House Of Gisborne: The Secret Of Gisborne Part 2

I see, he said, seemingly accepting her excuse. Well, you should get to the Banquet Hall immediately. Ive word that the castle may be under attack. Its not safe out here, especially for a young woman.

Yes, my Lord, she said, bowing with feigned respect.

Gisborne turned on his heel and marched down the hall toward the guard tower. She exhaled with relief, and as soon as he disappeared beyond the door, she retrieved her bow and quiver, stas.h.i.+ng it underneath her skirt, and made her way to the Banquet Hall.

Marian! Mirabelle shouted as soon as she stepped through the door. Where have you been, girl?

Im so sorry, Miss, Marian explained. I was detained by Gisborne.

Lord Gisborne, Mirabelle corrected her quickly. Goodness knows what will happen to you if he hears you referring to him without his t.i.tle. So get on with it. What did he want with you?

I... er... he was asking me some questions about the banquet preparations. I told him he should ask you, Miss, but he didnt listen.

Hmm. Stubborn as his father was, she muttered. Fine. Get to work!

Yes, Miss! Marian said.

Mirabelle left Marian to take care of the Banquet Hall. As soon as she left, Marian pulled the bow and quiver from beneath her skirt and tossed the quiver over her shoulder. She carefully peeked out the ma.s.sive arched window, noting that the guests had not yet arrived. For this, she was grateful, for Robin would have no chance of escaping once the procession arrived. Every guard would be on high alert the minute they showed up.

She knew she had only minutes before Robin would be attempting his escape. Hurriedly, she dashed about, doing her best to finish the cleaning of the Banquet Hall, which Mirabelle had started. She wiped the ma.s.sive table, lit the candles in the chandelier, and swept the floor, including the long, red carpet that ran underneath the table. She pulled back the heavy red curtains, and her stomach twisted into knots. The front gate was down, and the procession was moving into the courtyard.

Oh, no! she gasped.

She pushed the ma.s.sive doors open and peeked carefully into an empty hallway. She edged her way around the corner toward the storeroom in the back of the castle. As she arrived, Robin and the others were chuckling as they carried out a heavy chest. Robins smile faded the moment he saw Marian.

Marian, what are you doing? he asked.

Theyre here. The procession is here. Youll never make it out, Marian gasped.

Theyre not supposed to be here for another two hours, at least! Robin said.

I know, but theyre here! she said. Youve got to go out the back way.

Theres a back way? Robin asked.

Oh, for... of course theres a back way, Marian said. I thought you said you planned this carefully!

We did, Robin insisted. How was I supposed to know there was a back way? You refused to help, remember?

Just come on, Marian said. Were wasting time!

Marian led them down a dark, unlit hallway. She stopped abruptly, hearing footsteps in the distance. She turned around, but footsteps were echoing down the hallway in the other direction. They were trapped.

Im sorry, Robin, she whispered.

For what? he asked.

Marian closed her eyes and drew back her fist, punching Robin solidly in the nose. He slumped to the ground, dropping his end of the chest, as she held her throbbing hand, cradling it carefully.

For that, she whispered.

Then she quickly drew back her bow and aimed it at Will.

Help! Marian shouted down the hallway. Guards!

The footsteps increased their pace, and light drew in on them from both sides. Two guards closed in on them from one direction, and the light of another lantern came in from the other.

Marian, are you all right? Gisborne asked her.

Im fine, she answered, still pointing an arrow at Wills head. I caught these men attempting to make off with Lord Blackstocks gold.

How did you... Gisborne attempted to say.

I knocked this one out and took his bow, Marian explained. It wasnt difficult. They didnt see me in the darkness.

Well done, Gisborne commented, thoroughly impressed. Guards, take these men to the dungeon.

Yes, my Lord, they said in unison.

Here, give me this, Gisborne said, gently taking the bow from Marians trembling hands. She reluctantly released it. What were you doing down here, anyway?

The guards were all busy with the procession, and when I saw them sneaking through the halls, I followed them. I knew their only hope of escape was through the back way with the procession coming through the front, so I hid and waited to ambush them in the dark. There was simply no time to summon a guard. They would have escaped.

Gisbornes eyes narrowed, and he studied her face. She squared her jaw and looked back at him confidently, though her insides were churning horribly.

Good thinking, though rather dangerous, dont you think? You could have been hurt, he said.

She released a held breath with relief.

Yes, my Lord. Youre right. I just... I didnt think.

Well, its all been taken care of, he said. Next time, find me or a guard and let us handle it, wont you?

Yes, my Lord, she said, bowing deeply. If youll excuse me, I must finish the preparations for the Banquet Hall.

Of course, he said, nodding.

She hurried away, relieved that Gisborne had believed her. He had a reputation for being cold and distrusting, and she couldnt help but feel like shed just averted a major disaster. Still, now she had to worry about the fate of Robin and his cohorts.

She finished preparations on the Banquet Hall just seconds before the guests were escorted through its doors. She flattened herself against the wall in an attempt to become invisible in front of the stately gentry as the hall filled with the din of cheerful guests as they took seats at the ma.s.sive table. As soon as everyone was seated, she slipped out the door.

She found Mirabelle in the kitchen.

Excuse me, Miss, Marian said.

Did you get that Hall done in time? Mirabelle growled.

Yes, Miss.

Good. Then you can go finish up the...

Um, sorry, Miss. Ive been asked to deliver food to the new prisoners.

New prisoners? What new prisoners?

They were caught trying to steal Lord Blackstocks gold, Miss.

Oh, my! Mirabelle gasped. When did this happen?

A few minutes ago. Im to take them some hard bread and water.

Too good for the scoundrels if you ask me, Mirabelle muttered. But do as you were told.

Yes, Miss.

Marian gathered the dishes used for the prisoners and packed a basket with hard brown bread and a wineskin full of water. Carefully making her way through the halls, she slipped down the dimly lit stairs into the dank dungeon.

What business have you? asked the guard at the door.

Food for the prisoners, she said, lifting the white cloth that covered the basket.

The guard tilted his head to examine the contents of the basket, and then he nodded. The keys jingled in the lock, and the heavy door creaked open. It clanged shut behind her as the entered, and then she hurried down the hallway.

Robin! she hissed. Where are you?

Here! his voice called.

She followed his voice down the long row of cells and stopped outside a door.

Ive brought you food, she whispered through the door.

Taking each item out one by one, she slowly pa.s.sed the dishes, water, and chunks of bread through the small grate at the top of the door. Then she did the same for the nearby cells.

Im sorry, she whispered. I couldnt think of anything else to do.

Its all right, Robin said, rubbing his jaw. Youve got a wicked punch, though.

She winced. Im really sorry. Ill get you out of here somehow.

Dont! he gasped. Dont risk it. Just send word. Let John know.

I will, but I got you in here, so Ill have to...

No! Robin said firmly. Youve already risked enough, Marian. Just leave us. Forget you know me.

I cant do that, Robin, she said quietly.

You must, he said sadly.

Tears welled in Marians eyes, stinging them viciously. She gritted her jaw and blinked them away, dabbing the lone escapee with the cloth from the basket.

I have to go, Robin, she whispered, her voice breaking. Ill come for you.

No! he gasped. Then he called after her, Marian. Marian!

His whispers were lost through the thick door as Marians footsteps echoed on the cold, stone floor. She rapped sharply on the gate, and the guard let her through. She nodded politely to him and headed back to the kitchen.

Oh, good, youre back, Mirabelle said as she replaced the basket in the pantry. You better get up there and finish those guest chambers. The reception is nearly finished!

Oh, no! Marian gasped, breaking into a run.

She had barely finished the last guest room when the noise of guests chattering merrily began to float down the hallway. A glance out the window let her know that the sun had already sunk behind the horizon. Dusk had come.

May I go, now, Miss? Marian asked Mirabelle after locating her cleaning up in the Banquet Hall.

Yes, yes, Mirabelle said quickly. Youd better hurry. Itll be dark soon.

It already is, Marian groaned.

Mirabelle cast a cursory glance over her shoulder and clucked her tongue.

I wish youd finished sooner, Mirabelle said. Why dont you just stay here tonight?

No, you know I cant leave Father alone, Marian said. I have to go make him dinner.

Well, good luck, Mirabelle said. Hurry home quickly.

Thank you, Miss.

With her shawl clutched tightly around her, as much out of anxiety as warmth, she flew down the road as fast as her legs would carry her.

No sooner had she left the castle grounds than the pounding of horses hooves thundered behind her. They grew louder and louder, sending her heart into fits. There was nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide. Nothing but vast, open emptiness for miles.

Marian? called a familiar voice.

She paused and turned around. Gisbornes white stallion slowed to a gallop, then a trot, and it finally cantered toward her and stopped, whinnying and pawing at the ground.

My Lord?

What are you doing out here so late? he asked.

I just finished my work, my Lord, she said. Im going home.

You shouldnt be out here alone this late, he said.

Yes, my Lord.

Wont you allow me to escort you home safely? he asked.