Page 44 of An Earl for the Archeress

“I can demand quarters when I require it.” Nottingham fumed.

“Hmm,” Robert said. “Does the church authorize you to demand rights to another man’s wife?”

Nottingham scoffed, attempting to stagger to his feet. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, you coward. So cowardly that you must hide behind that hood of green to bedevil me and steal my coin!”

“I shall donate it to a charity of your choice,” Robert said, shoving the sheriff to the ground beneath his boot, “since you seem incapable of remembering the lesson I try to teach you: no harming innocents.”

A horse, stomping, tried to bolt, sending the other horses into a frenzy. Will appeared from the trees, as did Alan, who both took hold of a bridle to steady the beasts and keep them from noosing the soldiers in their attempts to flee. One by one, John dragged a floundering soldier down, lashing their wrists behind their backs with the ropes intended for their “boar hunt.”

Once each man was dealt with, Robert laughed his cheerful laugh. “Ah, no charity to suggest? Might it be that you know not even one name?”

“One of these days, I’ll learn who you are, and you will rue that day.” Nottingham growled as John tossed Robert a section of rope to bind the sheriff.

“I sincerely doubt it.” Robert laughed. “Disarm them!” he called to the others. With the horses settled, Will and Alan made rounds, pulling free daggers and sword belts, tossing them into the underbrush. “And now, my good men, it’s been a pleasure.” Robert bowed. “And please, do pass along our regards to the Sheriff of Ayr. I hear he’s in residence at Nottingham. Good day, and my thanks for your generosity!”

Robert gave the purse one more jingle in front of Wendenal’s face, earning a scowl. Nottingham spit on his boots, though Robert ignored it. David also emerged from the trees and took the flat of a sword blade to the now-disentangled horses, sending them scattering into the trees.

“Generous pouches of meat at their flanks indeed. A good quality in a pig I should say,” John said, garnering a round of chuckles from Robert’s men. Even Mariel couldn’t resist a smile as she watched. “I should say the beggars at the almshouse will eat heartily soon enough with such an abundance of fat!”

She remained frozen, watching the men squirming face-down on the ground. So focused was she on not moving, she jumped when she felt a hand upon her shoulder.

Robert was behind her, a finger across his lips. He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the hidden supplies on the other side of the rising terrain. Arrow and bow still in hand, she jogged after him, trying to keep up and yet, pad quietly. They descended over the rise back to the tall tree with the vine. The other men were nowhere to be seen. Robert ripped off his hood, dragging hers over her head, too, and jammed them back under the camouflaged mesh of twigs.

He grabbed her hand again and whipped her around to continue jogging through the trees. He didn’t stop and didn’t let go of her. They ran onward. Mariel’s lungs burned. She was sweating. Finally, they reached the horses. And no sooner were they untethering their reins, did John, Will, and Alan emerge through the trees from other directions.

“Where’s David?” Mariel whispered, swinging into the saddle and turning her mount to follow Goliath through the dense trunks.

As soon as they all hit the main path, Robert kicked his mount. “Remaining behind to ensure we’re not followed. And so now,” he said, an exhilarated smile capturing his face, “what’s this I hear about a boar hunt?”

“What?” Mariel exclaimed. He flashed her a wink.

“You did well, Elmer, back there,” Robert complimented, giving her elbow a squeeze.

“Yes, she did,” John also complimented, riding up alongside her. “Fairly decent, for a woman.”

She rounded on him, her frown piercing him.

“I only jest,” John said, chuckling.

“Well then, I thank thee for the compliment, Little John,” she replied.

John groaned and tipped his eyes heavenward, his voice darkening. “Bollocks to you, Robert, for ever saying such.”

“What?” She shrugged, her lips curling up as laughter rolled from the others’ throats. “I only jest.”

He scowled at her, then at Robert.

“She fits in well, Robert.” Will grinned, and Robert also laughed.

“You two,” Robert directed Alan and Will. “Return to Huntington and tell the kitchens to prepare for a massive pig to be delivered this afternoon for supper, then find us in the thickets south of Huntington proper with a cart.”

“Now you jest.” Mariel rolled her eyes. “We’ve spent half the day in the saddle as it is and you already used your rope. And, as you well know, they’re rare. You could spend a fortnight in the saddle and not find one.”

“I assure you, my dear Elmer,” Robert said. “I am not a liar. If I told my people I was going on a hunt, then a-hunting I will go.”

“You can’t just promise something like that. You don’t even know if you’ll find such a boar.”

He grinned. “I keep a wild herd in my woods, imported from France. I assure you, I know where to find a mean one.”