Page 43 of Robin and Marian
“Excellent,” Richard clapped. “Name the contest, boys!”
Guy gave Robin a sly look, his eyes drifting to his cast. “Archery, of course. Wasn’t that your favorite event, Robin? We’ll use the curve bow.”
Everyone laughed as if Robin was clearly out of the running, but in a millisecond Robin calculated what he knew about Guy’s abilities—which weren’t that good—and what he’d seen at the Para-Olympics six years ago. Robin had witnessed a one-armed man use a stand release at one of his competitions, and had been so fascinated that he’d bought a book on it. There were even mouth tabs. Of course, he’d have to learn how to use one. “Deal,” he said, hoping that Guy didn’t detect any hesitation on his part. And in case he couldn’t do it? He hurriedly amended the rules of the game, “Also, anyone can compete.”
Guy smirked. “Only if they put money down for the prize.”
“Seems reasonable,” Robin said, pretending confidence. Guy was starting to look unsure, and Robin fed on that. It was all part of psyching out his cousin and played no part in how he actually felt. At this point Robin wondered if he should have even opened his mouth.
“Tomorrow morning it is,” Guy said.
That was a little harder to agree to. Robin still needed to figure out how to work around his wrist. “Tomorrow afternoon,” he said.
“Done!” Richard shouted, and everyone erupted into cheers. Robin let it drown out his worries. His grandfather held up his hands for attention. “I have live bands set up for tomorrow evening—The Potter and the MonkandYeomen Ballads. The press and the town of Nottingham are invited to attend our celebrations after the games!” And with that, they wrapped up the press conference to break for a late lunch.
As the press filtered away and the horses were led back to the stables, Marian turned stunned eyes on Robin. “You gave away your Porsche?”
“I thought you hated that thing?”
“Well, I was getting used to it.” She broke into a smile. “Promise me you’ll take me for a joy ride before you give it away.”
“Deal.” He was feeling a little like a broken record and chalked it up to the shock of giving away all of his worldly possessions. Easy come, easy go?
“You think you’ll win this?” she asked.
“Not sure.” And then he laughed nervously.
She seemed to sense his unease and took his hand. “I think you’re very brave.” He squeezed her hand in return and she leaned against him. “…maybe a little reckless,” she allowed with a laugh.
“No, that was plain stupid, man.” That was Little John.
Robin jumped when he saw how close he stood to him. “You trying to get me into trouble?”
Little John stepped back a few paces. “You’ve got no head for business. That’s all. I’m beginning to wonder if that was your problem all along?”
“Okay, you’re welcome?” At least John wasn’t calling him a dirty cheat. “Just don’t sell Sherwood to Guy.”
“Might not have a choice,” John said with a resigned look. “If he wins the case against me, then I’ll have to give it up anyway to pay my debts. You probably should’ve kept it out of my hands, but….” He bit his lip and turned to avoid Robin’s eyes like he was keeping his emotions in check, “I appreciate what you’ve done.”
Before Robin could reply, Tuck wandered through. He shook his head, oblivious to the charged moment. “An archery competition? I thought you said you didn’t do larping here. You guys are all big nerds. You know that?”
“Yeah,” Little John said. “Yeah, we knew that.”
Scarlett caught the tail-end of the conversation and shook her head at them as she edged closer to the group. “No, no.” She caught John’s hand and pumped it in hers. “We’re going to get this Mayfair off the ground and you’re going to save this town, John. I know you can do it.”
Robin wished he had her confidence, even as John wilted with pleasure at her compliments. He met his sister’s eyes, and she reddened as if embarrassed at her burst of enthusiasm, especially when Alan came the other way. Instead of lingering with his wife, he hurried past them without a word.
Scarlett ducked her head, a dark cloud marring her earlier cheer, and rushed to catch up to him.
Chapter 12
Robin was innocent. Everything that he’d suffered these past four years played in Marian’s head as she made her way up the stairs to her room. She was still in shock. Why hadn’t she suspected what he’d done for his sister? He’d been this way since they were children—brave, protective… and into all sorts of mischief. She didn’t know what he was up to now, but he’d have given the shirt off his back at that press conference if it had meant helping this town. Though this time, she believed it had more to do with getting back at Guy than anything else.
“Marian? Is that you?” She took a few steps and saw the man in question on the landing above her. His hand was on the door outside of his room.
She didn’t want to see Guy right now, not after hearing what he’d done to the people in Nottingham. It was despicable. And still, his dark eyes watched her with such a look of pain. It almost undid her. “I lost you today,” he said. That was true, but he wasn’t referring to that. “I didn’t notice you fell so far behind us.”
“I get it,” she said. “Winning was more important.”
