Page 32 of Rogue of the Greenwood
“Highway men on the roads… no fear of ‘em at all.”
And then one phrase she recognized clearly: “Robin Hood has come back to the Greenwood for a certain!”
Mr. Muchleigh must have heard it, too. He suddenly appeared in the doorway of the mill and called sharply to the men. They finished what they’d been about and dashed back indoors, out of sight and completely out of earshot. If they had said any moreabout Robin Hood, Marianne certainly couldn’t hear it.
When Mr. Muchleigh appeared again, he deposited a wrapped parcel in the wagon then glanced up the walkway and noticed Marianne walking with Henry. The miller wiped his hands on his apron and moved toward them. Marianne felt his eyes on her.
“Ho there, Mr. Muchleigh!” Henry called down. “I’ve got a friend here says she wants to talk to you.”
Their footsteps sounded on the wooden boards, but Mr. Muchleigh didn’t offer any reply until they had come down the last step that would bring them into the yard near the wagon.
“It’s Miss Maidland, isn’t it?” Mr. Muchleigh said without emotion.
“You know each other?” Henry seemed surprised.
“No,” Mr. Muchleigh answered before Marianne could say yes.
“She says she’s going into the forest today to do some archery!” Henry said. “I told her that mightn’t be a good idea. After all, with the highwaymen and ruffians about—”
“I’m sure whatever Miss Maidland does with her time is none of our concern,” Mr. Muchleigh said sharply. “Now go help with the last of the supplies. I’ve got to get this load delivered soon.”
Henry seemed chagrined, dropping his gaze and giving Marianne a quick bow and a hasty, “Good day to you, Miss.”
Then he scurried past to go into the mill. Marianne was left alone in the yard with George Muchleigh and his heavily laden wagon.
“It’s a surprise to see you here, Miss Maidland,” Mr. Muchleigh said. “Have you come to place anorder? I’m sorry I don’t have much time now… got to get this delivered, you know.”
“No, I… I wondered if, by chance, there was anything I should take home with me?”
“You wish to carry a bag of flour all the way to your house?”
She glanced around, making sure no one else had appeared. If she truly wanted to know where George Muchleigh stood regarding Meg, now was the time to find out. She took a deep breath and went ahead, hoping he’d catch her meaning this time.
“You’ve taken a special interested in my family, I believe? I thought perhaps you might have something a bit lighter for me to carry home. Something, perhaps, like a message?”
His eyes narrowed. He was a sturdy man, built for labor and certainly not elegant, but there was intelligence in his face. His brow creased with a wary arc.
“You expect I have something to say to anyone in your house?”
“I had rather hoped that you did.” She held her breath and waited for his response.
“Perhaps I do. News travels quickly in Nottingham and I hear good wishes are in order for your cousin. You may carry those.”
“Good wishes? So you are happy that my cousin is to marry the sheriff?”
The flash of anger in his eyes assured Marianne that he, in fact, was not happy for that at all. However, he kept his peace as one of the laborers came out carrying one more bag for the wagon.
“This is the last of it, Much,” the man said, chucking the bag on top of the rest of the load.
“Careful, there!” Mr. Muchleigh warned. “If those bags tear, we’ll have flour spilling out everywhere.”
“Sorry. You want us to drive it out for you?” the man asked. “Where’s this load going today?”
“I’ll take it,” Mr. Muchleigh replied quickly. “I’ve got business there; you and Jamie can sweep up inside and shut down for the day.”
“Shut down? But isn’t it early?”
“I’m sure your wives will be glad to have you home. Just send the boy out here to me.”
