Page 25 of Rogue of the Greenwood
“Oh, Meg, I just can’t understand all of this. How could Uncle Prinley be involved in something like this?”
“It is something that makes a lot of money for him, and makes the people of Nottingham poor,” Meg replied. “That’s all I know; that’s all George would tell me.”
“You discussed this with George? Was that wise?”
“I want to marry him! Why should I not discuss everything with him?”
“But if you believe that he might be using that information to plot against your father—”
“Oh gracious! Do you think that is why he has been so interested in me?” Meg froze in her step, her eyes going wide. “All this time… I thought he loved me!”
Marianne could have kicked herself for adding to her cousin’s misery. “No, no… that is not what I’m saying—surely he has never plotted against your father.”
“But it makes perfect sense!” Meg went on, covering her face in her hands and moaning loudly. “I should have known. What could such a man see in me? It must all be a part of the scheme.”
“Surely not! There has to be some other explanation.”
Now Meg’s head popped up with a wild look in her eyes. “I must warn Father!”
“No! Hush now, you cannot talk like this.”
“But Papa is in danger!”
“You cannot know that,” Marianne said, glancing around to see that they were beginning to be noticed by passers-by. She shushed Meg and ushered her into the shadowed threshold of a shop. “Please, calm yourself, dearest. Let’s think about this. Has GeorgeMuchleigh given you any reason—other than what you think we may have just overheard—that he has reason to plot against your father?”
“I should have seen it! Why, George has been forced to pay outrageous taxes that my father and Mr. Reeve have invented. They said he must pay, or else his father’s mill will be shuttered—or worse, perhaps burned to the ground. He says it’s like that for everyone in Nottingham. My father sets the local taxes, then sends the sheriff’s men around to collect it. If people can’t pay, Mr. Reeve shows up to throw them in gaol and they must pay the tax plus fines on top of it.”
“But that sounds like extortion! Uncle Prinley would never do such a thing.”
“He’s not what he seems, I keep telling you. Papa has developed a cruel side. It’s quite terrifying, really…”
The sorrow and fear evident on Meg’s face was proof enough that she believed all that she said. Marianne was finding it difficult to doubt. Indeed, she had noticed that the people of Nottingham crossed to the other side of the road and looked away when Uncle Prinley passed, but she had always assumed this was out of awe or respect. Apparently her assumption was wrong.
So what did this mean? Was Meg’s true love using her simply to plot against her father? That would be tragic indeed! And if that was true… well, Robert Locksley was involved, as well. It explained everything about why he was hiding in Sherwood, why he begged for her secrecy.
She could no longer doubt what was painfully clear; there really was a plot against Uncle Prinley!Even worse, it seemed he had brought it on himself. Now Marianne had to decide what to do about it. Should she let it continue, or allow Meg to speak out?
“Here’s what I suggest,” she said after a moment, putting her arm over Meg’s quaking shoulders and comforting her as best she could. “We should say nothing of this, not to your father or anyone.”
“Notwarn Papa?”
“It seems to me that whatever scheme might be brewing, it is not to the point of murder… not yet, at least. Let us keep watch. Did you recognize the men with Mr. Muchleigh?”
“No, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen then before.”
“Then we can hardly tell your father who they are, can we? All he can do at this point is toss George Muchleigh in gaol while those other men continue with their plans. That doesn’t help your father, and it certainly doesn’t help your George.”
“I suppose you are right about that…”
“We need to stay silent until we know more, until we are certain about what’s going on and who is involved. Doesn’t that make sense?”
“Yes… I think so…”
“Good,” Marianne said, digging in her reticule for her handkerchief. “Now here, dry your eyes and let us act as if nothing in the world could be wrong. After all, you have just become engaged to the Sheriff of Nottingham!”
“You mean I must go through with it?”
“You mustpretendto go through with it. If your father really is as devious as you say, then you must play the part that he expects of you.”
