Heir of Locksley

by N B Dixon

  Robin had known this was coming, but the words were still a shock. He hadn’t been prepared for the hatred he saw blazing in his father’s eyes.

  “So,” Lord Locksley said, “what is it to be? Will you marry Huntingdon’s daughter and take your place in society? Or will you spend the rest of your days as a common peasant? Choose!”

  This was it. There could be no going back. The voice of the gypsy from that long-ago meeting rose abruptly to mind. She had told him then that his future stood at a crossroads. Whatever path he chose would ultimately change his life. Will, too, had questioned his decision. The look on his face… Robin shied away from the memory. It hurt to think of Will.

  Sudden doubt assailed him. He could acknowledge the child without marrying Lucy. The moment the thought formed, he despised himself. Then he would be no different to the nobles he detested, who thought only of their personal pleasures and never cared about the lives they ruined, who used peasant girls as if they were property. Lucy would be lucky to find a husband willing to take her after bearing a child out of wedlock. Her life and reputation would be destroyed while his would remain untouched. As his father had said, many lords had bastards.

  Robin looked into Lord Locksley’s cold, arrogant face, and his resolve hardened.

  “Goodbye, Father.”

  Lord Locksley’s eyes widened with shock.

  Amidst the tumult of emotions battering him, Robin was aware of a perverse satisfaction. His father had really believed he would stay, that when faced with the loss of his title, he would come to his senses.

  Lord Locksley struggled to regain his composure. “You have an hour. Be gone by then or I shall have you driven off. You have been a disappointment to me since the day you were born.”

  Robin said nothing. He stalked upstairs with his head held high, but those last words of his father’s hurt, far more than he wanted to admit.

  ***

  Robin changed into his yeoman’s clothing. He gathered his bow and quiver, and the sword Sir Richard had given him for his last birthday. He debated leaving it behind, since it was against the law for a peasant to carry a sword, but he couldn’t bring himself to. It was part of him, like his bow.

  “Robin?”

  He glanced up to see Martha in the doorway. She looked close to tears.

  “Robin, what’s happening? They’re saying you’re to leave in an hour.”

  “My father has cast me out.”

  Martha wrung her hands. “But for God’s sake, why?”

  “Because I told him I was marrying Lucy. She’s going to have a child.”

  “Oh, Robin.” Martha flung her arms around him, sobbing. He remembered when, as a child, he had turned to her for reassurance, but those days were over. He was on his own.

  “It’s all right, Martha,” he said awkwardly. “We’ll still see each other.”

  “Oh, my darling boy.” She sniffed loudly and dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve. “You have always been like a son to me. I shall miss you.”

  Robin’s eyes blurred. He turned hastily away. Martha hadn’t reproached him or told him he was making a mistake.

  Just then, Sir Richard poked his head in. “I called to see your father. He told me what happened.”

  Robin found it hard to meet his old tutor’s eyes. “I suppose you think I am a fool.”

  “No, just stubborn. You and your father are more alike than you realise. He will come round in time.”

  Robin doubted it. He held out his hand, and Sir Richard grasped it, his grip firm. Robin knew then that their roles as pupil and tutor were over for good. He shouldered his weapons and his few other belongings and headed outside.

  Will was waiting for him, a bundle over his shoulder. Robin opened his mouth but no words came. Again, that sharp pain as he recalled their quarrel closed off his throat.

  “You could stay,” he managed. “My father’s quarrel isn’t with you.”

  Will grinned. To Robin’s relief, it was the old, familiar grin. “Where would be the fun in that?”

  The knot of anxiety in Robin’s chest eased a little. He attempted a smile in return.

  All the servants had gathered. They looked sad, and Alan and Peggy were weeping openly. Only Edgar, the steward, looked as if he were trying to hide a smile. Robin said farewell to each of them. Then there was one last tearful embrace from Martha and he was outside the gate, which clanged shut behind him.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 16

  The Blue Boar was quiet at this time of the afternoon. Will sat across from Robin, who was staring into the depths of his mug as though he saw his future there. He had barely spoken since leaving his father’s house. Will didn’t know what had passed between Robin and Lord Locksley, but he was sure it hadn’t been pretty.

  Their own argument was still fresh in his mind, but Robin hadn’t mentioned it, and Will was happy to follow his lead. His own feelings weren’t important.

  “So, what happened between you and His Lordship?”

  Robin took a swallow of ale. “Why ask me? The whole village will be awash with gossip by this evening. It isn’t every day that the lord of the manor casts out his son and heir.” Though Robin spoke lightly, his eyes blazed with anger. “I hope Harry will take me in. Otherwise, I’ll be sleeping in the hay barn.”

  “Of course he will. That family owes you.”

  Robin signalled for a refill.

  “What happens to the estate when Lord Locksley dies?”

  “If he doesn’t leave it to the Church, it will revert to the crown unless someone else buys it. I suppose the Gisbornes might. It was part of their estate once, after all.”

  “What did Lord Locksley say?” Will ventured.

  “He told me that I had been a disappointment to him ever since I was born and he would never mention my name again.”

  Aye, that sounded like His Lordship. The man was a fool in spite of his fancy title.

  “You needn’t have left, you know,” Robin said.

  “Your da doesn’t pay me enough.”

  This time, Robin’s grin was genuine.

  “So, who was the wench he had picked out for you?” Will asked.

  “The Earl of Huntingdon’s daughter. She is fourteen years old.” Robin grimaced. “He proposed it as if he were offering me a treat, but all he cares about is his own advancement. The earl is one of the wealthiest land owners in the kingdom, and the girl is his only child. Whoever marries her stands to inherit extensive property and a title to go with it. I told him flat out I was marrying Lucy and I didn’t care what he thought about it.”

  Will wished he had been there to hear that. The look on Lord Locksley’s face would have been beyond price.

  Robin drained his second mug. “What about you? Where will you go?”

  Will shrugged. “I’ve helped out at the blacksmith’s forge a time or two. He offered me an apprenticeship.”

  A group of men entered. As one, their eyes went to the corner where Will and Robin were sitting. Robin stiffened.

  Will pushed away his own half-empty mug. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  ***

  It was a tight squeeze around the table that evening. As Meg ladled pottage into wooden bowls, Robin found himself wondering if she resented him. Harry had agreed to take Robin on and teach him his trade, but did Meg feel he was taking Peter’s place? However, when she set a bowl in front of him, it was with a smile.

  The pottage was thin and bland, comprised of turnips and beans grown on the small plot behind the mill. There wasn’t much to go around. The bread was coarse, made from rye, nothing like the soft wheat bread Robin would have eaten at Locksley Manor. The ale was also home brewed. It was a simple meal, but Robin was grateful for it. He felt more relaxed among these simple folk than he ever had at a feast in his father’s hall.

  He wondered how Will was getting on with Mathew the blacksmith and his family. Mathew was an old tavern crony of theirs who had often bemoaned the lack of sons to carry on
his trade. Robin suspected the reason he had taken Will on with such alacrity was that he was hoping to make him his son-in-law. Robin experienced a sharp pang at the thought, but Will deserved to be happy. If he could land one of the girls, he’d have a business ready-made. Robin swallowed his mouthful of food with difficulty, his appetite gone.

  Much dumped a hunk of bread into his bowl. He sat on the wooden settle by the fire, his leg propped up on a stool.

  He was looking a good deal better, though still pale. His leg was healing well, according to the nuns, but it was still crooked, as though someone had twisted it and then forgotten to straighten it out again. Robin knew it always would be. Still, it was good to see Much back with his family where he belonged.

  “Was Lord Locksley very angry?” Much asked.

  “Much!” Meg chided, but Robin grinned.

  “Yes, he was extremely angry.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lucy flinch. She was picking at her food, her face pale and unhappy. Concern tugged at Robin, but he pushed it down. There would be time enough to talk later.

  “Did he really say he never wanted to see you again?” Much pressed, his thin face alight with curiosity.

  “That’s enough,” Meg scolded. “I’m sure Robin doesn’t feel like talking about it.”

  “No, it’s all right.” Robin laid down his horned spoon. “My father has disinherited me. I have forfeited my title, and he never wants to see me again, but he may well decide to take some retribution.”

  “Let him,” Harry said. “You’ve been good to us. Our Lucy couldn’t have asked for a better husband.” He winked at his daughter. “We’ll weather the storm as we always do.”

  Robin was about to object. Surely they didn’t realise what retribution his father might take. Robin wouldn’t be surprised if he evicted them out of spite. But looking at the miller’s kind, wrinkled face, Robin realised he was wrong. Lucy’s parents knew very well what might happen, and they were prepared for the worst. Guilt pricked at him.

  “I’m sorry,” he began. “I’ve brought this upon you and—”

  “Nonsense,” Harry cut in. “I’m proud to have you as a son. Any father worth his salt would be.”

  Robin didn’t know what to say. He had long since given up expecting any praise from his own father, and now to have it from this gruff stranger left him feeling awkward.

  Meg cleared away the bowls, and Lucy went outside to get a bucket of water from the well to wash them. Robin followed her.

  He caught at her arm, swinging her around to face him. Close to, he saw that her eyes were red. Had she been crying?

  “What’s wrong?”

  “How can you ask that? You’ve lost your home.”

  “And gained another one,” Robin pointed out.

  “Oh, Robin, don’t you understand?”

  “Understand what?”

  To his horror, Lucy burst into tears. Robin stared at her in consternation. Were all women this way when they were with child? He pulled her to him, and she sobbed into his shoulder.

  “I’m sorry,” she gulped. “You’ve given up so much, and of course I’m grateful, it’s just, what will we do? How shall we manage? This is all my fault.”

  “We’ll think of something. Whatever happens, we will be together. There is nothing my father can do to stop that.”

  ***

  “He’s done what?”

  Guy stared at his steward, barely able to contain his glee.

  “He’s left home, My Lord. The rumour is that his father wanted him to marry an earl’s daughter, but he refused. He’s taken up with some peasant girl, and he swears he’ll marry no one else. Lord Locksley has disinherited him.”

  Katrina heard these words with horror. As Guy threw his head back and laughed, the steward’s voice resounded in her head.

  Taken up with some peasant girl.

  Swears he’ll marry no one else.

  No, it couldn’t be true. Lucy’s face swam before Katrina’s eyes, mocking her. Hurt and anger boiled inside her until she thought she might burst.

  Guy was wiping tears of mirth from his eyes while his steward stood impassively watching. Their mother also looked amused, but Katrina couldn’t help noticing Bryan’s face. He looked drawn and tired and hadn’t raised his head from his wine cup.

  Guy turned to Katrina, his eyes sparkling with malicious joy. “Well, sister, how does it feel to know you have come second to a miller’s daughter? It seems you must look elsewhere for wedded bliss. I never would have believed it. Robin has always been a high-minded fool, but I never thought he would take things this far. To give up land and title. How romantic,” he sneered.

  Katrina almost mentioned Elias, the groom whom Guy had appointed her personal bodyguard. They had lain together a few times, and Katrina knew he was in love with her. He’d said as much. She loved that she had such power over him, but he had been an amusement, a way to pass the time until Robin came to his senses.

  “This is good for us, my son,” her mother was saying. “Only Lord Locksley now stands between you and your rightful inheritance. Remove him, and once John is king, you will have all you desire.”

  Bryan rose to his feet so abruptly that the bench scraped a little across the floor. The sound set Katrina’s teeth on edge. She watched as, without a backward glance, Bryan strode from the hall.

  “What’s the matter with him?” Guy said.

  Katrina couldn’t resist. “I would say Robin is not the only fool around here. You just announced in front of one of Robin’s oldest friends that you intend to murder his father. What do you think Bryan will do now?”

  She was gratified to see both Guy and her mother looking uneasy.

  “He wouldn’t dare,” Guy said. “He knows what would happen to his mother if he betrayed us.”

  Lady Gisborne shook her head. “My sister is at death’s door. There is nothing that can be done for her. Bryan must know that. He has nothing to lose.”

  “He will lose his life,” Guy snarled. “I will make sure of it.”

  “Then you had better act fast,” Lady Gisborne said. “Before he has a chance to speak to Robin.”

  “There isn’t much Robin could do even if Bryan did go to him,” Guy pointed out.

  Katrina smiled. “You know Robin better than that. Once he hears of our plan, he will do whatever he can to thwart it. He may have no love for his father, but he would not wish him dead.”

  “Perhaps you are right, and since I doubt he will be attending the king’s banquet, I shall have to find another means of removing him. It should not be difficult. As a peasant, he is powerless.” Guy chortled again. “You know, I do not think I will ever get tired of saying that.”

  Katrina left, unable to stand her brother’s company any longer. A corrosive hatred was spreading through her veins like poison. Katrina welcomed it. It drove away the pain. Rage was good. It helped her think, and she needed a plan.

  ***

  “Robin, have you heard a word I’ve said these past five minutes?”

  Robin dragged his attention back to his surroundings with an effort. Will was regarding him across the table, a shrewd look in his eyes.

  “Not having second thoughts, are you?”

  “Of course not,” Robin snapped. It had been two weeks since he’d left his father’s house, and already his life had fallen into a routine. The days were spent working in the mill alongside Harry and his two nephews, his evenings at the tavern with Will.

  Robin didn’t regret leaving. This simple life appealed to him, and he grew fonder of his adopted family every day, but his father’s words still echoed in his head from time to time.

  You were a disappointment since the day you were born.

  Robin wished he could forget them, shrug the words off like an unwanted piece of clothing.

  Alan was in his usual corner, though for once, he wasn’t playing his lute. Jane had finally given up flirting with Robin and had switched her attention to Alan, who was making the most of this bi
t of good fortune. As Robin watched, Alan leaned in to kiss Jane, but she turned her head with a giggle, and his lips brushed her cheek instead, just as her father emerged from a back room. He threw the pair a black look, but said nothing.

  Well, at least someone was happy.

  As though he’d guessed what Robin was thinking, Will said, “How is Lucy?”

  “She spends most of the day crying.”

  “She probably blames herself for you leaving home.”

  “Locksley Manor was never home.”

  “She doesn’t know that.”

  “I’ve told her often enough.” Robin tried and failed to keep the bitterness out of his voice. He had given up everything for Lucy. It might be nice if she acted even a little glad to see him. He said none of this aloud, however. His pride wouldn’t let him say anything to Will, of all people. It would be as good as admitting Will had been right that day in the stables.

  Robin’s conscience gnawed at him. He was no great drinker. If he was being honest with himself, he only came to the tavern to avoid Lucy. She was so unhappy, and he didn’t know how to comfort her. He hoped it was a phase she was going through.

  “At least your new master isn’t trying to marry you off to his daughter,” Will grumbled.

  Robin’s hand clenched around his mug. It was an effort to speak casually. “She’s a comely enough lass. You could do worse.”

  Will grimaced. “She also has two sisters and a cousin, all vying for my attention. It’s exhausting.”

  “Several pretty girls competing for your notice. My heart bleeds for you.”

  As always, Will displayed no interest whatsoever. Half the girls in Locksley cast Will dreamy looks, and he never even noticed. Does that mean…? Robin stopped the thought in its tracks. It didn’t matter what it meant.

  Someone jostled the table, hard enough to cause Robin’s ale to spill. He cursed and righted the mug before he lost all of it, but a puddle of liquid spread across the boards. Robin looked up to see Edgar glowering down at him. The steward was, as usual, drunk, and spoiling for a fight.

  “Not so high and mighty now, are you, My Lord?” he slurred.