to sleep."
And as Marian closed her eyes, Guy whispered, "Dream of me."
+++++
Guy rode to the castle after midday, when he was sure that Marian was truly recovering. His search for the Sheriff brought him face to face with Laurencia in a corridor near the great hall. She stopped and stared, her mouth moving once as though she were about to speak. Guy waited expectantly, with a touch of impatience, but when she did not address him, he went on and found a servant who told him that the Sheriff exercising his falcon up on the battlements.
"My lord," Guy said, emerging through the door at the top of the stairs.
The Sheriff had been watching his falcon's flight, but turned and looked at Guy in surprise. "Gisborne! I thought you were supposed to be dying. I had your funeral half planned already."
Guy ignored the jibe. "I have been spying on Robin Hood, my lord."
"Really? I'm surprised you could drag yourself away, what with Marion so sick. What did you find out?"
"Lady Prospera paid Hood to tell you that he had taken her hostage. She gave him a dress and a necklace to give to you as proof while she simply rode away and left her daughter behind." Guy thought he heard a noise from the stairwell, but when he looked, he could see nothing but the dark interior.
The Sheriff had stood in silence for a long moment, but then he suddenly shouted, "I knew it! I knew she was planning something! All that talk about an abbey in Leicester and her daughter's very small dowry! Hah! This couldn't have gone better if I'd planned it, Gisborne! She thought she was playing me, but she's played right into my hands! This will only make it easier to marry her to the Earl of Durham, we won't have to ride to Leicester and get her out of that convent!"
"Yes, my lord. But you should know—" Guy stopped, waiting for the Sheriff to finish his little victory dance.
"Know what?"
"Laurencia rode into the forest and practically begged Hood to take her hostage, too."
"What!" the Sheriff shrieked.
"When Hood's gang told her it was another gang who'd taken her mother hostage, she believed them. She even wanted to pay them to help her find this other gang."
"When was this?" the Sheriff asked.
"Yesterday afternoon.".
"Obviously, they didn't help her, because she came back," the Sheriff mused.
"Obviously," Guy agreed. "I think they told her to go because they're planning to rob her dowry."
"Hood's so predictable. I rather expected that, which is why I asked the Earl to come to Nottingham," the Sheriff said. "They can get married here, and by the time the dowry moves through the Forest, Hood and his men will be robbing from him and not from me."
"Yes, my lord," Guy said.
"But she might try something else, especially if Hood's gang keep up their pretense and send word that her mother is dead. Send your men to keep an eye on her, Gisborne. Don't let her go into the forest again until the Earl gets here," the Sheriff commanded. He put up his arm, and his falcon landed on it.
"Yes, my lord." Guy went through the door and down the stairs, grateful that the Sheriff had accepted his story about spying on Hood and hadn't asked for details. He didn't want to admit exactly how he'd acquired his information. The Sheriff would not only never let him live it down, he'd also complain about Guy's incompetence in not being able to find out where the outlaws' camp was.
Laurencia was in the courtyard with Allan. They were apparently about to ride out, as the stableboy was bringing their horses around, when Guy came down the stairs and stopped him with a gesture. Laurencia stiffened, then turned around and saw him.
"Where are you going, Laurencia?" he asked.
She blushed bright red and looked away as she murmured, "Just for a ride, Sir Guy."
"No. You're under house arrest now, Sheriff's orders." Guy motioned for the stable boy to return the horses, then fixed his attention on Allan. "Laurencia is not to leave the castle. You watch her at all times."
"What? Why?" Laurencia cried.
"The punishment for consorting with outlaws is a hanging," Guy told her sternly. Laurencia shut her mouth and narrowed her eyes, exactly like the Sheriff did when he was considering something, then turned suddenly and slapped Allan hard across the cheek.
"What was that for?" Allan cried, but Laurencia didn't answer, just marched up the steps into the castle. Guy glared at Allan until the man followed, ruefully rubbing his face.
+++++
Allan followed Laurencia to her room. At the door, she whirled around. "You told him!"
"What?"
Laurencia looked both ways, then opened the door to her chamber and practically pulled him inside. Closing the door and leaning against it, she hissed, "You told them that I went out to speak to Robin Hood!"
"I didn't! I swear!" Alan told her indignantly. "Remember how I pinched you to keep you from even mentioning it?"
"Is that what that was for?" Laurencia asked, regarding him suspiciously.
"Well, yeah! I had to do something to keep you from, you know, telling the Sheriff you'd been consorting with outlaws. I mean, I didn't want him to have to hang you or anything."
Laurencia's harsh expression melted somewhat, but then worry took over again. "So how did they know? Why else would the Sheriff keep me under house arrest, why else would Sir Guy give me such a warning?"
"I dunno." Alan wasn't sure himself, until he remembered where Guy had been the last two days. When he'd met up with Robin and the gang by the stream, they'd had Guy with them, blindfolded and tied to the end of a rope. No wonder Robin had been hiding in the trees while the rest of the outlaws confronted them on the road! You couldn't rob somebody when you were dragging a prisoner around. Well, you could, but it was awkward, and Robin never liked to appear awkward.
"And another thing!" Laurencia said. "I heard Sir Guy tell the Sheriff that my mother paid Robin Hood to tell him that she'd been taken hostage, when she's really just ridden away and left me here. What do you know about that?"
"Nothing," Allan said. "But it sounds more like Robin. I never thought he'd start kidnapping people, that's just not like him … I mean, according to what I've heard."
Laurencia began to search the chest by the window, then moved on to checking one or two limp saddle bags on the floor next to it. Dropping them, she let her shoulders slump. "All her things are gone. I should have realized she was planning something! She probably never meant to take me to Leicester at all, she probably meant to bring me here all along. I've seen her manipulate other people, but I never thought it could happen to me. I thought she loved me."
"Why would she do that?" Allan asked, confused and appalled at Lady Prospera's behaviour. She'd seemed so nice when he'd met her.
"I—I don't know," Laurencia said. "She didn't need to get rid of me, I'm not in her way, and I never would have hurt her. I never spoke to anybody about her lover, not even when the Earl was still alive."
"Her lover?" Allan asked.
"There's a man I've seen with her several times – the younger son of a nobleman," Laurencia said. "He's older than I am, maybe as old as Sir Guy, but he's younger than Mother. He's so vain. Whenever he visits us, he goes out to buy something at the market, and makes a point of showing it off to me or anybody else he runs across."
"Is he rich?" Allan asked.
"They all say he's got no money," Laurencia said, "but he spends like he does."
"So where's he get the coin to spend at market?"
"I don't know. Do you think he borrows it from somebody?"
Allan tried to phrase it delicately. "Do you think your mother might be giving him a little something?"
Laurencia stared at him. "The only money she could legally put her hands on is –" Her face changed to one of shock. "My dowry!"
She made an inarticulate sound of rage, and Allan stared at her. "Everybody says you don't have any dowry."
"Mother was stretching the truth a little when she told the Sheriff that my dowry was very small," Laurencia said. "But – oh! It all fits! That's the only reason she could have! Bringing me here, pretending to be dead so I'd have to stay with my father – it all comes down to my dowry!"
She clenched her hands to fists. "Maybe my mother wasn't stretching the truth. Maybe my dowry is very small by now. In fact, maybe it's already gone, maybe she's been buying him – his love – with that money that was meant for me!"
Laurencia glanced at Allan with such rage and pain in her face that he winced in sympathy.
"How can she do that?" she demanded. "How could she steal like that, from her own daughter!"
Allan reflected that Laurencia must have grown up quite sheltered from the real world. He'd met plenty of people who would, and did, exactly that, including the Sheriff. Laurencia went on. "And how could he take money for … that?"
"You'd be surprised at what people'll do for money," Allan heard himself say. Fortunately, Laurencia didn't seem to be listening. "Does he love her, or only pretend he does? What happens when the money runs out? And if she's giving it all to him, bit by bit, then why bring me here and leave me? Why not just kill me and take it all?"
"Hey, just because someone can lie and steal doesn't make them a murderer," Allan said. "Maybe she couldn't look you in the eye anymore, knowing what she was doing."
Laurencia looked at him for a long moment, then turned away to face the window, raising one fist and beating against the stone wall. "And Robin Hood helped her! I hate him for that, and for lying to me!"
Allan shifted uncomfortably, wondering if it really was Robin that she hated, or her mother. Still battering the wall, Laurencia went on. " And to think that I begged him to take me to her. I loved her, I was worried sick about her! But she—"
All the fire went out of her just then, and she stopped speaking, letting her hands drop. After a very long moment, Allan asked, "What?"
Laurencia's voice sounded very close to crying. "She didn't think twice about leaving me behind."
Part 9