Page 89 of Robin and Marian
“No…” Robin hesitated, feeling his heart quicken when he realized he’d have to say what happened. It still didn’t feel real. “I think he’s mixed up in all this.”
His friend stepped back. “What do you mean?”
“You can’t trust him.”
Little John’s lips firmed and he nodded. Setting his shoulders, he went for the window and then changed his mind. “I’m just going to…”
“Through the back, down the hall, take a right.” Robin quickly supplied the directions, since Tuck wasn’t with him this time to show him the way. An engine grumbled loudly past the garden.
Suddenly, Little John sprang forward with a cry. “That thief has my truck!” He disappeared into the hall, running through the door. It was already open and Robin tried to remember when that had happened before Marian slid her arms under his and around his back to kiss him again. “I’m finding a costume for Guy,” she said and turned to go.
“No.” He grabbed hold of her arm and her dress fluttered around her legs at the movement. “I don’t want you to go with him tonight.” It came out a plea. “I don’t want you hurt.”
“I won’t do anything stupid.”
She wasn’t the one he was worried about. A sneeze alerted them that they were not alone. Both of them jumped and searched for the source. Midge came out from behind the desk with bright red cheeks and swinging a wooden sword. He’d cleaned up from the forest, looking exactly like the son of the richest man in New Hampshire with pressed black trousers and a cream-colored sweater with leather patches on the shoulders. His blue eyes pierced them.
“Midge!” Robin and Marian both shouted out.
“You’ve got to stop sneaking around,” Robin said.
The boy wasn’t in the mood to be lectured. “Marian,” he said grimly. “You can’t go with Guy. He’s bad.”
“Oh, that’s very sweet…” she began. “We’re trying to help out Robin.”
The boy brightened. “I’ll get that keycard.”
How did he know about that? Robin realized that Midge must have spied on her earlier. Marian reddened. “No,” she said. “It isn’t safe for you.”
The boy wasn’t listening anymore and he sped off so that she was talking to the air. “Don’t worry,” Robin told her. He ran his fingers through her curly hair. “It’ll keep him busy. Maybe that means he won’t catch us kissing anymore.”
She pressed his hand in return and left him, though she insisted on going through the window to avoid Guy. Robin didn’t like it. He felt helpless stuck here in this veritable fortress. Now that everyone was gone, he had nothing to do but throw that ball against the wall and let his worries consume him.
Chapter 24
Marian waited by the head of the trail that led down to the docks of Raspberry Lake near Guy’s estate. No way would she meet Guy at the deserted beach where the floats were set up for the parade. It was too isolated in those shadows.
She stayed near the booths and games and watched the crowds that had shown up for the reopened Mayfair. The pathway from Sherwood Forest to the docking point at the lake glittered with lights and torches like a magical fairy land. The place had a carnival-like atmosphere with food trucks, concerts, and other entertainments.
A big Ferris wheel rotated near the water’s edge, its lights bright against the lake. Richard had ordered the rides, much to Guy’s chagrin, though his grandson would never have refused his grandfather access to his shore. Now that he’d taken up the role of the Green Man, he was further proving his loyalty to Richard’s pet project.
And Guy wasn’t there. It was possibly because Mayfair had made a comeback, despite the negative publicity—and because of it. Tuck’s video had gone viral without him having to resort to artificial and sinister means. Guy’s spacious lawn was covered in cars and they lined the roads all the way from Sherwood Forest to Main Street. Customers roamed through the booths in droves, wearing Mayday animal masks or painted faces. It made the crowds from yesterday look like child’s play.
She sighed. Perhaps they’d gone too far. If they hadn’t been so successful, Guy might’ve showed up. His grandfather wasn’t savvy enough to keep up on what was trending online, but he’d know soon enough what had really transpired between his grandsons. Guy wasn’t the hero of the piece and Robin was no longer the villain. If Guy figured that out and retreated to his fortress to lick his wounds, then Robin would have no chance to search the premises for that keycard. He and Scarlett would still be under Guy’s thumb.
Marian spied Richard through the milling crowd. It wasn’t his grandson, but he might know where Guy had gone. He watched the proceedings around him with wide eyes. His expensive suit was finely pressed, but the red neckerchief at his collar was loose and he looked dazed. He was usually so calm and collected that it threw her off-guard.
“Richard!” She pushed forward. She looked more presentable now that she had changed from her muddy white dress into one provided by the dancers. This gown was made of lighter material and reminded her of a night shift from medieval times. They’d sprayed her with white glitter, so that she looked ghostly pale like a wraith in the night, and she wore a fresh wreath of flowers along with the May Queen crown. Catching the old man’s hands, she smiled up at him. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“Marian.” He let go of one of her hands to pat her head. “What a turnout. Is this Robin’s doing?”
She was only supposed to give one person credit for it, but she couldn’t bear to take this away from Robin either. “Yes,” she said, “and Scarlett too.”
“Wow.” He breathed out and she bit her cheek to keep from laughing—she was so happy for them. It was everything they’d hoped for. “Where are my grandchildren?”
“I was hoping that you knew,” Marian said.
“I’m to name my successor before the floats go into the water. I dearly wish for her to be here to hear it.”
