Page 16 of Robin and Marian
Smirking, Robin waved Tuck over. “Let’s go, Uncle Franco.” It was a dangerous game, though Robin could use a friend here, especially when his family was so set against him. The coming week would be hard for all of them.
Guy collected her luggage from her. This time she didn’t put up a fuss. “Marian,” Tuck spied them and called after her, “don’t do anything that I would do.”
That was backwards, but she knew he meant it. “Yes… um, brother.”
“Father,” he reminded her.
She rolled her eyes at him and followed Guy out while she seethed. Robin was going to get himself into trouble, and Guy could’ve made his family quarrels less public. And of course, she couldn’t shake Robin’s accusations about Guy taking advantage of the town’s misfortunes. His cousin led her through the elaborate halls, his back taut, the muscles on the back of his arms defined under his expensive sweater as he easily hauled her luggage.
Looking around the estate, she saw that he’d left nothing untouched in the remodel. He’d stacked creepy statues through the halls, and she kept jumping, thinking that twisted stalkers were staring back at her. Guy seemed to sense her unease and glanced back at her. “I’m sorry about what happened back there, Marian. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It’s just Robin thinks he can come back and everything’s going to be the same? Life’s been hard on us after what he did.”
She felt a stirring of sympathy. Things had been difficult for Elinor too, though Guy would feel the full brunt of his cousin’s actions in every aspect of his life. “Those people that Robin hurt,” she asked, “did they take their anger out on you?”
A muscle twitched on the side of Guy’s jaw as he attempted to hide his pained expression. “You’d be surprised. No one trusts me. They’re angry, but…” he shrugged. “It’s an unfortunate side of business. So if I couldn’t face it, I’d be a lousy businessman.”
But Guy had been more sensitive than his cousins growing up, and with his family’s background, this would’ve been harder on him. Sure, he’d been unnecessarily harsh on Robin, but she’d had no idea what he’d gone through. Guy had stayed behind in Nottingham. Of course he’d faced a lot of backlash.
“I was glad for the opportunity to prove myself,” he said. “My grandfather is announcing his replacement sometime in the coming week.”
And it wouldn’t be Robin.But Guy had a shot at it. She could very well be looking at the future head of King Enterprises. It was mind boggling.
Guy finally brought her to her room. He must’ve guessed that she’d like it, because he grinned broadly when he opened the door and Marian let out a little gasp. It had been untouched by Guy’s modern art décor. Her accommodations were Victorian-inspired, with a mahogany desk, a wardrobe and washstand. A tasteful Persian rug stretched out over the wooden floor and under a four poster canopy bed. “Guy! This is absolutely lovely.”
He ducked in pleasure and set her luggage down in the middle of the room. “I thought you’d like it. I don’t really have an eye for these things.” He chuckled, then with great daring, said, “Maybe I should’ve given you a say in these rooms.”
She flushed and pushed her hair behind her ear. If she could fall in love with a man because of the potential of his home, she was in danger of that, but no. If her parents had taught her anything, it was that money did not bring happiness. She’d have to love the man behind all this.
Marian noticed an old-fashioned telephone hooked to the wall. “This is so quaint.” Looking up at him, she remembered how Tuck had joked about scrambling the wireless signals. “Do we really not have cellphone service?”
“That’s the weird thing,” he said with some embarrassment. “It’s gotten spottier through the years. No internet either. Less customers in town, apparently.” That would make reporting more difficult. Marian’s mouth made an ‘O,’ and he hastened to reassure her. “Feel free to use the landlines. If you need anything else,” he indicated the hallway, “Scarlett and Alan are a few doors down. I’m across the way.” And Robin was as far from her as Guy could get him.
“More guests will be coming in this afternoon. Richard’s banquet will be tonight at seven. It’s a black tie affair, though I’m sure anything you wear will look fantastic.”
She dimpled. Guy knew how to make her feel very good about herself. He headed back for the door then tapped the handle before he swung back to her. “I’m glad you came, Marian. It’s made everything else… uh, bearable.”
He warmed her with a look and closed the door. As soon as he was gone, she heaved a sigh and leaned against the wooden frame. Her emotions were frayed, and she didn’t know what to think or feel. What an afternoon—from Robin opening her car door to Guy closing the door to her bedroom.
The cousins were so different. Robin was as cute as she remembered and just as naughty. Guy was respectable and adorable in his sincerity. But none of that mattered. No, Marian needed to steel her heart against them both. She didn’t know what these next few days would bring, but she had a feeling that they wouldn’t be boring.
Chapter 6
Marian had looked good.Too good.It had killed Robin to see her leave with Guy, but he shouldn’t have expected anything different, so why had he forgotten that when he’d seen her? It was like the years had melted away and there was nothing between them. That was, until his cousin came.
Standing in front of the long mirror in his sparse room, he struggled with his tie. The brace on his forearm made things difficult, though he was almost ready to take it off. His wrist was just weak now. The injury was a month old, and the doctor had said to take it easy after that.
Putting on a tie was only one stumbling block. Normally he’d go without it, but he wanted to look respectable. He’d opted for the black to go with his gray shirt and black Dormeuil suit. It had been tailored to fit four years ago, and the trousers bulged over his thigh muscles. The jacket had similar problems fitting over his shoulders and biceps. He rolled his eyes. These would have to do. It wasn’t like he could afford new clothes.
Tonight was Richard’s banquet and the grand opening for his retirement party, and Robin had no idea what to expect or who he’d see there. If any of the victims of “his” embezzlement were attending, he’d have to keep ten feet from them as per the conditions of his parole. Robin had only one goal for that night—not to disappoint his grandfather again. He had an unsettling feeling that nothing he did would make a difference.
Tuck got ready beside him, murmuring nonsense to himself as he wandered through the half-furnished room to try on one of Robin’s old jackets. He finally settled on one with a blue sheen. The wiry kid cleaned up well—probably more so since he thought he was pulling off the disguise of the century. He’d even taken the time to comb the sides of his hair. As a final detail, he added black-rimmed hipster glasses to look like Q from James Bond.
“You better be careful, Robin. Someone’s gonna steal your girl tonight.” Tuck formed his hands into guns and pointed at himself through the mirror.
Robin grimaced. “Are you talking aboutmyMarian?”
“Sure, that’s the only girl you’ve ever talked about.” Tuck stepped back and his foot went through a loose board. His forehead wrinkled and he shoved his glasses on top of his head while he tried to free his foot. “You sure your family is all that rich, Rob? What do you think they’re hiding?”
“Me,” Robin muttered. They’d taken him to the furthest corner of the house that was still being remodeled. The staff had seemed almost apologetic when they had unlocked it for him and changed the sheets as an afterthought. His room was missing a few vital furnishings, and the bathroom had no towels. Robin was sure that Guy had done it on purpose when Tuck was shown into his luxurious and fully-functional room next door.
