“I’ve left three of my men to watch their camp for when the others return,” Will replied. “But if you will release me, I’ll be off to begin the search anew.” He looked down at her hand on his arm as if it were a particularly ugly spider.
Just as she released him, a shout from the bailey entrance drew her attention. Will pulled away, heading toward the sound of the turmoil. Marian followed, watching his tall figure navigate quickly through the crush of hounds, rushing men-at-arms, busy serfs, and playing children.
By the time she reached the cluster of people, she understood that Alys had returned, presumably uninjured, and on foot. When she caught sight of Marian, her friend pushed away from Will and the other men-at-arms who’d met her at the gate.
“I am unhurt,” she said in a tone that implied it wasn’t the first time she’d made such a statement and that she was weary of doing so. “My horse threw a shoe and I was a bit lost in the wood until I found my way back. Now, there is Lady Marian. I am certain she will see that I’m taken safely to the chamber where I can change my clothing.”
Marian needed no further suggestion. She moved forward and linked arms with Alys, drawing her away toward the keep.
After ensuring that her friend was indeed unscathed from her experience wandering about in the forest, Marian left Alys to the other ladies. She walked back out into the bailey, glad to find herself out of the smoky, dark keep.
The herb garden was large enough to offer wandering paths that would keep her occupied for a time. She brushed past the silvery sage and lavender leaves, the brilliant orange calendula growing in low clusters, the dark blue green woad, basil, thyme, and others. As her feet wandered, so did her mind, and Marian couldn’t help but feel apprehensive about the night ahead. Would John invite her and Will to his chambers again? What would happen this night?
Though the sun burned warm, Marian shivered, remembering the knowing lift of Will’s hands at her breasts, the feel of his mouth on the tender skin of her neck. That tingling, unsettled feeling returned to her stomach and she drew in deep breaths scented with rosemary and lily.
She knew, understood, that it was only a matter of time before Will coupled with her. And though ’twas Robin who’d made her tremble and sigh earlier today, Robin whose smile she saw when she closed her eyes, Robin who risked his life to do what was right for the people of Nottinghamshire. . she also felt a deep tug in her belly when she thought of Will touching her, kissing her, settling his big body over hers.
Her mouth was dry; her heart pounded steadily. Her cheeks felt warm.
But she must remember she was here with a duty to the queen. Mayhap tonight she would find the chance to look about John’s chambers and discover evidence of treason he planned against his brother. The last thing the prince would expect was a woman who not only could read but also would be looking for something.
If indeed John was plotting with the French king, Philip Augustus, to overthrow Richard, there must be some planning, and some negotiation. Philip wouldn’t assist John without some compensation. Eleanor claimed he would require the return of all of Normandy, leaving John only England to rule. But now that Richard had wed and could produce an heir, the chances of John ascending to the throne without a bit of help were less than before.
Thrusting those thoughts aside-there would be time enough to deal with any suspicious evidence later-Marian left the herb garden and made her way back into the keep. She would be expected at the evening meal, and much as she would prefer to remain closed up in her chamber, hiding would get her no closer to learning whether John was indeed planning a threat to his brother’s throne. She must be out and about, listening and speaking to the barons and lords-the ones John trusted and the ones who hated him and loved his brother. And if that included visiting his private chambers and overhearing pertinent conversations with Will, or anyone else, then that was what she must do. Even if it meant submitting as she’d done to Harold.
Once back to her chamber, Marian ordered Ethelberga to arrange for her bath. As she watched the serfs carry in bucket after bucket of steaming water, slopping their contents into the generous tub that had been rolled in on its side, she glanced briefly at the horse-eye peephole. The garderobe door had been open when she returned to her chamber, but someone could be in there now.
Or not.
’Twas unlikely that the prince would be spying on her during the midafternoon. Not that he would be praying at Nones-John didn’t strike her as a particularly devout man-but he was likely holding court.
Thus appeased, Marian dismissed the serfs, who left several buckets of clean water for rinsing, and allowed Ethelberga to disrobe her. Sinking into the steaming water, on which floated crushed violets, gillyflowers, and lavender, Marian rested her head back against the edge and allowed herself to relax. And to think about how she might direct a conversation to get her the information she wanted.
Ethelberga might be skittish when it came to being stopped by highwaymen, and have a poor sense of direction when in a new building, but she had magic fingers. The tight, heavy braids uncoiled from Marian’s hair left her scalp loose and relieved, and Ethelberga’s strong fingers massaged and scrubbed until her mistress groaned with pleasure.
The length and weight of Marian’s unusually colored hair was such that the maid had kept a smaller tub nearby, also filled with warm violet water, so that she could more easily wash the long tresses in their own water.
By the time Ethelberga had finished soaping her hair and rinsing it with the extra buckets, Marian had decided that Lord Burle would be a worthy candidate to pretend to flirt with. She might loosen his tongue and learn whether he was still loyal to the king or lining up behind John.
Just as Marian had settled this plan in her mind, there was a loud knock on the door of her chamber. Ethelberga squeaked in surprise and Marian sat upright in the tub.
“See you who is there, but close the inner door so that I cannot be seen,” she ordered. “Tell whoever it is I will attend them in a moment.”
Ethelberga did as she was told, hurrying from the room and closing the door behind her. Marian sat in the rapidly cooling water, straining to hear what was happening beyond. She didn’t have long to wait.
The inner door opened suddenly and Will was there. “Leave us,” he commanded over his shoulder to Ethelberga, who lurked behind him. Her eyes were wide and frightened in a pale face.
Marian smothered a gasp and sank to her collarbones under the water, which thankfully was murky with the herbal additives as well as the soap she’d used. “Will, I beg you give me a moment to finish my bath,” she managed to say in a steady voice. As if men burst in upon her bedchamber while she bathed every day. “And then I will-”
“Leave,” he ordered, turning back to look at Ethelberga, who appeared as if she might collapse. “I’ll not say it again.”
The maid’s mouth was a large round O, and she looked apologetically at her mistress, fright casting a shadow over her face, before she whirled and dashed out the door. Marian didn’t blame the girl; if she had been confronted with the wild, black-haired, dark-visaged man who now stood in her chamber, she would have run too.
Apparently, that was not a luxury she would be afforded.
“Will,” she said, keeping her voice steady with an effort. “What has befallen-”
“Be silent,” he said in a strained voice. He was looking toward her, but he wasn’t looking at her.
He came fully into the chamber and closed the door behind him. Bolted it. And when he turned to face her, Marian felt as though her insides had been turned inside out, and back and inside out again. A face that had always been harsh and cold now wore an expression of. . nothing. As if it were made of stone or wood. Unmoving and set.