Emeline: A Gisborne Tale

Chapter Ten

The well-worn road back to Locksley was wet and thick with mud as the rains had come while Guy had been in the Abbey. However, he ran his horse at full speed. All he wanted was to be home as quickly as he could get there. The information he had found was burning in his soul and he could not stand having this knowledge without being able to speak to someone close to him about it.

Guy was thinking about how he would tell Rose what he had found out when he was accosted by many men on horseback. They rode past him on either side, heading him off so that he was forced to slow and then stop completely. Looking around him he could see the green standard with the black double ravens worn by the soldiers on every man's breast.

"What do you want?", he barked as he turned his horse round and round inside the circle of mounted men.

"Get down from your horse." the leader of the soldiers ordered Guy as he unsheathed his sword and pointed it towards Guy's chest. There was nothing to be done but for Guy to dismount and face his, what he thought to be, executioners.

"What have I done to earn your wrath?", Guy rasped, glaring at the man with the sword.

The soldier removed his helmet and gave Guy a scathing look. "It's not what you've done.", he snarled, his face menacingly close to Guy's face. "It's Who. You. Are." He enunciated each word slowly.

Guy smirked, then slammed his forehead into the other man's nose, sending the man reeling backward. Two of the other soldiers grabbed Guy by both arms as the leader regained his balance and put the edge of his sword to Guy's throat.

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When Nicholas Darlton took Emeline's hands and kissed them, she was at a loss for words. However, she was not at a loss for action. She snatched her hands away quickly and ran to the other side of the room.

"Conrad!" she cried. "Don't do this!"

Her cousin strode over to her and took her in his arms. He whispered in her ear, "Emeline, we still have plenty of time. Please try not to be rash. Don't say no just yet." He let her go.

Emeline stepped away from Conrad and took a deep breath. "Yes.", she thought. "There was plenty of time." She still had the feast to put on, and the Queen Mother was to stay for some time, and Guy was ordered to have more than one dinner for her. That would mean that Emeline would have plenty of work to do. And a wedding takes a long time to plan. Especially for a nobleman such as Nicholas Darlton.

She collected herself and slowly padded back to Nicholas, bowing her head slightly. "Forgive me, my lord. This is all so sudden. You must give me time and, once I am sure of my feelings, I think all will work out well. Now if you will excuse me, I must get back to Locksley Manor for I have much more preparations to make for the Queen's feast tomorrow night."

Emeline turned to go but Nicholas stopped her with his words.

"Ah, yes. The grand feast Sir Guy is hosting. I’ll see you there," he said, a sly smile curling at the corners of his lips. "The prince has graciously invited my sister and me. Perhaps you might spare me a moment to get to know you better?" He arched a dark brow at her, a playful glint in his eye. All she could manage was a slight nod. With a resigned sigh, Emeline picked up her cloak and stepped through the door, leaving Conrad to exchange his farewells.

A footman assisted Emeline into the carriage, the plush interior welcoming her with its warmth. Moments later, Conrad joined her, settling beside her with an air of expectation. He reached for her hand, but she instinctively pulled it away, creating a chasm of silence between them. They journeyed back to Locksley, the carriage rolling over the cobblestones, the only sound the rhythmic clatter of wheels against stone.