Page 72 of Robin and Marian
“Oh?” He seemed to appreciate the cat-and-mouse game and flashed a dangerous smile. “So that’s how you want to play it?”
“Prove that it’s yours—bring the sheriff in here and make a formal complaint,” she said. He hesitated and she spun away from him. “That’s all that I need to know!”
“Is this about your aunt’s debts? It’s far more than anything you can afford… with or without that necklace I gave you.” He drew towards her again, and his hand crept lightly under her upturned chin. “I’ll forgive your lapse of judgement and hold off on what she owes in return for yourfriendship. We both win.”
What wasthatsupposed to mean? Robin glowered at his cousin and began to straighten dangerously like he’d give himself away. Guy stepped back from her and she grabbed his arm before he could collide into Robin. Both men jerked in surprise. Guy’s expression turned pleased.
“Why do you want myfriendship?” she asked tensely.
“I like to keep my friends close to me… and maybe—if you’re lucky—I won’t call in your debts.”
So he wanted to own her? He’d go easy on her aunt and she’d follow up with a favor—likely something against Robin. She’d die before she did that.
“Marian?” Elinor called from the dining room. “Dinner is getting cold.”
“Your sweet aunt is calling you,” Guy said.
“What do you really want?” she asked. His eyes focused on her and he licked his lips slyly.
“Guy!” the sheriff’s entreaties joined Elinor’s from the dining room. “You want to talk business, right? We need to discuss the details of those payments that we got tonight.”
So Guy didn’t know what they’d done yet? He was in for a surprise. Her eyes sharpened on him. “The sheriff is calling you.”
He inclined his head at her, and whispered, “Remember what I said.”
Oh! She would, but he would know how much she meant to defy it after the sheriff talked to him. Guy stepped back and pressed her fingers softly, his gentility suddenly reappearing now that he thought he had her beat. He left her in the kitchen with his cousin. As soon as the door closed, she swiveled to Robin and shook her head. “You’re going to get caught.” But she couldn’t stop herself from planting an exasperated kiss on his puckered brow. “I’ve got this. Leave!”
“Well done.”
That coaxed a smile from her. “See? I can take care of myself.” At least she could if she wasn’t worrying about Robin. She turned the door handle to the living room to help him on his way and it stuck. It was locked. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Rushing back to the closet, she threw that open instead. “Get in!”
For a moment she thought he’d disobey, but he walked slowly over and took her hands. “Only in return for yourfriendship.”
She laughed, feeling her stress behind it. If that wasn’t the most insensitive thing to say? “Too soon,” she said and nudged him inside. “You’ve got to stop taking chances. You’re driving mecrazy!” He took that as an invitation—which it kinda was—and pulled her smoothly into the closet. The door clicked behind them. Part of her was infuriated. This was exactly what she was talking about! Guy and the sheriff were outside this room and here he was running his hands down her arms. “I’ll take care of Guy,” he said, “not you—you’remyMaid Marian.” And then he was kissing her like she’d wanted him to kiss her all night.
“Marian!” Elinor wrenched open the door and stomped her foot when she saw them.
She had to catch her breath before she could respond. “The door to the living room was locked!” It was her best excuse before unwrapping herself from a smirking Robin and pushing him deeper into the closet for good measure. His head rammed into the flour.
Elinor shut the door on him and leaned against it. “What have you been doing all night? William has been telling Guy the strangest story.” By the tone of her voice, her aunt knew exactly what they’d been doing. “The debts he tried to call in tonight have been repaid by jewels.”
Marian could hear Guy’s voice raised in argument with the sheriff:
“They can’t do that!”
“They can,” the sheriff retorted. “Those properties belong to the owners and you will have to negotiate fair prices if you want to work out a deal. It’s no longer my responsibility.”
Feeling herself drawn to the argument, Marian pulled into the dining room where the sheriff calmly explained the legalities. “You have no choice but to accept their payments. Everything is aboveboard. The paperwork is cleared and I’ve notarized them.”
Guy’s irritated glare went to her. Now he knew what she’d done with the jewels. “This wasRobin, wasn’t it?” She didn’t answer, but he wasn’t stupid. “He’s no longer welcome in my home. Tell himthatif you happen to see him.”
“If he’s out, then so am I!” The angry words tumbled from her mouth before she could think about the consequences of losing hisfriendship.
That caused Guy to turn on her with a snarl. “Elinor,” he addressed her aunt, though he didn’t quite look at her. No, his eyes were on Marian. “I’m calling in your debt. You know what to do, Sheriff.” He left without a backwards glance.
Her aunt was stunned. Her hand went to the side of the table to support herself. Marian had gone too far—she shouldn’t have pushed Guy like this. What had she been thinking?
The sheriff put his arms around her aunt. “Elinor?”
