"Sir Guy's Dilemma" (Book 2), by Gratiana Lovelace, 2012-2013

"Sir Guy's Dilemma", Ch. 15--Good Intentions and Differently Directed Desires

“Sir Guy’s Dilemma”,  Ch. 15--Good Intentions and Differently Directed Desires  1/25/13Gratiana Lovelace

(An Original Fan Fiction adaptation of the characters from the BBC’s Robin Hood;  & a Sequel to “Guy’s Rose” by Gratiana Lovelace)

(All Rights Reserved; No copyright infringement intended)

[From time to time, I will illustrate my story with my dream cast of:  Richard Armitage as Sir Guy, Clive Standen as Lord Archer, Emma Watson as Lady Rose, etc.]

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Author’s Mature Content Note:  “Sir Guy’s Dilemma” is a story of romance and intrigue set amidst Medieval times.  As such there will be some passages in this story involving heartfelt love scenes (R rated) and some passages involving highly dramatic moments.  I will label the maturity rating of those chapters accordingly.  Otherwise, the general rating for this story is PG or PG-13 due to some mature situations and topics.  If you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with the ratings that I provide, then please do not read the chapters with those labels.  This is my disclaimer.

Author’s Recap from the previous installment:  Sir Guy informs Lord George about the estates management to date under Sir Guy’s leadership, then gives him a tour of the estate.  Lord George is less than enthusiastic about being a land owner versus being a soldier and characteristically insults Sir Guy by not conveying his appreciation and thanks.  Sir Guy steels himself for the inevitable and decides to absent himself for a while and  travels with his brother Lord Archer to Nottingham to oversee it’s rebuilding.  Lady Saline is peeved that Lord Archer didn’t even say good bye to her--though she can not reveal that is the focus of her distress.  And  Lady Roseanna let her brother Lord George know her displeasure with his arrogance in not appreciating her husband after Sir Guy had left.  Sir Guy’s first thought upon arriving at Nottingham is to seek Brother Tuck’s guidance on how to make amends to the people individually--and as a whole secretly, by rebuilding the church with his own funds.  Not at Nottingham 24 hours and Sir Guy is attacked in his sleep by outlaw Kate--whose brother Matthew Sir Guy had killed capriciously--by her trying to cut his throat.  But Sir Guy was saved from Kate’s deadly blade by Lord Archer, after Brother Tuck’s pleadings distracted her from her purpose.

“Sir Guy’s Dilemma”,  Ch. 15--Good Intentions and Differently Directed Desires

The first week of Sir Guy’s and Lord Archer’s absence from Middleton Manor, Lord George tries mightily to court Lady Saline--failing at every turn and ultimately being consoled by Lady Mary.  It is Wednesday just after the midday meal on the terrace--Lady Roseanna has returned to her bedchamber to nurse baby Lady Helen and to lay Seth down for his nap while Lord and Lady Havorford also go inside--and tensions between Lady Saline and Lord George have not improved.

Lord George:  Acting on his fellow Lords’ wooing suggestions of the other day, Lord George tries once more to court his betrothed.  “My Lady Saline, it is quite fine out today.  Would you do me the honor of taking a turn about the flower gardens with me?”  He asks pleasantly, but dreading her usual declining response.  And he is not disappointed--that is, he guesses correctly.

Lady Saline:  “Thank you, but no.”  George can be so trying, she thinks disdainfully of his lame request.  Lady Saline [(2) right]  does not offer him further explanation for her refusal--which perturbs Lord George.

Lord George:  “As you wish, Milady.”  He bows politely but stiffly.  Lord George has grown weary of Lady Saline’s rebuffing him.  The joy that he is supposed to feel with his betrothed diminishes each day. Then he turns brusquely and strides off in the direction of the flower garden.