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“It’s totally different,” Willa insisted. “Because I’ll have help. You.”
“Not enough,” John stressed.
Tuck shushed them, pointing to the front door. “Quiet, now. Lady Thornton didn’t enlist me to spy, but she might have found someone else.”
Willa motioned for everyone to huddle, then whispered, “I could stay and pretend to be Marian, while she heads out and rallies the resistance.”
“You don’t look anything like her,” Tuck said. “And you’re much smaller.”
John and I both backed out of striking range, knowing how Willa was likely to react.
“I’m not small!”
Tuck fluttered his hands. “Of course not. It’s just that she’s big.”
“Big?” I bristled. “In what way?”
Tuck looked at John for help, but the bear shifter gave him a look that said, You’re on your own against these two.
“I meant… Forget it. What I’m trying to say is, they won’t buy it.”
I wasn’t totally sold on the idea either, but it did have some merit. “Father Benedict is the only one who’s ever entered — besides Tuck.”
Tuck made a face. “You never know. Cyril might come wandering in here looking for more art.” At Willa’s quizzical look, he explained, “Another monk. Great singer, dirty-minded artist. He keeps hoping to start a choir here. We prefer art lessons…not that the abbot has approved either.”
Willa shrugged. “It doesn’t matter who enters. I could stay on the couch under a blanket, hiding behind Marian’s needlepoint.” Her eyes flashed. “And if someone discovers our switch, I’ll skewer them with the needle.”
“I’ll kill them first,” John growled.
And just like that, we had the makings of a plan. One even crazier than before, but heck. It could work. There was just one thing…
“I hate putting you in danger again.” I touched Willa’s arm. “After delivering the treasure, I mean.”
She grinned at me, then John. “Well, that worked out well, don’t you think?”
Funny how a big, fierce man could go all dopey at just a few words.
“It did,” he whispered. “It certainly did.”
Willa gazed at her mate a moment longer. “The best things in life happen when you least expect them.”
“True,” Tuck granted. “But I’m not sure that’s the best motto to head into battle with. Because that’s what this will be. Us against Prince John — and probably Lady Thornton. The only question is, are the two of them working together or against each other?”
I made a face. “Knowing her, she’ll join forces while it’s convenient, then strike when the prince’s back is turned.”
Everyone froze — even me.
“Wait. Could that really be her plan?” I whispered.
Tuck jutted his jaw. “It makes sense — from her point of view. She’s jealous of you…”
I made a face. She could join a whole club of jealous women. If only they walked a day in my shoes…
“And she’s power hungry,” he finished.
John nodded thoughtfully. “They say she killed off two husbands already. Maybe she’s angling for a third.”
Willa frowned. “What do you mean?”
