Chapter 15 #3
“Gracious! I had no idea things were so dire. A whole band of criminals so close by? How disturbing!”
“Quite so, but not for much longer. Even now, I am preparing to rid us of their scourge.”
“You will? But how?”
“I have found them! Oh yes, they have been under my very nose. A groom from my own stable intercepted a note. One of the laborers working for me has secretly been in contact with the hoodlums.”
“No! And he… this note led you to the band? You have captured them?”
“Not yet, but soon, my dear. This correspondence informed us of plans for a robbery. Oh yes! It is shocking, to be sure. This very day, the outlaws plan to invade our town, posing as simple beggars seeking aid from our generous vicar. They expect to win his trust, overwhelm him, then make off with the church coffer.”
“What? They plan to steal from the church?”
“It must pain you to hear of such things! But indeed, we will be ready for them. I will have the sheriff set men secretly all about the church, waiting to apprehend these scoundrels.”
“Such violence… and in the church! How could they… er, you are quite certain this is what the criminals have planned?”
“Wipe those worry lines from your pretty face. While I admit our information is sparse, it is enough. I am wise, you see, and I gave no clue that his note had been discovered. These outlaws have no idea we will be waiting for them with more than a dozen men.”
“You will catch them unawares!”
“Indeed I shall.” He laughed, but there was no mirth to the sound, only cruelty.
“The people say Robin Hood has returned, that he is their champion. Well, I will show them who their Robin Hood really is; a thief, an outlaw, guilty of abducting that poor woman and robbing the church. He ought to be hung for such crimes! I will find him, and everyone will see how rogues are treated in Nottingham.”
“Oh my…”
“I’m sorry, this talk has frightened you.”
“I am worried for your safety, sir. Perhaps you should not consider your action, it might be too dangerous.”
“Ah, but how sweet. You are worried for me! There is no need for it, of course, though I cannot say I am not touched by your sentiment. Truly, Miss Maidland, I had no idea your regard for me was quite so strong.”
“Indeed, I have quite a fright for your well-being, sir. I hope you do not find my feelings to be… too bold.”
“Ah, but you may have heard, Miss Maidland, that I quite like boldness in a woman.”
His smile sizzled with intent and an oily smile betrayed underlying depravity. Heavens, but she had played her role too well! Any moment now actual force might be required to fend the man off. His hands were on her shoulders and it was clear what he planned to do next.
Thank goodness for Uncle Prinley! He knocked at the tightly closed door and then swung it open. Mr. Gisborn grumbled under his breath and dropped his hands from her body, but he made no effort to move away from her. It would be perfectly clear to Uncle Prinley what had been going on.
If she had hoped for shock or chastisement from her uncle, she was disappointed. He merely cleared his throat and stammered as if he were the encroaching guest rather than the owner of the house.
“Er, pardon my interruption, Gisborn, Marianne…”
Mr. Gisborn snarled. “What is it, St. John?”
“I was told you had come a bit early. I was expecting you in an hour.”
“We are to be ready to take action in one hour,” Mr. Gisborn said, lechery dripping like syrup from his words. “I thought I would come ahead and perhaps take my own action a bit early.”
At last Uncle Prinley showed some sign that Gisborn’s inappropriate forwardness was not appreciated. He clenched his fists—just slightly—and spoke.
“Perhaps that can wait, Gisborn. Hadn’t we better take our leave from my niece and begin preparations for the important matter at hand?”
Gisborn’s voice was clipped with annoyance. “Very well, if Miss Maidland does not mind, then I suppose I will bid her good day. Until dinner.”
Marianne was quick to reply. Probably too quick, but she couldn’t help it.
“I do not mind! You gentlemen surely have things to discuss—I wish you much success.”
“Thank you, my dear,” Uncle Prinley said with unexpected grace. “It will not be too many hours before you will see Mr. Gisborn again.”
“I hope they go quickly,” Marianne said, adding a sigh for extra effect. “I will content myself with an afternoon of selecting just the right attire for tonight.”
Mr. Gisborn raked his eyes over her again and took her hand in a parting gesture. He spoke low so only she could hear.
“I know what I would like to see you wear...”
Even if she were not made nauseous by his vulgarity, there were simply no words for his cheek.
She kept her eyes on the floor, pulled her hand away, and dashed from the room with every bit of civility she could muster.
How could anyone think she might be at all interested in someone as abhorrent as Mr. Gisborn?
She was all too eager to leave his presence.
Uncle Prinley spoke in low, conspiratorial tones behind her and she knew she ought to listen, but she was already on her way toward her chamber.
It was as if the very air became sweeter the more distance she put between herself and Mr. Gisborn.
She wanted only to lock herself away, never to so much as think of him again.
She could not do that, though. Thoughts of another man disallowed full retreat.
Robert Locksley was in danger! Somehow Gisborn had learned of one of his schemes and was, even now, plotting to capture him.
Even if Robert himself was not to be in the party that would come to Nottingham today, it was fair to assume his men would be.
If Gisborn caught one of them, how long before he could torment them into revealing their hiding place in the forest?
How odd, though, that Robert would plan to take from the church.
Mr. Fraytuck was his friend. Surely Gisborn has misunderstood the meaning of that note he had intercepted; Robert must be going there for some other purpose.
Still, it would hardly matter why the band of so-called outlaws came into the church.
What mattered would be the fact that Gisborn would be waiting for them with armed guards. Robert would have no chance.
Unless, of course, Marianne could do something to save him. She knew just the thing! It would, however, require change of clothes…