I rode my way to Bonchurch Lodge. Outside I could hear pipes playing and voices chatting merrily, I could see that Much was feeding the poor like Robin had done at Locksley when he returned home. A small smile escaped on my lips as a stable boy collected my horse. Dismounting I made my way towards the house, I was tired, I hadn't seen my father all day, I was still upset with what had happened with Lambert.

When I walked inside I saw Much and the servant girl Eve smiling at each other as I walked over to them. Much was slightly surprised to see me as Eve gave me a quick curtsy dropping her gaze to the floor, before she left us be.

"Lady Esme." Much smiled as I nodded to him.

"I should like to speak with you in private, Lord Much." My voice was emotionless and I knew that Much noticed as he frowned slightly.

"Of course." He told me as Much heads for the door. Before following him, I quickly looked around for Eve, but I couldn't see her amid the peasants. I sighed and followed Much into his stables as I began telling him the plan as we made sure to keep our voices in nothing but a whisper.

"Look, we need you to tell the girl that the ledger is in the third barrel of black powder." I whispered.

"But that’s not true. Robin has the ledger. He told me himself." Much defended as I raised an eyebrow.

"What is the problem?"

"I will not lie to Eve. I cannot." Much grumbled as I was ready to slap him.

"Oh, of course, you are fooled by her. She has to be nice to you. She is paid for it. Grow up." I snapped annoyed. How could Much fall for her he must have known she is working for the Sheriff it is as clear as water.

"If she passes on wrong information to the Sheriff, then he will punish her." Much informed me worried for her but right not I didn't care.

"If she’s working for the Sheriff, then she deserves no less. A good man has already died over this." I told him bitterly as I noticed movement and glance at the door, but sees nothing. Eve she must have been listening in.

"Just do as Robin says and tell the girl" I whispered before I mounted my horse and made my way home. My father wasn't improving; I had nothing to eat that night for I wasn't hungry. I was told he had been asking for me all day and that Guy had come to visit me as well. I kissed my father's head before I went to bed. I glanced at myself in the mirror, watching the glistening ring on my finger. Furious I slipped it off and placed it on my bedside table. I blew out my candle as I fell into a deep sleep.

When I woke the next morning I washed and got dressed in a forest green riding dress. I let Anne braid my hair, my eye stuck on the betrothal ring, I didn't put it on my finger, I felt dishonest wearing it. When I walked from the dining room towards my father's chambers I noticed the physician about to go inside.

"Lady Esme" He greeted as I gave a small smile.

"How is he?" I asked worried his fever hadn't broken and I felt useless unable to help him.

"Still fighting this fever, May I ask after yourself Lady Esme, you were badly wounded" He asked as my back stiffened. I hadn't had to think about that incident in the woods for a while, nor did I wish to remember.

"I am well. Good day" I ended as I strolled outside to where my horse was waiting I was making my way to Nottingham castle. I was hoping to avoid Guy as I walked down at interior corridor, obviously I guess I can't. As he began walking towards me with a small smile on his lips.

"Esme." He smirked.

"Sir Guy." My voice was indifferently. I tried to pass him, but he grabs my left arm. I glowered at him as I could see he looked slightly hurt.

"I’m sorry." His voice was soft as I glanced at his hand on my arm. He lets go but takes my hand instead, then notices something amiss. "Where is your betrothal ring?"

"I felt dishonest wearing it. I’m afraid we have misunderstood each other lately. I assumed you would be true to your word. You perhaps thought I would not mind if you let me down." I growled at him. I was upset and betrayed. Lambert was his friend, he didn't deserve to die. Guy should have helped him.

"I sincerely did not intend that." Guy whispered ashamed.

"I don’t care. I thought you were a better man. Now I realize I must content myself with disappointment." I told him bitterly as I tried to rip my hand away from his, when his rough warm hands gripped around my wrist preventing me from leaving, as my breath caught in my throat as I looked up into his eyes.

"I had to make a choice." Guy explained as he looked aside. I scoffed I didn't care. For all I know he could be lying to me between his teeth as he glanced down at me. "You know that I’m all that stands between you and the Sheriff... and I would not see you harmed. I have to protect you. Hm? Will you wear the ring again?"

"Of course. But we will never find ourselves in this situation again. Everything is back in its box." I told him after a long pause. I ripped my eyes away from his trance as I turned to leave as Guy let me go. My skin tingling slightly as I growled and made my to the courtyard.

*************

Down in the courtyard. As a stableboy saddles her horse by the tree, Esme is petting its nose and babbling lovingly and quietly to it. Gisborne is watching from the cloister, holding a bowl of raw meat bits for the Sheriff ’s hawk and frowning, jealous of the attention the horse is getting from her. By the steps, the Sheriff holds out his arm for his hawk, which flies down from the north tower, lands obediently on his arm and pecks at the meat the Sheriff has in his hand.

"Meat. The secret to controlling wild birds." The Sheriff chuckled as Esme puts her cheek close to the horse and whispers to it.

"Not jealous of a horse, are we?" The Sheriff questioned Guy who looked away from his trance of her beauty to the Sheriff.

"Esme and I have had a disagreement that is all. I’d hoped that—" His voice was a little defeated as he sighed before the Sheriff interrupted him.

"Hope? I would rather be dead than spend my life hoping. “I hope for this, I hope for that.” Buy her something." He growled his voice softening in the end. Like he cared for Guy or Esme's happiness. The Sheriff steps back so his bird handler can take the hawk.

"A trinket or two." He whispered as the Sheriff was watching Esme from above.

"Esme is not the type to be bought." Guy growled, he knew. He had tried. Buying her lovely necklaces and trinkets though she had always rejected him. He knew she didn't like being spent on and he knew he couldn’t buy her.

"Nonsense. All women can be bought. It’s a nesting thing. They want to make sure that their offspring are provided for. They’re animals, really." The Sheriff grumbled slightly as Gisborne turns back to watch Esme, whom was preparing to leave as he watched her gallop out of the castle gates.

*************

It had been at least three days since I had been to the castle; I had my betrothal ring back on my finger. My father was getting better he was now sitting up in his bed eating his soup, the colour slowly returning to his cheeks as I informed him of the previous Council meetings he had missed. There was a knock on the door as a maid walked in shutting the door behind her.

"My lady, Sir Guy is here to see you" She whispered to me as I pursed my lips and nodded. I gave my father's hand a gentle squeeze before I left and walked out to see Guy smirking with a blindfold in his hands which made me frown.

"Sir Guy? I wasn't expecting you" I told him confused as I walked towards him.

"I have a surprise for you" He smiled, as he held up the blindfold. I was hesitant but let him tie it around my eyes as his hands held my hips delicately as he led me outside. I could feel my back pressed against his chest, as my heart beat faster slightly as I gulped.

"Really, I do not like surprises." I told him truthfully as I heard him smirk and chuckle behind me as he stopped me.

"Well, you’re gonna like this one." He whispered in my ear making me shudder slightly as he began to untie my blindfold. I blink, adjusting to the sun, and then I see a magnificent black horse.

"Oh, he’s beautiful." I smiled brightly looking at the beautiful creature as I walked towards him and stroked his nose. I could see Guy smile obviously, pleased with my reaction. I felt my face fall as I felt the creature nudge my stroking hand.

"But I cannot possibly accept him." I whispered disappointed.

"Why not?" Guy asked me shocked with a growl. I guess he didn't expect me to refuse something so beautiful and grand. I wish I could keep him. He is a treasure.

"The expense."

"What expense? My fortune is secure. I can provide for you." Guy promised as I looked up at him smiling slightly.

"Really?" I asked shyly as I brushed his nose.

"That’s what I’ve been trying to show you." Guy smiled as he stepped closer towards me. "Humor me. Just put him through his paces."

"OK." I smiled breathless as I mounted the horse. I galloped for a moment before pulling the reigns and turning round. Guy's smile of satisfaction turned to a frown as I chuckled.

"Would you care to join me?" I asked as I saw his eyes brighten before he was on his horse and we were galloping through the woods. I must admit despite hating Guy, I felt safer in the woods with his company…….