Romancing Robin Hood by Jenny Kane

Author:Jenny Kane
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Accent Press

Chapter Twenty-two

Mathilda swallowed the bile that swam at the base of her throat as she was stood before the long table in the main hall, at which sat all the Folville brothers, including the previously absent John.

There was no doubt that the pecking order had changed now that the older brother was in residence. Eustace’s disgruntled expression said as much, even without the corroborating evidence of the uneasy atmosphere and the generally hostile body language. Mathilda, wasn’t sure if this was being directed towards her, or if it was a show of bravado from the younger brothers to the head of their household, which was a position only achieved by accident of birth.

Mathilda had other things to worry about though. Like staying upright, not swaying, or showing any weakness in front of the assembled men.

‘My brothers have informed me of the reason for your presence in my home.’ John was even less pleased with this than he sounded, and as his tone was so sharp Mathilda could almost feel it cutting into her. ‘I would be obliged if you would prove to me that the risks taken in sending out a hostage to relay a vital message have been worthwhile. Frankly, I was surprised you returned.’

Mathilda was vaguely aware of Robert staring at her. The expression of displeasure on his face made John’s evident annoyance seem insignificant, and made her wonder why she hadn’t run away as well.

‘So,’ John tapped his dagger on the table impatiently, and Mathilda noticed that it was almost identical to the one she had hidden beneath her tunic, but for the colour of the stone, ‘the message from the Coterels? I assume you got it?’ ‘I did, my Lord. I spoke to Nicholas Coterel as instructed.’ Mathilda clenched her toes inside her boots, and concentrated on not letting her eyes swim out of focus.

‘And? Come on, girl, what was the response?’

‘He said, “The message is well received. Three days. Midnight.”’ The glow of the fire behind the table was making Mathilda’s eye’s water, and now her mission was fully complete, and the message delivered, she could feel her body shutting down, as if it was refusing to take the instructions from her brain telling her to stay on her feet. Luckily, an arm came to her elbow however, before the ground had the chance to reclaim her.

‘Forgive the interruption, my Lords,’ Sarah bowed with her usual sharp respect, ‘but if you have finished with this girl, I require help in the kitchen.’

Without giving the household time to respond, Sarah steered Mathilda to the side of the hall behind the servants’ dividing tapestry, and sat her onto the straw cot she’d been allowed to rest on before.

Frowning with confused gratitude, Mathilda opened her mouth to say thank you, when the housekeeper put a finger to her lips, and spoke in a guarded whisper, ‘Nothing you can say to them tonight will please them. When was the last time you ate?’

‘But …’

Sarah shook her head sharply, and

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