Lady Thief: A Scarlet Novel

by Gaughen, A. C.

  With most of the men taking their bit of food, they drifted away from the windows, and Godfrey leaned up closer. “How’s Rob?” he asked.

  Godfrey Mason had been with us in the caves when the nightmares had started. They weren’t as bad then; the forest and fresh air had calmed him, I thought. But it weren’t so in the closeness of the monastery.

  “He’s fine,” I said, but the words caught in my mouth like it were mud.

  “Any word from Gisbourne?”

  We hadn’t heard from Gisbourne in months. He’d left an animal for me in the forest, a fox staked out on a tree with a knife through its heart. Then he went to London, far as I knew. “No,” I said.

  “There’s been talk around here,” he said. “The maids said Gisbourne’s things have been sent up to the castle.”

  I looked at him. “What?”

  “And the prince is coming. Everyone’s talking of it.”

  “I heard. Didn’t know that Gisbourne were coming back.” I couldn’t stop a shiver from running over me like a wave.

  His hands slipped from the bars like a creature going back to sea. “I’m glad I could do something, at least.”

  “Thank you,” I told him.

  I twisted on the window ledge and jumped down, holding the flour tight to my belly before setting off to the upper bailey. The middle bailey had been so long broken that no one much had been up here, and it were quiet and safe, the way I ain’t never known this place to be. The Great Hall were full fixed, the caved-in roof patched over. The residences stood dark and empty, and I went in them slow like phantoms might guard the place.

  The sheriff’s room, the grandest in the place, were empty, but it were clear the maids had been through here, scrubbing floors and laying fresh rushes, putting up the heavy winter bedclothes and tapestries. Logs were piled beside cold fireplaces, and the whole place were clean and fresh.

  Gisbourne’s room looked just as it had, like time had frozen with the winter, only there were two large trunks now at the foot of the bed with a fresh stuffed mattress and newly tight bed ropes.

  The thief in me wanted to go through his things, look at his treasures like he weren’t someone I were so afraid of, but I couldn’t. I sat cross-legged on the top of the trunk, as if sitting there and keeping his coffers closed could keep him from coming back.

  We were supposed to have time. We’d paid dear, in blood and promises that took my soul with them. We’d tumbled the wall, we’d watched the sheriff die—it was all supposed to have meant something.

  But it weren’t better. It well may have been worse.

  I twisted the gold band on my finger, hating it anew. My time had run out, and my husband were returning to Nottinghamshire.

  Chapter Four

  I went to Tuck’s, slipping in the back door, hoping for the noise and heat and familiar smell of the lot of the men. But it weren’t so; Tuck were alone, wiping down the bar.

  “It’s late, Scar,” he said, offering me up a smile.

  As if I needed such reminding. I yawned. “Went to Nottingham,” I said.

  “Want some soup?”

  Ever since months past when one of his pies had made me retch up, all Tuck ever gave me were soup and broth and the occasional stew. I didn’t mind; my belly seemed to take it better than slabs of meat or sweets and such. I nodded, and he ducked into the back for a bit.

  Right then, John came thundering down the stairs, and Bess were flying after him. “John!” she cried.

  “No!” he hollered, flapping an arm like it were a wing. “Leave off, Bess. Just give me a moment’s rest from your torture.”

  She slumped her round hip against the banister. “Really, John. I just need more time.”

  “Or maybe you don’t. Maybe needing more time is all the answer I need.”

  “That barely makes sense, John,” she said. She shook her head and went back up the stairs.

  He heaved out a sigh and turned, sat on the stairs, and shoved his big head into his hands. His fingers worked through his hair and he lifted his head.

  “Christ,” he grunted. “What the hell are you doing here, Scarlet?”

  I lifted my shoulders, and he pushed off the stairs, coming closer to me. He sat beside me and stared at my neck.

  I covered it with my hands. “Mind your business, John.”

  “Not going back tonight?” he asked.

  “Later,” I said.

  “It’s already later,” he told me.

  Tuck came back out with a big bowl of soup for me, and I set into it while Tuck laughed at John. “Kicked you out, did she?”

  John just glowered, but I looked to Tuck. “You mean Bess? What’s going on?”

  “Mind your business; wasn’t that what you said?” John snapped at me.

  Tuck’s belly rolled with his laughs. “You foolish young things,” he said, shaking his head. “So tell me of the menfolk, Scarlet.”

  I swallowed a mouthful of soup. “They’re well enough. A few are taking sick, but they’re not ill cared for. Most are just worried and eager to be out. Seems they’ll be done soon enough. Wall’s almost finished.”

  “Maybe then the louts they call knights will hightail it back to London,” John grumbled.

  “Not likely,” said Tuck, settling himself into a seat. “They’re settled and can live for free—very tough to shake them off. Not that I’m complaining; they still bring coin to drink here.”

  “Until they run out of coin and decide the Crown needs your ale,” I reminded him.

  He shrugged. “That day, I’ll mind.”

  “Any other news?” John asked.

  Gisbourne’s coming back. I opened my mouth to tell him, but I didn’t want to speak the words aloud. “The prince will name a new sheriff when he comes.”

  John whistled. “That’s news.”

  “Who do you reckon it will be?” Tuck asked. “Has to be a landholder, right?”

  “Right,” I said. “It’s meant to be a landholder in the county, but if there were someone the prince wanted for the job, it’s easy enough to have it done. Rob got Thoresby to petition the prince, but I don’t know if he’ll choose him.”

  “At least Thoresby knows the people,” Tuck said. “But I can’t think he’d be so natural at being sheriff.”

  “He’d be fair,” I said with a shrug.

  “You mean he’d listen to Robin Hood,” Tuck said.

  “Rob’s fair.”

  John’s eyes went to my neck, and him looking made Tuck look. Tuck stood up, his body tight, making me remember how much of him were muscle. “Rob didn’t do that to you, did he, Scarlet? Figured you got into a scrape, which ain’t unusual for you.”

  “It’s not like that, Tuck,” I said, but I weren’t much good at lying about it yet.

  He looked to John. “John, tell me the truth.”

  “Rob’s had some rough nights, Tuck. He didn’t know what he was doing, but he did it,” John said, staring at the bar.

  Tuck’s eyes were hard on John, like somehow it were his fault, but Tuck nodded. “Scar, you’ll stay here till the morning. We’ve got extra beds.”

  Beds that were warm and safe besides. I wanted to—it would be so simple to just nod and go upstairs, but I shook my head. “I’ll go back, Tuck. It’s not the way you think.”

  His big paw fell on mine, and I looked up at him. “Scarlet. I’ve known my fair share of rough men, and I know Rob ain’t that. But you don’t give him the chance to do it twice, you understand? You’ll stay here.”

  Being told what to do made me want to run out and do anything but. “Tuck, stay out of it,” I told him sharp. “You don’t know what’s going on. And I wouldn’t never give up on Rob because he’s had a bad time.”

  Tuck shook his head. “There’s no two ways about bruises, Scar.”

  I glared at him. “There ain’t no two ways about loyalty.” I sighed, shaking my head. “It’s a bad situation, Tuck. We all know that. But I believe in Robin almost as much as the Almight
y. And I won’t give up on him.”

  Tuck turned to John. “She goes, you go with her.”

  John sighed and leaned back in his seat, but he nodded. Tuck tossed his towel down. “Drop the bowl in the kitchen when you’re done, Scar. I’m going to bed.”

  “Can I make you stay here?” John asked.

  “No. Can I make you tell me ’bout Bess?”

  He chuckled. “Not a chance.”

  John walked me back to the monastery, quiet as we made slow work of the crunching, frozen ground. When we reached the grounds, he turned to the warming room and I just nodded toward the infirmary. He met my eyes, and they understood more than I liked. He nodded to me.

  The infirmary were empty of needy souls, and so there weren’t a fire in there. Still, there were blankets and cots and I took both, curling up in a corner and sleeping. It had been an awful long day, and I just wanted a few moments of true rest.

  When I woke, the sun were up and I could hear the monks moving about outside and the bell ringing. I felt colder than when I went to sleep, and figured it might be worth the risk to go to the warming room now. Rob wouldn’t be there still.

  I went quiet from the infirmary, pushing on the door to see a body blocking the other side of it.

  “Rob,” I whispered. My heart started to pound, but it weren’t like I were afraid of him. I only didn’t want him knowing why I might choose to sleep in a cold empty room rather than with the band. Didn’t want him even thinking on it.

  “Morning, Scar,” he said.

  Slipping out the door, I let it shut behind me and sat beside him slow. The sun were fair warm, and it weren’t as cold as most days. He looked at me, his ocean eyes stormy and wide. His hands went slowly up and he looked at my neck, wincing like I hit him when he caught it full. It felt worse. “Christ Almighty, Scar,” he said, letting his hands fall.

  “What’s happening to you, Rob?” I asked. My voice fell so soft I weren’t sure he heard. “I don’t care about the bruises. I don’t. I been bruised before. I’m just so frightened for you.”

  “These nightmares, Scar. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Please, Rob, can’t you tell me of them?”

  He shook his head, slowly. “I don’t even know how, Scarlet. I would give you everything I am, but I can’t say these things.”

  I moved closer to him and curled against his body, and he rested his head on mine. “I love you, Rob, don’t you know that?” I whispered.

  “I know. I love you too. I wouldn’t wish that on a soul, but I love you more than anything, Scar. And I’d die if I … if I ever …,” he said.

  “No dying,” I said. Truth was, I didn’t want him to finish that bit. I didn’t want to know what he thought he might be capable of doing to me. Not with Gisbourne back, not with the prince coming. I couldn’t lose the safety of Robin’s arms. “We just need you to sleep. Maybe you should try Brother Ralf’s tincture.”

  His fingers ran along my arm, and even through so many clothes it burned and made me feel like I was some delicate, precious thing. “I’ve seen men on such sleeping draughts,” he told me. “It dulls everything. If the knights caused trouble, I’d be useless. I’d go sleeping right through.”

  “Rob,” I whispered. “It ain’t the nighttime we need to worry after. We need you to rest so you can lead. Nothing would happen to you while you slept.” I turned a little and sniffed my nose against his cheek. “And if it did, I would defend you with my life.”

  Both his arms came around me, hauling me over him to sit a step lower than him, between his legs with his body tight around mine. He rested his head on my neck and I leaned back against him, resting my elbows on his knees. “I’ll do it for you, Scarlet. I’ll talk to Ralf today.”

  I trembled but I nodded my head, twisting my eyes shut tight. Please, I prayed. Let this work. Let him just need sleep. Let me defend him and his hero’s heart.

  “It’s strange,” he said low in my ear. “When night falls my chest is full of fear, but holding you like this, Scar, I can’t help but feel grateful. Joyous. By the light of day, I still cannot fathom that I’m the one you love.”

  I turned a little to look at him. “I do love you. I always will.” I found myself staring at his mouth, my breath gone, desperate to kiss him and see what it felt like, to love a body so very much and have your lips touch, to taste him.

  I ducked my head down, shutting my eyes tight and feeling a shudder like pain go through my bones. I weren’t going to risk God’s wrath more by having adultery added to my sins.

  His arms squeezed tight around me, and I weren’t sure if he knew my mind, but it felt like he understood.

  I were on my way to Edwinstowe already when I saw a body darting through the woods. I hid and watched, but soon enough called out when I realized who it were. “Will!” I yelled. “Will Clarke!”

  The fair-headed boy stopped.

  “You running for me?” I asked, going over to him.

  He nodded, red cheeked and huffing. “I saw ’im,” he gasped. “I saw him!”

  My breath flew. “Where?”

  “On the road. To. To Notting. Ham,” he huffed.

  “How long?”

  He put his fists on his hips, thinking. “S’long as it took me to run,” he told me.

  I nodded and set off running. He groaned and started running behind me. “Go home, Will!” I yelled. He kept on running.

  “Mam says he’ll kill you!” he shouted.

  “He’ll kill you first!” I yelled, and I heard his footsteps slow. “Thank you, Will!” I shouted, and ran on, leaping over a fallen tree.

  Sure as sunups, Gisbourne were in Nottingham Castle. The whole place were in a tizzy for him too. Maids running every which way. Knights kitted up in full order. He left quick as he came, though, on a fresh horse and headed straight for Edwinstowe.

  I tracked him with a wide berth. He didn’t bother anyone in the village, and he just went straight to Tuck’s. I were fair far back when I saw him go in, but I ran for the place then, slipping in the back and staying low.

  No one were screaming, which were a fair good sign.

  “—all. I trust you’ll give him the message.”

  Someone touched my arm, and I turned to see Rob crouching beside me, John behind him. John pushed a finger against his mouth, and I glared at him. Did he think I were thick? What were I like to do, announce myself?

  “Yes, milord,” Tuck said.

  There were footsteps, and a moment later Tuck called, “John? Rob? You still back there?”

  They stood and I stood with them. “Scar too,” John said.

  “How much of that did you lot catch?” he asked.

  We came to the front side of the bar. “None,” I said.

  “He said he wants to meet with Robin,” John said. “After Vespers, at the well.”

  “Vespers? He said Vespers?” I asked. “Do you think he knows about the monastery? Or the ribbons and the barn?”

  “Vespers is just faster than saying a little after sunset, and the well is a central place,” Tuck said with a shrug. “He probably doesn’t.”

  “What else?” I asked. “Did he say what he’s about?”

  “No. Just said he reckoned I knew how to get a message to Robin Hood.”

  Rob’s hands settled on my shoulders, his body warm along my back. “It has to be some sort of a trap.”

  “He doesn’t have men with him; I’m sure he’s free to use the knights, but he doesn’t have men of his own,” I told Rob, turning to look at him.

  He crossed his arms, frowning at me. “Oh? How long have you known he was back?”

  My face ran hot. “I heard things. Just found out he were back today.”

  “And you didn’t tell me.” His eyes met mine, and I looked away. “Of course you didn’t,” he said, and this were low and sad.

  Much burst into the room. “Rob! Rob! Gisbourne’s back!”

  We all just stared at him.

  “Little late, Muc
h,” John told him. “He wants to meet with Rob.”

  “Well, all of us,” I said. “It ain’t like you’re going alone.”

  “You’re not going,” John and Rob said at the same time.

  “Of course she is,” Much said. “Even if you ignore the fact that whatever he wants from Rob will definitely have something to do with Scar, don’t be stupid and think she’d be at home knitting, lads. Better to know where she is.”

  “Thank you,” I told Much. He grinned at me.

  “Up high and well armed,” Rob said.

  “Fine,” I said. “But don’t think I’ll sit idly by if he tries something.”

  “We wouldn’t expect you to ever keep yourself out of needless danger, Scar. Don’t worry,” John said.

  I glared at him.

  “Am I the only one who thinks we just shouldn’t bother? Who gives a damn what he has to say? I’ll kill this or hurt that—doesn’t that pretty much cover it?” John asked.

  “Why come back at all?” I said. “He’s been gone for months.”

  They all looked at me.

  “Oh, for Heaven’s sake, I don’t think he cares that we’re married.”

  “No man doesn’t care that he’s married,” John grunted, looking at the stairs. “Much is right, whatever it is definitely has to do with Scar. Without a sheriff to hire him on as a thief taker, he doesn’t have any interest in Nottinghamshire.”

  “Well, he can’t have Scar. No matter what,” Rob said, looking at me. “I think we have to find out what he wants. He simply causes too much carnage for us to ignore him entirely.” I looked down and Rob came closer, catching my hand and running his fingers through mine. “Can you do this?”

  I nodded, meeting his eyes. “I’m not afraid of him.”

  Rob leaned closer and kissed my cheek.

  “Let’s get going,” Rob said. “We need to get to the monastery and back by sunset.”

  After such strange quiet in the past few months, it felt fair right to be walking through Sherwood, armed to the teeth the four of us. John and I went high on rooftops and Much were hidden behind a house while Robin stayed behind another house.