Page 15 of Robin and Marian
For the first time since that morning four years ago, Marian felt like she was missing something essential. A sob escaped Scarlett’s throat. “I’m sorry.” She choked over her words and fled, taking a grateful Midge with her. The altercation left Robin subdued and silent.
Tuck stood up with a groan, stretching. “It’s like they say, friend—no good deed goes unpunished.” He clapped Robin on the back.
What was that supposed to mean?
Marian watched Robin closely, but he straightened, letting out a shaky breath. It gave away nothing. Guy glared irritably at Tuck. “I don’t believe I’ve been introduced?”
“Oh yes, oh yes.” Tuck swaggered over to Guy and shook his hand like the respectable youth pastor that he was. “I’m sorry, we haven’t met yet. I just got a job here in Nottingham.” His confidence would’ve tricked Marian if she didn’t know the truth.
“A job?” Guy asked incredulously. “Here? Those are hard to come by.”
“Aren’t they?” Tuck laughed, not offering any more information.
Marian felt guilty. She wouldn’t lie to cover up for Tuck, but she wasn’t about to come clean—not after how hard it had been to break Robin out of prison. Breaking parole would put him back in, and his cousin was in no mood for mercy. She didn’t blame him.
Guy turned from Tuck, no longer looking interested in discovering his identity, only impatient to get back to Marian. “We have a fantastic retirement party planned for Richard. Nothing in the world can compare to the May Day festivities in Nottingham. I would know. Although, after these hard times, I’m not sure how long they’ll hold these celebrations, so we’d better take advantage of it while we can.”
“So, larping,” Tuck said. “Excellent.”
“What?” Guy asked distractedly.
Robin made an impatient noise. He picked up an odd straw puppet from the side table. It looked like a voodoo doll. “It seems that you’ve benefited from Nottingham’s misfortunes… buying up everyone’s land.”
Guy gave him a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. It never did when Robin was around. “Well, you’ve got yourself to blame for that.” Robin had nothing to say for himself, though it was a cruel reminder. “Speaking of…” Guy snatched the strange doll from his cousin’s hands and put it back on the table. “What are the conditions of your parole, Robin? Did you need special permission to relocate to my home?”
Robin nodded. Once.
“And if you break parole? What then? House arrest? Will I never be rid of you?” As Guy spoke, the hardness of Robin’s jaw grew more pronounced. “Or can I pack you home to grandpappy? Gossip has it that he’s been really, really busy cleaning up your messes. But you know—we’re all real sorry for not visiting you and patting your hand.”
Marian shifted uncomfortably. Was Guy trying to bait Robin, maybe bring out the MMA fighter in him so he’d have an excuse to ship him off? Robin’s brows over his hazel eyes slanted down like an angry bird’s, but then he cleared his throat and smiled. “No apology necessary—I didn’t miss your visits at all. Your time was well spent…” his eyes veered to the odd puppet, “buying voodoo dolls for your fun little bachelor pad. I bet the girls are all over it. What do you say, Marian? You dig it, right?”
Why did Robin have to bring her into this? She attempted a weak smile. “You’ve done a fine job with the place, Guy.”
“I’m glad someone appreciates what I’ve done here.”
“The people in town don’t?” Robin asked shrewdly.
This made Guy uncomfortable, and his eyes kept darting to Marian for her reaction. “They don’t understand that I’m trying to help them.”
“Are you?” Robin was relentless.
“I am,” Guy growled out.
Robin didn’t look convinced, but he accepted the answer with a nod.
Tuck clapped. “Good show! I’m thrilled at your play of grace and brotherly love, my brothers!” He raised his finger and wagged it at Robin. “I want you at church on Sunday. No excuses.” He waved towards Guy to include him in the invitation. “You too! Come see me when you want to confess your sins.”
“My sins?”
“He’s a… youth pastor.” Robin seemed resigned to it now.
Marian tried to distract them and pawed at her luggage. “I could do with a rest.”
“Yes.” Guy transformed into the perfect host in an instant. “I’ll show you to your room. Robin, yours is, uh…” he pointed at the hallway that led to the other side of the estate, “in the opposite wing from my room. The staff will show you where to go.” Guy clearly couldn’t deal with Robin right now. He rotated on his heel, and Tuck tagged along, so that Guy stopped short to give him a disconcerted look. “Oh, you too?”
Tuck’s forehead wrinkled. “Excuse me?”
“Right, right, yes, of course, you’re staying here.” Clearly confused, but not caring enough to investigate the veracity of all of his guests, Guy waved him away. “Robin, take him with you. The staff will take care of him…”
