Page 58 of Robin and Marian
“I like it,” Tuck said. “It’s real larpy.”
“No, no, no!” she said.
“Marian!” Robin just wanted her to be safe. “We’re just going to get the rest of these, but I need you to stay out of Guy’s way.”
“Oh, really? And how do you expect to get him out of the house while you do that?” He’d think of a way. She had a desperate look that was turning her lips into a stubborn line. “I’ll go riding with Guy. That’s what I’ll do!”
It was his turn to be appalled. “You can’t!” Tuck was already congratulating her on her grand idea, and Robin shook his head. “No, you can’t be alone with him.”
She gave him a challenging look. “And you can’t get caught stealing.”
Tuck sighed and threw his arm around Robin to draw him aside. “Just think, we have a chance to do some real good! And you’re going to let a little jealousy get in your way? She can handle Guy.”
The tables had been officially turned. Robin briefly toyed with the idea of forbidding her to do it, and knew that wouldn’t go over well. Marian’s challenging eyes were on him. Maybe she’d hoped this would stop him. Well played.
“Fine, I won’t go in,” he said, feeling strangely like Midge. “You happy?”
“Yes,” she said.
Tuck leaned back in disappointment. “I could still…”
Robin cut him off. “No.”
The next morning, Marian found her way into the garden, the smell of honeysuckles scenting the air as she walked past the pool in a black, lightweight hoody with gray jean shorts. She slung her colorful bag over her shoulder like she was out for a day on the beach instead of skulking around here to avoid Guy.
She couldn’t for long. Tonight, Richard was holding his banquet. Marian was scared what Robin would do when he met up with his cousin. He’d still insisted on walking her to her room last night, which she was secretly grateful for, but he hadn’t been happy when he’d left. Tuck had simply rolled his eyes and led Robin away while sucking on a toothpick. She didn’t trust them together at all.
She walked to the Victorian gazebo with its powder blue roof. Aside from the garden, it was one of the last things standing since Guy had taken over the estate. He’d talked about all the good times he’d had there as a child, but if so, why had he been almost vicious in his gutting of the place?
“Marian?” Midge ran to her, holding a handful of green boughs. They kept dropping from his hands, and he had to stop and pick them up, which made more fall.
She hurried to help him. “What is this?”
“It’s for the Mayday celebrations. My dad wants to make wreaths. He said he’d pay me a dollar for each bough.”
That wasn’t very much for a rich kid, but Midge acted like he hadn’t a thing in the world by how excited he was. It was that way with most of the people in this family—there was no entitlement, no snobbery, just a pleasant way about them.
“Psst.”
Midge and Marian froze, then turned, seeing Guy was lounging at the pool in red, retro-style board shorts. It was beautiful weather for it, an enjoyable 70 degrees. He’d tied his long hair into his usual topknot. She tried not to gawk, but it was hard not to notice that his chest was already tan from more days like these relaxing out by the pool, and if those defined abs meant anything, he’d spent even more time at the gym. It didn’t leave much room for work.
He set down a book beneath his beach chair and smiled over at Marian. “Keep it down over there,” he teased in his lilting British accent. “I’m trying to soak in these rays.”
She managed a tight smile. “No worries. I was just helping Midge take these back to the house.” To show she was serious, she stole half the bundle from Midge’s grip, and they got caught in the straps of her bag. The boy stepped back in surprise.
Guy stood up quickly, the beach chair screeching across the cement. “Let me call someone to get those.”
This was backfiring on her. “I like the exercise,” she said.
With a few snaps of his fingers, Guy called over a servant, who dutifully took the boughs from her. She’d had no idea that they’d been surrounded by so many silent observers. Servants had never hidden in the shadows when she’d played here as a child. Midge glowered silently. No doubt he’d been looking forward to earning the money for his boughs. Before he could go after the man carrying his hard-earned bounty, Marian laid a steadying hand on his shoulder to keep him there with her. “Would you like me to help you find more?” she asked the child. “We’ll add them to the ones you’ve already brought back.”
This made Midge brighten considerably.
“No, really? What’s the fun in that?” Guy asked with a snicker. “You should join me at the pool. I’m sure you brought a bathing suit? Unless you’re afraid to be seen outside with afriend?”
Marian suddenly felt herself become a staunch supporter of Richard’s banquet. “Well,thisis Richard’s wish. I’m sure he wants this place dripping with flowers and greenery for his party tonight.”
“The servants can do that.”
