Page 23 of Rogue of the Greenwood
So he had men with him, did he? Sent them out on errands, apparently. But if not at Greenwood Manor, where were they staying? What could be the reason for all this secrecy? These men spoke in such hushed, conspiratorial tones. What was Locksley up to? Marianne was more than perplexed.
“He needs all the friends he can get right now,” Much said. “You can see how bad things are in Nottingham now. He didn’t come back a moment too soon, I’m afraid.”
The other men agreed. The elegant one was most assuring. “Yes, we’re quite aware things are not as they should be. Our mutual friend is determined to do all that he can to sort out the corruption he’s found.”
The larger man harrumphed. “The ones responsible are going to regret taking advantage of the good people of Nottingham, that’s for certain.”
“I hope so,” Much said. “Once again, it seems Sherwood is harboring the people’s only hope.”
Marianne could scarcely believe what she was hearing. The people’s only hope was being harbored in Sherwood forest? She strained to listen.
The men’s voices had grown quieter as they’d moved into another building. Peeking around, Marianne realized they were no longer in sight. Meg nudged her.
“Come on!” she hissed in her ear. “If we hurry now while they’re inside, we can get up the road to the footpath before they notice us.”
“You don’t want to see your friend George?”
“Not now! Don’t you know what they’re doing?”
“Er, going off to see a friend?”
“Yes! But didn’t you hear them? Don’t you know who this friend of theirs is?”
“Er, you know who it is?”
Meg’s eyes were huge and bright. “It’s Robin Hood, of course! He’s come back!”
Marianne gasped out loud. “Robin Hood?”
“It must be! They called him Rob, and said he was here to fight corruption and help the people! That sounds like Robin Hood to me, and I know just what he’s up to.”
“But how can you… what is he up to?”
“He plans to vanquish my father!”
Meg’s terror was real. Marianne didn’t quite know what to say to her. It wasn’t even close to the truth, of course. The very idea was laughable.
But then again, Marianne had seen Robert with her own eyes, disappearing into Sherwood after he begged her not to tell anyone of his presence there. What could she make of that? As for Meg’s fears about her father… well, until one hour ago Marianne would never have believed anyone could wish to vanquish Uncle Prinley. However, he was obviously not the kindly soul she’d once thought.
Could it possibly be that Meg’s wild assumption was true? These men were in league with Robert Locksley and he had some sort of plot against Uncle Prinley? Marianne struggled to catch her breath.
After all this time, could there truly be a Robin Hood? And was he, of all people, none other than Robert Locksley?
“It’s just like everyone is saying,” the boy exclaimed once Robert had ascertained he was no threat and let go of his collar. “I know old Balford wouldn’t lie… but I just couldn’t believe it was true.”
“So my butler sent you out here to be useful, did he?” Robert asked.
He and Alan had gone down to find the boy prowling outside the lodge. When confronted, he said his name was Henry. He claimed Balford had send him from Greenwood Manor. He was to check on Robert and make himself available for anything, if needed.
“Yes, sir! And he told me to bring you this.”
Robert watched warily as the boy pulled a bag from his shirt. It jingled as he held it out to him.
“What’s this?” Robert asked.
“Balford thought you would be needing it, sir. Sorry it ain’t much—Mr. Gisborn keeps the Locksley money as tight as a drum. You’d think it was his, the way he won’t ever part with it to pay for nothing.”
Robert felt the weight of the bag and knew it was quite full of coins. He glanced at Alan—they’d beenwondering how difficult it would be for Robert to access his funds while still remaining officially dead. This bag would, indeed, come in handy.
