Maid of Sherwood (3 page)

Chapter Three:

“Are you ready yet?” Mother knocked on Marian’s bedroom door. “We need to leave soon if we are to purchase all our fabrics.”

Marian pulled the door open. “I am ready.”

Mother gasped. “Oh, no you are not.” She gestured to the breeches and tunic Marian wore. “You will
not
go into town wearing those, Marian du Luc!”

“None of my gowns fit,” Marian protested.

“Then we will make one fit,” Mother said. “I will not allow you to disgrace our bloodlines by parading around in
those
.”

“I have worn them in town before, Mother.”

The look on Mother’s face was implacable. “But not now. Not when everyone knows we are purchasing materials for court gowns.”

“But—”

“No, Marian. Change. Now.”

Marian grumbled under her breath, but did as instructed. The soft blue wool gown she chose was beautiful in its simplicity. Too bad, she thought, it does not fit. She drew in a deep breath and released it slowly once Mother had lowered it over her head.

“I. Cannot. Breathe.” Marian gasped.

Mother tugged at the sleeves on the gown. “Stop exaggerating. It
is
a bit tight, but you will not faint.” She bent down and helped Marian into her shoes. “There. Now you look presentable.”

And uncomfortable, Marian thought but did not dare say aloud. Her breasts strained against the fabric with every short breath she took and she felt as though her ribcage was trying to escape the confines of her body.

“We shall visit the seamstress last,” Mother said. “That way, we can give her all our fabric choices, fit you for all your gowns,
and
see to your final May Queen fitting.” She smiled at Marian, her eyes sparkling. “It will be a fun day, Mari. You will see.”

Marian was fairly sure it wouldn’t be, at least not for her, but she smiled and nodded her agreement. Mother was a force of nature and once she made a decision there was no changing her mind. Whether Marian enjoyed it or not, her day would be spent looking at fabrics and being poked and prodded.

“You will need jewels, as well.” Mother said, following Marian into the hall. “Be sure to include Guinvere’s hair comb. Not only will it garner the proper attentions at court, but it is truly one of the loveliest pieces you own.”

The instruction was unnecessary. The jeweled comb was one of Marian’s treasures and she prized it highly.

“On second thought,” Mother continued. “I think we shall have to purchase those ready-made gowns Vernice’s shop carries. Three days will not be enough time to ensure you have the necessary gowns to make the correct impression.”

“Who am I supposed to impress?” Marian huffed. “I thought we were going simply to show our support.”

“Even so. There are always those at court who wish to undermine in hopes of gaining royal influence.” Mother shot Marian a penetrating glance over her shoulder. “Did something happen to you in the woods?”

 “Why would you ask that?” Marian stalled answering.

“You are not arguing.” Mother smiled to take the sting from her words, stopped walking and turned to face her daughter. “If something happened, it is important you tell me,” she said.

It was the most serious Marian had ever seen her. “No, nothing happened,” she lied.

Mother nodded once. She pulled open the front door and gestured to Marian. “Oh, good, the carriage is waiting.”

“Do we really need a carriage?”

“Yes, we really do. You may be used to walking into town, but I am not. And we will have too much to carry, even with Anna accompanying us.”

If she could have, Marian would have sighed. While Anna was a competent maid, she was also a notorious gossip. Whatever transpired between Marian and Mother would be broadcast over every inch of town within a day. She did not understand why Mother had hired her.

“Ma’am, Marian, sorry I am late!” Anna hurried up to them, her face wreathed in smiles. “I can hardly stand it! Court!”

“Wait, what?” Marian looked at Mother in disbelief. “She is going to court with us?”

“Naturally,” Mother said. “You need a ladies maid and Anna is more than capable.”

The young girl turned wide green eyes on Marian. “Y-you do not want me to come?”

“No, that is not it,” Marian said. “It is just—well, this whole thing is so sudden. I do not even know what court entails.”

Anna sniffed. “Oh, all right. I unnerstand that.”

“Anna, get into the carriage. Marian, a word with you?” Though she worded it as a request, Marian could tell it actually was anything but.

Once Anna was in the carriage, with the door shut, Mother spoke. “Marian, you will need a maid while you are at court. Not only would it be inappropriate for you to be without one, you need someone capable of doing your hair and helping you dress.”

“I can
normally
dress myself,” Marian stated.

“Court gowns are not similar in any way to the simple ones I have allowed you to wear here,” Mother said. “They require more—attention—and care. This is not something I will discuss with you. Anna is joining us. The rest of the maids we can borrow from someone at the castle.”

“Rest of the maids?” Marian said weakly. She was not sure if it was the tightness of the gown, or the idea of multiple maids that made her feel light-headed.

“Of course. There will be at least six. One maid cannot do everything, Marian. It would be unsuitable.”

“Mother, I feel odd,” Marian swayed as she tried to climb up into the carriage.

“Do not take such deep breaths,” Mother instructed, helping Marian onto the seat next to Anna. “You are too used to breeches and tunics. When we return from Nottingham, that will change. It is past time for you to embrace your lineage and leave your childhood behind. Now, what colors do you prefer?”

Marian shrugged. “I do not know. Green, maybe? Or red?”

“Do not shrug, Marian. It is unladylike. Well, it must be the proper green,” the other woman mused. “One emerald and silver, I think, and the other one red with gold shot threads. I will loan you my circlet, as well. Once your hair is done properly, it will look lovely on you.”

Marian felt the carriage begin to move. “It all sounds perfect.” Her eyes began to drift closed.

“Now is not the time for you to sleep, Marian!”

Marian heard Mother’s voice, but it sounded as though she was speaking through a pillow and no matter how hard she tried she could not focus on what Mother was telling her.

“Marian! Marian! Anna, slap her!” Mother’s instructions faded as the world around her faded and grew black.

A soft tapping on her cheek slowly penetrated her consciousness.

“Not like that!” came Mother’s harsh voice and Marian heard, just for an instant, a thread of fear in it. “Move!”

The next slap rocked her head to the left and her eyes shot open. She met Mother’s concerned deep blue eyes. “Marian, can you hear me?”

Marian nodded slowly. “I—what happened? Did I fall asleep?”

“You fainted, ma’am,” Anna said. “I tried to wake you, but you wouldn’t.”

“You—hit me,” Marian accused, looking at Mother.

The older woman nodded. “Yes, and I would again, given the circumstances. Anna,” she instructed the maid, “she needs her ties loosened. Not enough to be immodest, but enough so she can breathe.”

“Yes’m.”

Marian leaned away from the maid. “I can loosen my own ties,” she protested, proving her words as she said them.

 “You need to allow Anna to help you,” Mother said.

“When we reach Nottingham, I will. But it cannot make any difference in a carriage.”

Mother raised one elegant eyebrow and Marian subsided, choosing instead to change the subject.

“How long will it take us to get to the castle?” Marian asked.

“We will stop overnight at an inn halfway between town and there,” Mother said. “It will take us most of two days to reach Nottingham, then another half day to get to the castle itself.”

Marian bit the inside of her lip. She had hoped to see Robin again before she left, but did not know how that would be possible with the rush of the Festival.

The carriage ground to a halt.

“Feeling better?” Mother asked. She sounded genuinely concerned.

Marian took a deep breath in and slowly released it. “Yes,” she said.

“Then let us get you clothing which actually fits,” Mother smiled. “Anna, if you would...”

The small maid rose from her seat and opened the door, waiting until both Marian and Mother stepped down and onto the road before joining them.

Mother looked critically at Marian. “Vernice’s shop first,” she said. “We
must
get you out of that gown and into something more fashionable.”

It was as though the woman who had slapped her awake did not exist anymore, Marian thought. That idea stayed with her throughout the day, as she was fitted for gown after gown after gown. It was not until they were on their way home, Anna loaded down with new gowns of every shade and variety, that she brought up what was really bothering her.

“Why have you never taken me to court before now?”

“Marian, this is not the proper time to speak of such things.” Mother said.

“It is
never
the proper time!” Marian objected.

“You and I will speak of this later.” Mother’s eyes flicked to Anna, who was listening, eyes wide.

Marian’s mouth snapped shut, too late. By the same time tomorrow, the entire town would know of the arguments between her and Mother. She had not been thinking of the consequences when she spoke.

“The gowns look lovely on you,” Mother said. “I am especially pleased with the royal blue one. I think that is the one you shall wear to supper once we arrive.”

Marian began to shrug, but stopped halfway through at Mother’s glare.

“May I go into Sherwood when we get back?” She asked.

Mother sighed. “You know I would prefer you stayed out of those woods,” she began. “But yes. As long as you come back before dusk.”

The sun had just topped the highest building in town. Marian figured she had enough time to explore and possibly meet Robin again.

“Take Will with you,” Mother continued, and Marian’s heart dropped.

“I will wear my sword,” she bargained. “Aunt Constance was having a –bad—day when I saw Will last night. I doubt he will be able to leave her.”

“Poor Constance,” Mother said. “First losing her brother to the sheriff’s men, then her sister-in-law vanishing like that… it is no wonder she has lost her mind.” She changed her tactic. “Anna can go with you instead.”

The young girl began shaking her head. “Oh, no, ma’am. I am sorry, but I cannot. I just cannot.”

Both Marian and Mother raised their eyebrows at the terror in her voice.

“What is the matter?” Marian asked.

“It is the—the woods. All those trees n’ all. I cannot go in there!”

“All right,” Mother soothed. “You do not have to go. It will be all right, Anna.”

Marian gave a sigh of relief. Anna’s fear meant she would be going into the woods alone, just as she wished.

“Of course,” Mother continued, “you realize this means you cannot go into the woods today.”

“What? Why not?” Marian demanded.

 “We had this discussion already, Marian. You violated our agreement. I obviously cannot trust you in the woods alone. Since no-one can attend you today, it stands to reason you may not go.”

Marian’s jaw tightened. “I will ask Father,” she said.

“Please do,” Mother said calmly, “if you believe it will serve your purposes.” She waited until the carriage slowed to a halt. “Anna, take those gowns into Marian’s room and place them across her bed. They need to be aired before they are packed.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Anna gathered the gowns into her arms. The carriage door opened, one of their footmen holding the door, waiting for the women to descend.