Page 33 of Rogue of the Greenwood
“Thanks! We’ll shut everything up tight when we’re done.”
The laborer didn’t wait for Mr. Muchleigh to change his mind. He went back into the mill, dusting himself off and calling to his partner, conveying the good news that they’d be done early for the day.
Marianne wouldn’t be put off this easily, though. “Mr. Muchleigh, is that truly all you have to say to my cousin?”
“What more would you have me say, Miss Maidland? I’m a simple man; what have I to offer her but a sincere wish for future happiness?”
“So you do care for her! Please, Mr. Muchleigh, I truly need to know what your feelings are for Meg.”
“Neither one of us has the time for me to truly convey all my feelings for her. Please, I’m in a great hurry just now. If you must know my feelings, just know they are true. My heart will forever belong to your sweet cousin, no matter what life may bring for her. Now please, go to your home. As the boy warned you, the forest is no place for you. Not today.”
Not today?What did he mean by that? She tried to ask, to engage him in more dialog, but it was clear he was done with her. The boy came trotting back out tothe wagon and any opportunity for meaningful conversation was over.
“Come Henry, up on the bench,” Mr. Muchleigh ordered. “Let’s make this delivery before the rain starts up again.”
Henry did as commanded and gave Marianne a worried smile. “It was nice to meet you, Miss Marianne.”
“It was nice to meet you, Henry. I hope you don’t run into any highwaymen or ruffians.”
“You too, miss!”
“Good day, Miss Maidland,” Mr. Muchleigh said.
He didn’t even look at her, just slapped the horses and urged them into motion. They shook their enormous, shaggy heads and leaned into the harness. The wagon lurched forward and giant hooves dug into the damp ground. Marianne stepped aside to let the wagon pass.
The pile of blankets and rags was in the center of the wagon, nearly obscured by the boxes and parcels and bags that had been loaded around it. The wheels churned over muddy ground and Marianne wrinkled her nose as her skirts suffered some spatter. Perhaps Mr. Muchleigh had behaved rudely out of frustration. If he did indeed love Meg, it would be no wonder that he was in a surly mood. He had just heard that she was bound to marry another. That would likely make any man act like a brute.
Still, he could have been a bit more friendly. Perhaps he was not the best choice for Meg, after all. Marianne would have to mention this to her. When her cousin was speaking to her again, of course.
Marianne sighed as the wagon rumbled out of the yard, along the narrow lane that followed the river’spath and then gradually wound up the bank to meet the main road. Mr. Muchleigh didn’t seem to care in the least that he had left Marianne standing alone in the mud. Henry turned to wave at her, though. What a dear boy. She hoped things found a way to improve for the lad.
Well, what was she going to do now? Her intent had been to go into the forest, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to do that. A bank of dark clouds could be seen gathering in the distance. It mirrored her feelings.
She could not take her mind off Mr. Muchleigh’s gruff tone even as he professed love for her cousin. Did it mean he was resigned to give up on Meg forever, or did it mean he would fight against those who might stand between them? Marianne’s mind raced with questions and possibilities.
Grumbling under her breath, she readjusted her bow and turned back to the wooden walkway. Instead of going on to the little footbridge that would carry her over the river and into Sherwood, she headed back toward the road. Her walk in the wood should be put off today. Things with Meg must be worked out before she could ever have a moment of peace.
The wagon was still trundling along, moving steadily away from her. She watched it go. Instead of turning onto the road and heading toward Nottingham proper, it turned the other way, leaving town. Where could Mr. Muchleigh be going? She assumed he’d be making his delivery somewhere in town. The direction he went, though, led off along the river, heading into the countryside.
Unless, of course, he turned off the main road and turned onto another. Not far up—just around a bendand out of view from here—there was a bridge. If he turned there, he could cross over the river and go into the forest. He could be taking that load into Sherwood, as a matter of fact. That was where he had carefully instructed her not to go.
Where she knew someone else happened to be.
Should she follow the wagon? Perhaps she could find Robert Locksley and actually confront him about his schemes. Was he planning to make trouble for her uncle? It would be wonderful to know the truth, to know just how Mr. Muchleigh figured in.
But there was no way she could follow the wagon without being seen. And how far where they going? She was not prepared to walk for miles today. This whole endeavor was poorly planned. She was in no position to question anyone or to offer any help to Meg. What a waste of an afternoon!
Defeated, she dragged herself toward home. The walking path up the hill was still muddy, but she barely noticed. She was already a mess. Her spirits fell even farther when she came back into the village and immediately saw Mr. Reeve with two of his deputies walking swiftly toward her.
“Miss Maidland!” he called. “I must speak with you.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Reeve,” she said politely.
He replied with worried bluster. “Where is your cousin? Has she been with you? Have you seen her?”
“Meg? No, I’ve been walking. I’m afraid Meg wasn’t feeling well enough to join me; she’s still at home.”
“But she isn’t!” Mr. Reeve announced. “I’ve just been summoned by your uncle. It seems he and your aunt are quite panicked. They returned home today tofind both of you ladies missing.”
