“What, and show them how Prince John has repaid Winchester for his aid? No one will help us then.”

“Really?” she said. “They don’t have wives and daughters? People they wish to protect? People they love?”

I frowned.

“Whether it makes them bold or not, the other nobles need to see that Prince John is acting out against their way of life. And besides, if you’re in London you can protect the silver we’re sending down there.”

“No,” I told her. “I can’t leave Nottingham. Not when Prince John has already proven he can strike within these walls.”

“But that’s it exactly—he can strike within these walls. He can strike you anywhere. If you’re only concerned with your corporeal body, you will lose. The battle you are fighting now, Marian, is not one of physicality. Your knights can stay here and protect your shire, but you need to wage a much more subtle war, of diplomacy and shifting loyalty. Go to court, and perhaps you can stop him, once and for all.”

“Please,” Margaret said, squeezing my hands. “Please come with me. If you’re there—I’ll feel so much better if you’re there.”

Frowning fast at Eleanor, I looked to Margaret and nodded. “Very well. I’ll go with you. I won’t let you go alone.”

The door opened behind us, and Rob stepped inside. Winchester followed him, crossing his arms again.

I stood, turning to them, and Margaret wiped her face. “I’ll go with Margaret to London, Winchester. I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen.”

He nodded. “I’m coming with you,” he said. “If your father is headed for London, I’ll meet him there. And you can be damn sure I won’t let this marriage happen,” he promised, looking at Margaret.

Rob were looking at me, and I met his gaze. “Maybe you should stay here,” I told him.

His mouth tilted up, and he chuckled. “Not a chance, Scar,” he told me, and it sounded the same as when he said he loved me.

I nodded. “We’ll leave for London as soon as Nottingham is sorted.”

We stayed in Nottingham for another week. For the time, we arranged for people whose houses had burned to live in the castle and with families in Edwinstowe. Most of our people were farmers, and the spring were a busy time they couldn’t afford to miss. Some knights were sent to help, and several others stayed behind to start rebuilding the homes in Nottingham.

I weren’t keen to leave Nottingham. It felt like we were finally home, and more than that, home in a way we could defend and protect. We had built up our walls and turned back our enemy, and now we were leaving to ask for more.

Or so it seemed. God knew it were hard to look at Bess and Maryanne and not remember why Prince John had to be stopped and King Richard had to return safe.

Despite any worries or fears, we prepared the carriage, full of nothing but riches, and I stood in the courtyard with Rob, Winchester, Allan, David, and Margaret as people gathered to see us off. Much and Bess were there, and she let me hold the baby, like my touch might bless the girl.

“I hope you’ll hurry back,” Bess told me. “Things won’t be the same until you return.”

A shiver ran down my neck. “No. And if there’s any sign of trouble—”

“We’ll hide. In the forest. Much will take care of everything, I’m sure.”

She looked at him then, drawing in her breath, and I saw something different in her eyes. Bess loved John, that were true, but looking at her then, I didn’t think Much’s heart were in poor keeping.

“He will,” I agreed. “But I knew that already, and Rob agreed with me.”

She looked confused. “What do you mean?”

I nodded toward Rob, and waved Maryanne’s little arm at Much.

“My dear people,” Rob said, standing on the step of the carriage. “Some of you are aware, as the new earl, I can no longer be your sheriff.”

A murmur ran through the crowd, and Much, standing beside him, frowned.

“But Scarlet and I must go to court, and we want to ensure your safety and your protection while we are gone.” He nodded to me.

I kissed Maryanne’s cheek. “You could say Rob and I know something about what it takes to protect this shire,” I said with a smile, and people chuckled. “So there was only one person we could appoint as sheriff, if he’ll take the position.”

Much looked at me, then looked round.

“Much Miller,” Rob said, beaming with a wide grin, “will you be the Sheriff of Nottingham?”

His throat bobbed, his mouth slack and open.

Bess laughed, going beside him and kissing his cheek shy. “Say yes, Much.”

He looked at her, his eyes full of wonder. “Yes,” he said to her.

Rob grinned. “Repeat this oath, Much,” he told him.

Much kept looking at Bess as Robin said the words, like he were saying his wedding vows over again.

“By the Lord, I will to King Richard and the Office of Sheriff be faithful and true, and love all that He loves, and shun all that He shuns, according to God’s law, and according to the world’s principles, and never, by will nor by force, by word nor by work, do aught of what is loathful to Him; on condition that He keep me as I am willing to deserve when I to Him submitted and chose His will.”

Much repeated it, and he drew a deep breath and kissed Bess. Her shoulders raised for a moment, but then her arms went round him and the people cheered.