Page 54 of Rogue of the Greenwood
“Thank you, Henry. We all need to be like RobinHood, don’t we? Especially these days. Go ahead, practice some more and when you are spent, hand me that bow.”
Henry eagerly nocked another arrow. Robert stayed silent, allowing the boy to recall all that he’d learned and apply it on his own. He pulled the bow, took careful aim, released a slow breath, then the arrow sang through the air, into the bag once again.
The boy cheered and Robert slapped his thin shoulders. John had come up to join them and he, too, praised the boy’s efforts. But Robert could tell that his friend had not come out of the lodge merely to observe archery practice. Shadows from the setting sun played against the troubled lines on the man’s face.
Robert encouraged Henry to continue, then stepped aside to speak privately with his friend.
“What is it, John? Not distressing news of the ladies, I hope.”
“No, the word from town is that their madcap scheme went off better than expected. It’s really quite surprising, but apparently your Miss Maidland is no stranger to intrigue and adventure.”
“No stranger to reckless folly, you mean, and certainly she is notmyMiss Maidland. But… you have heard that they are safely back where they belong?”
“Mr. Fraytuck sent word. The ladies are home, and all seems to be well again.”
Robert may have sighed with relief louder than he’d intended. It wasn’t merely the women’s safety he was thankful for, after all. Their successful deception meant he and his band were secure, for the time being.
He’d worried that would not be the case. Theladies’ plan was outrageous, and Miss Maidland had been too eager to go along with it. He’d been amazed by her willingness; he’d thought her too sensible for such a wild idea. However, as it turned out, it must have been more sensible than he thought. With Mr. Fraytuck as their unimpeachable witness, their ruse had been a success.
George Muchleigh was sent home and no further news had reached them of him encountering any trouble. He seemed to have been spared the repercussions of running off with his impetuous sweetheart. Word from Greenwood Manor was that preparations were continuing for Gisborn’s dinner with the St. Johns. Despite the dangers, it seemed all was back to usual. Everyone involved had been very lucky.
But how long would their luck hold out? The search for Miss St. John had been called off just before searchers arrived in this part of the forest. Robert could not believe his little band would be so fortunate again, should the sheriff feel the need to send men out.
And that was a very real possibility. There was already too much talk around town of strange things happening. People were gossiping about unknown men in the area handing out alms to highwaymen and asking questions. And after what they had planned this evening… Robert had no doubt his enemies would take note and wonder what it all meant.
“The sun’s nearly set now,” John said, interrupting Robert’s thoughts. “Are you still planning to venture out?”
“I am,” he replied. “I need to see for myself. From what Henry has said, that factory most certainly hasbeen built on my land and I need to know what sort of operation Gisborn is running there.”
“We’d best wait for cover of darkness, then. How long before you expect Alan and Will to return from the town?”
“Any time, I hope.”
“Better hope they don’t run into Gisborn there.”
“In town?” Robert frowned. He’d expected his traitorous steward to be settled in at home for the night.
“Your butler sent a message,” John announced. “Says Gisborn’s gone back into Nottingham tonight; probably another clandestine meeting with St. John or Reeve.”
“Dash it; I don’t like the notion of him prowling around with those two.”
“Agreed. I still say it was needless risk to send our men to fetch that fellow from gaol.”
“Henry’s father? Of course, we had to go after him. We have the money to pay now; it would not be right to leave him there.”
“But the vicar is the one who brought us the money; why didn’t he go pay the man’s bail?”
“And have everyone in Nottingham see that he’s involved? Then we would lose him as an asset.”
“But surely another day or two in gaol wouldn’t have been so very bad for the man.”
“Perhaps not, but what of the boy? How can we not take action, for his sake? The lad needs his father back. Plus, I daresay the man knows some things we ought to know about how Reeve operates.”
“True, and with his wife in a prisoner out at the factory, he’ll probably be more than willing to lend us a hand creeping out there tonight. With all theskullduggery they’ve been up to, I’ll bet Gisborn and Reeve have the place well-guarded.”
“We’ve navigated skullduggery before,” Robert said with a rueful chuckle.
John agreed. “That we have, Rob. More than our fair share of it, too.”
