AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The prince opened his mouth, but the king silenced him with a few words.
“Or feeling less charitable. Your gamble.”
The prince sagged, and I growled under my breath as the soldiers led him away.
Next time we meet, I promised, you will die.
A soft clap sounded as he was dragged toward the dungeon. Then another and another, much like the patter of rain. As more and more people joined in, the applause became a deluge, making it clear how the people felt about Prince John.
At one firm look from the king, however, the applause died.
“And who is this?” He glared at me.
Marian pulled me to my feet and patted my chest. “This is Tuck.”
I loved how she sang my name and held me close, but clearly, the king didn’t approve.
“Friar Tuck,” she added, as if that would help.
The king laughed. “Friar? This man is no more a friar than I am the trumpeter’s mother.” Then he turned to a man near the rear of his train. “No offense, Basil.”
“None taken, sir.” The man saluted, making the flag on his trumpet wave.
The king went back to glaring at me. Nothing I took personally since he seemed to glare at everyone except Marian. Still, my knees wobbled, and my inner lion quietly tucked in its tail.
He hmpfed, then steered his horse toward Bess. “Are you all right, madam?”
Bess barely glanced his way. She was too busy gazing into Robert’s eyes. Apparently, the feeling was mutual, because Robert stared back, equally tongue-tied.
“He saved me,” Bess breathed.
Robert smiled. She smiled. Their hands were clasped, their cheeks flushed. Clearly, those two were in their own world, even with the children gathered around them.
“Indeed,” the king murmured, hiding a smile that suggested he was finally amused.
Marian towed me along as she introduced the others.
“This is my friend Willa, and her partner, John Little…”
Both bowed deeply.
The king nodded, gliding past on his horse.
“You remember Lady Thornton,” Marian murmured darkly at the body slumped on the stairs.
The king didn’t give her a second glance. “I try to forget.”
“And this, I believe, is Nottingham’s sheriff, and Robynne Hood.” Marian grinned at them both, then whispered to Robynne, “Good to finally meet you.”
Robynne smiled back. “Good to meet you.” Then she hastened into a curtsy.
Daniel, now in human form and robed, bowed deeply to the king. “Daniel Cook, sir. Acting sheriff.”
The king snorted. “If that was acting, I fear to witness the real thing.”
Your average man might preen and strut, but Daniel barely nodded. A class act in every way.
When Robynne reached into her boot and produced a knife, three of the king’s men leaped forward, and the crowd gasped. But the king threw up a hand, letting Robynne speak.
