Robin's Hood: A Tale of Sherwood Forest (HighTower Robin Hood Book 1) by Jacque Stevens

Author:Jacque Stevens [Stevens, Jacque]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: sjacquebooks
Published: 2021-07-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Gisborne persuaded me to ride with him the next day, but he could not persuade me to talk. We went all over Nottinghamshire and some of the forest trails before he steered us toward home, looking defeated under his darkened brow. “You are so quiet, Marian.”

Looking back, I still don’t know what he expected. Even with Rob, I didn’t talk much while riding. We rode and dared each other to ride faster. Harder. Find a new jump to try or a new target for my bow. We had Gale. We had Lady-Dog. But we rode until we left Rob’s father and my ladylike tutors far behind. We rode until it seemed we could fly, forever free.

Riding with Gisborne was not like flying. He rode a gelding who was duller than any of our mares and led us on well-known paths in a joyless procession. His men stopped him every so often with the latest reports of the taxes collected, the punishments given. I still tried to listen for something I could use as Robin Hood, some new target to strike, but all the talk had moved from last night’s feast to the coming of a wealthy bishop.

Robin Hood wouldn’t steal from a bishop. My wings had been clipped like a caged bird, and now Gisborne wanted me to sing for his pleasure.

I would not. “I have a lot on my mind, my lord.”

“Yes, and it is my hope that you will share a part of it with me.”

I did not want him to know any part of my mind. My mind only wanted to be rid of him. Could I arrange for some outlaws to come and kidnap me? They could charge the sheriff and Gisborne a ransom of grain that we could distribute to more villagers. Or, mayhap, the sheriff and Gisborne would refuse to pay, and I would be free to run with the outlaws for the rest of my days.

Either prospect sounded appealing at the moment. Anything to help with Robin Hood’s cause against the sheriff. And that thought led me to another idea. I still didn’t want to talk to Gisborne, but if I had to say something, I would learn his mind instead.

“You are a thief-taker. What men have you caught? How do you catch them?”

I expected he might balk at the question, but he answered me at once. “I learn them, of course. I have made myself a student of human behavior.”

“Simply a student? Are you not a master, then?”

“I would never claim to be.”

I suppose some might have praised him for his humility and candor. Some might even appreciate the effort he made to know his bride. But I didn’t.

I only thought about Robin Hood and riding free.

We passed into the stables as I formed my next question. “And how does a student of human behavior catch a criminal? How will you catch Robin Hood?”

“By knowing where he will strike next and how. Being there to stop him.”

I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at that one.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.