by N B Dixon
“My mother is ill, and Lady Gisborne is nursing her. It’s good to see you.”
Robin eyed Bryan closely. Now the first surprise was over, he couldn’t help noticing the subdued tone of Bryan’s voice or the weary slump to his shoulders. There were dark circles under his eyes as if he had not slept in a long time.
“I’m sorry to hear about your mother. Is it serious?”
“Lady Gisborne called in the apothecary yesterday. He bled my mother to try and rid her of the evil humours, but I haven’t seen much of an improvement.” Bryan’s face worked. “She is all the family I have left.”
Robin was about to point out that the Gisbornes were Bryan’s nearest relations, but thought better of it. If Guy were his cousin, he wouldn’t want to admit it, either. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “If there is anything I can do. Perhaps a second opinion? I could send for another apothecary.”
Bryan managed a sad smile. “It is kind of you to offer, but I think her time is almost here, and I don’t wish her to suffer any more than she has to.”
Robin nodded, reaching out to pat Bryan’s shoulder.
“Where are you going?” Bryan asked, though Robin thought he didn’t really care about the answer.
“To see a girl. Her name is Lucy. She is the miller’s daughter.”
“Your father won’t approve.”
Robin grinned. “Since when has my father ever approved of anything I do?”
Bryan managed a weak smile in return. “How is Will? Is he still working for your father?”
“He’s still here. Honestly, I don’t know how the estate ever managed without him. Look, why don’t you call at the manor? Will would be glad to see you.”
“No, I can’t,” Bryan said hastily. “I mean, my mother will be wondering where I am, and Guy is expecting me back soon.”
Robin stared at him in growing concern. “What, is Guy your jailor? Is he watching your every move?”
“No, of course not. I mean…” Bryan looked flustered. “I must not be away from my mother too long. She asks for me hourly.” He turned to go, but Robin gripped his arm.
“Bryan, what is it? What’s going on?”
Bryan jerked free. “Nothing. I must go.” He started to hurry away.
“Come and visit when you can,” Robin called after him.
Bryan gave a distracted bob of the head that might have meant anything and disappeared from view.
Puzzled, Robin continued on his way. Something was wrong with Bryan. He seemed frightened half out of his mind. Could Guy have some hold over him? Robin made a mental note to speak to Katrina at the first opportunity.
His mind returned to Lucy as he reached the mill. Hurrying inside, he found her and her mother busy baking that day’s bread.
Lucy blushed at the sight of him and dropped her eyes to her work.
Robin sighed. So that was how it was going to be. Up close, he thought she looked ill.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” he began, not knowing what else to say. He had intended to ask Lucy for a private talk, but he couldn’t expect her to abandon her work.
“I can manage on my own for a while, Lucy,” Meg said, with a meaningful look at her daughter. “Why don’t you step out for a breath of air? You look as if you could do with it.”
Robin thought for a moment that Lucy was going to argue, but she dusted off her hands and, without a word, walked outside. Robin shot Meg a grateful glance and hurried to follow her.
“Lucy, are you all right?”
“Yes, I mean, no. Can we walk? I have something to tell you.”
“Of course.” Robin tried to reach for her hand, but she set off at a brisk pace.
They walked past the various thatched cottages. A few people waved and called to them, but Lucy barely seemed to hear them.
She was making for what passed as Locksley’s village green, where she stopped beneath the branches of an ancient yew tree.
“This was my favourite place when I was a little girl. Peter and I and some of our friends used to play here. Peter always climbed higher than the other boys. Some people say the yew stands for protection, yet its berries are poisonous. Isn’t that odd?”
Robin was thrown by her peculiar mood. He cast about for something to say.
“Is it true Much comes home today?”
“Aye. Da has gone to fetch him. He’s recovering well.” The momentary smile that had lit her face vanished like a snuffed-out candle.
“Lucy, what’s the matter? Tell me, please.”
She turned a tormented face up to him. Her lips trembled, and he could see the glimmer of tears in her eyes.
“What is it?”
“I am with child, Robin.”
He gaped at her, certain he had misheard.
“You… What?”
“I said I am with child,” she repeated, her voice steadier this time.
Robin’s mind reeled. They had lain together once. Could it happen after just once? He tried to think of something sensible to say.
“Are you sure?” The moment the words were out of his mouth, he wanted to kick himself.
She nodded.
Robin struggled to take in what she was telling him. He was a father. Terror gripped him. He knew nothing about caring for a child. He wasn’t quite sure what to feel. Of all the possible futures he’d ever imagined for himself, the thought of children simply hadn’t occurred to him. Stupid, he thought now.
Lucy misinterpreted his silence. “It’s all right,” she said, her voice dull. “You don’t have to acknowledge the child. I just thought you should know.” She turned to walk away.
Robin snapped out of his reverie. “Wait!”
She turned back to him. Her eyes were wet, but she held her head high. “I know this places you in a terrible position, Robin. I didn’t want to tell you, but Mam said you had a right to know. I don’t expect anything from you. This is God’s judgement on me.”
Robin’s confusion was rapidly giving way to anger. “So you think I would turn my back on you? You think all I wanted was a romp in the hay barn and now I’ll move on?”
Lucy’s defiance crumbled. Tears began trickling down her cheeks. “Robin, I’m so sorry.” When he still continued to look puzzled, she said, “Don’t you see? You are Lord Locksley’s heir. You have a life to lead, a future. I’m nobody. Even if you did acknowledge the baby, you could never be a part of its life. Far better to turn your back.” She started to sob.
Robin hated to see her so distraught. He pulled her close. She folded into him, her tears dampening his tunic.
God’s judgement, she had said. Well if so, it was on both of them. Briefly, he thought of Will, but nothing could ever come of that. He was fond of Lucy.
He lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Listen to me. So this wasn’t planned, but it doesn’t matter. We’ll get married as soon as possible.”
“But what will Lord Locksley say?”
“My father and the rest of the world can go to the devil for all I care. You know I’ve never wanted that life.”
She was staring at him as if she hardly dared to believe what he was saying.
“But what will you do for a living?”
“Since Peter died and Much was crippled, your father will need all the help he can get. Plus, he will need someone to pass his trade on to. I am more than happy to learn.”
Lucy smiled through her tears, hugging him tightly. He wiped them away with his thumb.
“Don’t cry anymore now. You will upset our son.”
She managed a shaky laugh. “It might be a girl.”
“It might, but I have this feeling it is a boy.”
“Would you hate to have a daughter?”
“As long as the child is healthy, I don’t care what it is. Go on home. I need to tell my father.”
***
Robin returned home in a daze. He was going to be a father. His life would never be the same again.
As Locksley Manor came into view, he
halted. This had been his home for eighteen years. It had not always been a happy one, but it was familiar. From today, he would be stepping into the unknown.
He wondered what sort of father he would make. He was determined he would not bring his child up the way his father had raised him, fearing a blow for every small misdemeanour, nothing ever being good enough. He would be proud of his child, whatever it did.
He was afraid, not of hard work, but of failing Lucy and the baby somehow. What if he didn’t have what it took to be a good husband and father? Boys his age did marry, but what he was planning would cause a scandal that his father would likely never live down.
Distantly, he heard Martha singing. She was the only mother he had ever known. He would miss her. He wondered what his own mother would think of his decision.
He needed to confide in someone, and there was only one person he could talk to.
Will was, as usual, in the stables. He was perched on an upturned bucket, munching an apple. As Robin watched, one of the horses bumped its head against the bars of its stall. Will smiled and handed it a piece of apple.
Sadness washed over Robin, mingled with regret. Things would never be the same between them, either. He had other responsibilities now. Their carefree days were over.
He studied Will’s familiar face. This would be hard. Best to get it over with.
“You look as if you are about to walk to the gallows,” Will remarked around a mouthful of apple. “If you were hoping to avoid His Lordship’s guest, you’re in luck. He left about ten minutes ago.”
“That’s good,” Robin said distractedly.
Will gave his apple core to the expectant horse. “He’s livid.”
“When isn’t he?”
Will looked at him more closely. “Has something happened? Is it Much?”
Robin shook his head. He took a deep breath. “Lucy is going to have a child.” He might as well have announced that Lucy had grown an extra head.
“A child?” Will managed finally. “Is she sure?”
In spite of himself, Robin rolled his eyes. “I think she would know, Will.”
For the first time Robin could remember, Will was speechless. Had he looked that shocked when Lucy had told him?
“What are you going to do?” Will asked.
“What do you mean? I’ll marry her, of course. I can work for her father. He’ll need all the help he can get with Peter gone.”
Will was still staring at him as if he had never seen him properly before.
Robin’s temper, already under some strain, snapped. “What, did you think this was a game? That she was an amusement and I would walk away when I grew bored?” Even as he said it, he winced. Lucy had been an amusement in the beginning.
“Have you really thought this through?”
“Of course I have.”
Will glared at him. “You’re a lord’s son. You’ve never had to work a day in your life. You’ve never gone to bed with your belly aching from hunger, scared your family won’t make it through the winter. If you walk out now, you can’t come crawling back here when things get tough.” The bite of contempt in Will’s voice stung.
“I’m not stupid. I know the risks. I’m not going to turn my back on her because it would make my life easier.”
They glared at each other in silence for a few moments. This was ridiculous. Why were they fighting? With an effort, Robin forced himself to speak more calmly.
“If you’re worried about your job, then don’t be. I’m sure Father will keep you on.”
“For Christ’s sake, Robin, It’s not the damn job I care about.” The words burst from Will. He turned away.
Robin was baffled. Will was visibly upset, and he had no idea why.
His voice came out more uneven than he would have liked. “I never wanted this life, Will. I don’t know what my future holds, but it isn’t as the next Lord of Locksley.”
Will turned to him. His face was expressionless.
“Then you’d better break the good news to His Lordship. He’ll most likely have a seizure.”
Robin grimaced. “Wish me luck.”
“You’ll need more than luck.”
***
Will watched Robin out of sight, then kicked out. His foot made contact with the nearest stall door, startling the horse inside. Though the bang was satisfying, the sharp pain that followed only served to make him feel worse. Absently, he soothed the disgruntled horse.
Robin was going to marry Lucy. Will didn’t know why he was surprised. Of course Robin would do the honourable thing. But God, it hurt. So much for the connection he’d sensed between them. It had clearly been all in his mind. He’d known something was up. Robin had been quiet and distant for weeks. He’d refused to talk about what was bothering him.
Will had assumed things were not that serious between Robin and Lucy. He could not have been more wrong. If Robin meant to go, then he would, too. Will felt no loyalty to Lord Locksley, and the manor was only home while Robin lived there.
Which shows what a daft clot you are, he thought, fighting against sudden, unwelcome tears.
***
“So, you finally decided to make an appearance?”
Robin met Lord Locksley’s steely gaze. He was seated in his favourite chair by the hearth. Without being asked, Robin took the chair opposite and helped himself to a cup of wine. Lord Locksley watched his every movement, the tension building between them.
“The earl has left. I particularly wanted you to meet him, Robin.”
“What for?”
“For the most important of reasons. David Fitzwalter, Earl of Huntingdon, is one of the wealthiest landowners in Britain. His estates stretch across several counties.”
“I thought King Henry confiscated some of his lands when he declared for young Henry.”
“He did, which just shows you the cunning of the man. He is a ruthless politician. Little by little, he has wormed his way back into our king’s good graces, and his lands have been returned to him. The earl and I were friends once. Our friendship cooled but now…” He left his sentence unfinished.
Robin had no difficulty completing it. Now the earl was once more high in the king’s favour, his father was anxious to renew their friendship with both eyes on his own advancement. Robin could feel his temper rising again, and it was a struggle to keep his voice calm.
“What does this have to do with me?” He knew, of course; Martha had told him. But some small part of him still hoped she had been mistaken.
“The earl offers his daughter in marriage. Lady Marian Fitzwalter is his only living child, and since he has no other close kin, she stands to inherit all his substantial property. Naturally, the earl is anxious that his daughter should marry wisely, since he wishes to know that the next Earl of Huntingdon will be someone he can trust.”
And manipulate, Robin added silently. He was living through some waking nightmare. He wished his father would be quiet, but he was still talking.
“He was favourably impressed by my report of you and the marriage was agreed on. The girl is fourteen years old, so she is of marriageable age. Her father and I see no point in delaying, so the marriage will take place in a fortnight. On the day of your wedding, I shall give over the running of the Locksley estate to you entirely. On the earl’s death, you will succeed to his lands and title. The earl and I will assist you with the running of the estates, of course. You are young yet, and inexperienced. But in time, you will rise to be one of the most powerful men in England. A few healthy male heirs and your lineage will be assured.”
Robin stared at his father in disbelief. He had assumed that the marriage would be some way off. What was the big hurry? Could his father know about Lucy and this was his way of making sure his son married appropriately? Well, he would be doomed to disappointment in that case.
“No.”
Interrupted in mid-flow, Lord Locksley stared at him.
“I beg your pardon?”
Robin had got to his f
eet. He was shaking with rage. “I won’t do it.”
Lord Locksley’s eyes took on a dangerous glint. “You did hear what I said about the prestige such an alliance would bring to this family? You are the heir, and as such, it is your duty to marry appropriately.”
“And my personal wishes count for nothing, I suppose?”
Lord Locksley made a dismissive noise. “Children are rarely consulted about their future spouses. You know that.”
“I’m going to marry someone else.”
There was a moment of stunned silence. Robin enjoyed a brief instant of satisfaction. He didn’t think he had ever rendered his father speechless before.
Lord Locksley recovered quickly. “Whoever she is, I’m sure this is a passing phase. You will get over her in time. I was young once. I remember how it felt to lust after a pretty face, but I did my duty.”
“She’s going to have a child.”
Robin watched the colour drain from his father’s face.
“A child?”
“That’s right. You are to be a grandfather. Congratulations.”
“Who is this girl?”
“Lucy, the miller’s daughter. It was her brother whom Guy murdered.”
“And you intend to acknowledge this child?”
“I do.”
“Such generosity is noble,” Lord Locksley said with obvious effort. “But Robin, you are not obliged to do anything. Plenty of us have bastards. A few pennies to the mother and you will have discharged any obligation.”
Robin’s voice trembled with fury. “Didn’t you hear what I said, Father? I’m going to marry Lucy, and I don’t care what you or anyone else has to say about it.”
Lord Locksley sprang to his feet. He slammed his clenched fist down on the table so hard the cups rattled.
“So help me, Robin, I will not allow this. I won’t allow you to drag our family name through the mud because of some foolish infatuation. I forbid it.”
“You can forbid it all you like, Father. I will marry Lucy with or without your consent.”
Lord Locksley leaned forward until their faces were inches apart. “Disobey me in this, Robin, and it’s over, do you hear? I will disinherit you. You will be left with nothing—no land, no title. You will live as a pauper and outcast the rest of your life. I will never so much as mention your name.”