Love and secrets

Chapter 11

     I woke early the next morning, cleaned and fully refreshed. I hurried down to the kitchen to help Marmaduke with breakfast. I hummed happily, trying to forget that today was the biggest, most important day of my life. "You look quite relaxed. I thought you would be more nervous than you are!" he said with a smile. "I am!" I answered, "This is my last shot! I have the directions on what to do when I find the amulet, I know what the hiding place looks like, but I haven't the slightest idea of where it is!" "What is the hiding spot?" he asked. "It's in an oak tree somewhere in the woods." "Well, that shouldn't take more than a couple of years to find!" Marmaduke said jesting. I gave him a half-hearted laugh. "Unfortunately I don't have years, I have hours! I don't know the woods, I clearly got lost last night and I have armed men out there whose only aim is to kill me!" I sighed unable to contain the panic in my voice. "Hmmm," Marmaduke said eyeing me. "I think I know someone who can help you. He knows the woods like the back of his hand, he has walked them his whole life. Someone who has it is his blood." "You mean Robin? Impossible! He threatened me last time I saw him! There is no way he would help me, and there is no way I would ask for his help!" I said with bitterness. "Ahh yes. Well he may not be as stubborn as you think. When he is with Maria he is as gentle as a gentleman. He at one time wanted to kill her too." He informed me. I looked at Marmaduke and said, "Make me a big breakfast, I will be out the rest of the day." "Where are you going?" he asked. I paused and looked at him, considering. "The De Noirs. It's my last shot" And ran down the stairs.

I decided I would have to trap Robin to enlist his help but I wasn't sure how to go about doing that or how to convince him to change sides. Marmaduke said it had been done before but what about again? I had no idea what kind of relationship Robin had with Maria. Friendship, kind of friends since Loveday was his sister, (which I found really hard to believe since they were polar opposites) or boyfriend and girlfriend. I felt jealousy bubble up in me. But why should I feel like that? Hadn't he tried to kill me? Hadn't he threatened me? Hadn't I made a complete fool of myself crying in front of him? Hadn't I just told him anyone would have to be stupid to like him? And here I was liking him! For like the ninth time that week I forced down those feelings and concentrated on what I had to do. I finally came up with a plan. I messed up my hair and dress, and sprawled out on the ground like I was knocked unconscious, while cleverly concealing my knife. I knew I was taking a chance since any one of the De Noirs could find me but time was running out and I was desperate. I settled down to wait.