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The long, terrible day simply would not end. From the first moment the traveler had shared his dreadful news, Marion had been in a daze. Her Robert was dead and gone. He was lost to her and their home would soon follow. Peper Harow will fall to the crown, and you will be living in the hedgerow. The Sheriff’s harsh proclamation haunted her. How would she and Walter survive when their misfortune was discovered? How would her people fare without them?
Everything Marion did and said afterwards was by rote. Robin was their guest, and as such, he was afforded every hospitality even as her mind spun out of control. Marion hardly looked up as she directed the servants, so when she found herself facing him in the bathing chamber, it was a shock. It seemed to Marion that the hulking stranger took up the entire room, and she couldn’t catch her breath.
Then he spoke, “My Lady, I’ll need some help with the chain mail.”
Marion whirled to the door and called for a house girl, “Winifred? Winifred!”, but Winifred was long gone; only the ghost of a giggle echoed down the hall. Marion realized if she intended to keep up with custom, she would have to assist him.
She turned back to the man. Really, he wasn’t much larger than Robert had been, it was only that he was unfamiliar to her, and it was just the two of them there. True, he was nice enough when there were witnesses, but how would he be without anyone around? Marion took a deep breath and steadied herself.
Robin stepped toward her and said, “The coif has a clasp at the nape of the neck,” as he gestured to his throat.
Marion breathed out slowly, observing Robin. He stayed where he was, waiting for her to approach him. His manner suggested he was just as uncomfortable with the situation as she was. The sheer size of him still gave her pause, but Marion was in the habit of facing her fears, so she held her head high, walked up to him, and deftly undid the mail headpiece.
After that, the process went quickly. Marion moved on to his tabard and then she worked on the heavy metal shirt. As he bent down, the garment folded up and slid off at the last moment, causing her to lose her balance. Marion landed hard on her rear end, but quickly got to her feet and began to unlace his undertunic.
As she pulled on the ties, her apprehension fell away. Getting Robin out of his armor was much like taking the harness and traces off of the plow horse, Goliath. And he smelled similar, too. Marion realized that she could feel the heat coming off of him in waves, along with the stink of body odor and the dirt from his travels. Walter was right, he needed to bathe.
Marion breathed through her mouth and gave one last heave to drag the tight linen tunic over Robin’s head. Her concentration was so complete that when she finally stood, she was taken aback by the beautifully muscular body in front of her. Robin was a handsome, well-built man.
All of a sudden Marion felt the atmosphere of the room change. Robin looked at her with speculation in his gaze for the first time since they had met in the yard. She couldn’t allow that, so Marion ignored his ‘thank you’ and slipped into the stiff, disapproving manner that served her so well.
She snapped, “I’ll have it washed,” as she grabbed the garment from Robin and left him standing with his hand out.
However, she couldn’t resist one last glance before she swept out the door. He was certainly nice to look at.
_____
Later that evening, Marion suffered another devastation when Walter proposed that the traveler pose as her husband. Of course the wretch had leapt at the chance. Then later, when her father-in-law told her privately that she should share her chamber with Robin, she argued against the idea fiercely. It was not acceptable! She couldn’t do such a thing! Did he have no care for her safety? Walter’s only response was to smile at her and stand his ground. He knew how capable Marion was.
For some unfathomable reason Walter insisted that the unknown man was trustworthy and Marion simply could not see it. The worst part was the stakes riding on the deception. Their way of life, their very hearth and home depended on the success of this ruse. It was a way out, but, God, she was afraid.
Marion would do much to protect her people, but this was nearly her limit. In the end, though, she had no choice. Her father-in-law was the lord of the castle, her people needed her, and she trusted in herself. If Robin thought he could take any advantage of the situation, he would find out differently, the hard way.
_____
A few weeks later, Marion paused at the bottom of the stairs to her room. It had been a long and tiring day, and her bed called to her. She watched Robin relaxing in front of the fireplace. He reclined in the same chair he sat in that first night when Marion had been on the very knife edge of panic and anger. She recalled how Robin had dared to jest with her. His words came back to her, heating her blood all over again. ’Ask me nicely,’ she thought. He’d had such nerve.
Afterwards, though, she had been pleasantly surprised when Robin had made no complaint as she showed him to his place on the hard stone floor. Then, later when they rode out over the land, Robin helped her with the daily tasks and saw to the needs of their people with genuine interest. He had even miraculously solved the problem of the empty fields. Marion had wracked her brain, had done everything she could to ensure that her people would be fed, but she had failed, utterly. Then, suddenly, the issue was resolved, and Robin lay exhausted in front of that very fire while his shirt steamed as it dried. That feat more than anything else had convinced her that Walter was right in his judgment of the man.
Over time, she found herself thinking of Robin more and more as her husband. Honestly, she could do much worse. In the weeks she spent with Robin he had treated her with respect and listened to her, and he was dedicated to their work. It had taken some time, but Marion was finally beginning to feel safe with him.
Marion smiled and said, “Goodnight, husband,” then started up the stairs.
Behind her, Robin’s deep voice rumbled, “Marion?”
She stopped and turned back to him, “Yes?”
“Would you come here, please?” he asked.
The candles had burned low and the flames from the fireplace lit Robin's face. His eyes were heavy-lidded and she knew he was as tired as she was.
What could he want? she thought, but went to him anyway.
Marion approached Robin and stood in front of him, waiting to see what he had to say, but he just watched her silently.
She smoothed her hands over her skirt and asked, “What is it?”
A half smile played on Robin’s face and he held out his hand. Marion stepped forward and put her hand in his.
Robin looked at her for another moment, then said, “You are so beautiful.”
It had been many years since Marion was a blushing maid, but his frank interest made her cheeks heat. That brought out a true smile from Robin and he tugged her toward him.
“Is that all?” Marion asked.
She meant for it to be an acerbic rejoinder that would allow her to escape, but Robin responded, “No, that’s not all, Marion. I have a question for you.”
Marion tried to take her hand from his, but he clasped her firmly. “Go on,” she said.
Again, Robin paused. He looked deep into Marion’s eyes and asked, “May I share your bed tonight?”
The flush that colored her face deepened and spread down her neck into her bodice. Marion couldn’t find a response. It wasn’t that Robin’s request was unexpected, it was just that she had gotten used to their arrangement. He was kind and attentive during the day and at night he made his bed on her hearth. It was safe. If she let him have this, there was no telling what would happen.
“It’s been a long time, Robin,” Marion hedged.
Robin’s expression didn’t change. He just continued smiling up at her. “Come sit with me for a moment,” he said and drew her closer.
“What, here?” Marion exclaimed.
“Yes, right here,” he replied.
Marion pursed her lips and glanced around. There was no one in the big room but the two of them. Oh, why not? she thought.
She used her free hand to gather her skirts and perched carefully on Robin’s knee, facing partly away from him. It was uncomfortable to hold herself so stiffly, but this was new territory for Marion. She tried to let her guard down and relax, but it was impossible.
After a few seconds, she moved to get up, but Robin placed his hand on her waist to halt her.
“What if the servants see?” she hissed. The anxiety was unbearable. In another moment, she would bolt.
Robin chuckled and settled back into the chair, shifting Marion as he did so. “Then they will see their lord and lady enjoying the fire, and not dare to think of it further. Not if they know what is good for them,” he said.
The way Robin held her made it easier to see him, and she found that she was more comfortable. Marion studied Robin’s face. There was a gleam in his eyes where the firelight glittered, and he was warm and inviting.
Marion had resisted her attraction to him for so long. At first, it was natural apprehension, but after she spent time with him, she had seen what kind of man he truly was. He had shown her who he was every single day they were together.
The confidence and raptness of Robin’s gaze caught her and she gave in. Marion pressed her palms to his hard chest and leaned into Robin, breathing over his lips before kissing him softly. He closed his eyes as she did so, but Marion kept hers wide open. She had never done something so bold and she expected Robin to take over, to pull her into his arms and kiss her himself, but he just let her do what she would. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips to Robin’s, enjoying the feel of him. His lips were firm and warm, and his mustache hairs prickled Marion’s skin. After a few moments, she leaned back and looked at him.
“I don’t know what came over me,” she said, looking away.
Marion might have been tough and unyielding as the lady of the house, but when it came to her slight experience in romance, she always, always let the man take the lead. Embarrassment caused her to attempt to get up and leave, but Robin pulled her close again, encircling her in his strong arms.
“Shhh,” he said, “Allow me.”
Marion settled at his calm tone and melted into his embrace. Robin cupped her cheek in his large palm and urged her to place her lips on his again. This time he did take over, kissing her thoroughly. He brushed his lips on hers, back and forth as he slowly deepened the kiss. He used his tongue to part her lips and when she let him, he slipped inside, caressing her with his tongue. Robin tilted her backward onto his other arm, angling her face so he could ravage her mouth.
The sensations were so intense that Marion found it hard to breathe. She turned her head to catch her breath and Robin continued kissing her, over her chin, down her neck and over the scant swell of her breasts. She could feel that she had arched herself up to him like a wanton tavern wench, but Marion didn’t care. All she wanted was more of Robin’s kisses, more of his caresses, more of him.
Marion threw all caution to the wind and said, “Robin?” He hummed in response, and she said, “Ask me nicely.”
Robin looked up from worshiping her breasts and smiled at her, “My lady?”
“Yes?”
“May I please take you to bed?” As soon as he asked the question, Robin returned to showering Marion in hot, hungry kisses, as if he wanted to eat her whole.
The fervor of his touch, the feel of his hard body all around her, and the scorching desire Robin had built inside her clouded Marion’s mind, but somehow she managed to whisper, “Yes, Robin. Yes.”
The words barely left her mouth before he scooped Marion up, settled her securely in his arms, and proceeded to carry her up the stairs.
-----
The staircase was long and Marion was aware that she wasn’t the lightest weight, but Robin climbed up the steps effortlessly. He lowered her feet to the floor without letting her out of his arms and kept her close, burying his face in her neck as her hair fell over him, blocking everything from his view.
The sensations overwhelmed her and Marion felt lightheaded, so she opened her eyes to try to collect her wits. It didn’t help. The first thing she saw was the bed. It was so close, and so was the reality of what they were going to do.
Robin ceased his kisses and held her away from him a little. “You are trembling. What is wrong?” he asked.
Marion tried to get herself under control. This was what she wanted, but now that they were so close to the act itself, she wavered. Insecurity was not in her nature and it caught her off guard. She pushed the fear back, telling herself she wanted Robin, that he wanted her, that he would be the same man in the bed as he was during the day. She would not let her fear win.
Marion gathered her courage and looked Robin in the eye, “I have little experience with this, Robin.”
Robin gazed at her serenely, “There’s no need to be frightened, Marion.”
“I know,” she said, but made no move to continue their lovemaking.
Robin took a breath, then asked, “Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” Marion said softly.
“And If I tell you what to do, will you do it?”
Marion’s gaze sharpened. Do what he tells me to?, she thought, but the hesitation was fleeting. The look in his eyes made her curious, “I…yes,” she said, finally.
Robin stepped backward and crossed his arms over his chest. He eyed her intently and said, “Undress for me.”
Regardless of what she had just agreed to, Marion opened her mouth to refuse, but suddenly the memories of that first night rushed back to her.
“You saw me,” she said quietly, “Through the bed curtains.”
He didn’t deny it. Robin only smiled a slow, sensual smile, and gestured at her to get on with it, but Marion was frozen in place. There was no way she could go on without thinking through this new information.
Robin had already seen her, had watched as she undressed…After she threatened him with her knife and then how he had taken his place on the floor of her chamber, she had thought herself safe. And she had been, except for his prying eyes.
It was a violation of her trust that should have bothered her more than it did. Truth be told, it was nothing more than any other man would have done if given the opportunity, and Robin hadn’t taken any further liberties. He could have done so much worse, but he hadn’t. His actions were what was important.
After all, Marion knew deep down that her threats were only as effective as Robin allowed them to be. If he had not been an honorable man, knife or no, she truly could not have withstood him. Thankfully, Robin had proven that he was a gentleman and she wouldn’t hold his small indiscretions against him now.
Finally, Marion played the last hour back in her mind, recalling how she sat with Robin, the way he held her in his arms and made love to her in front of the fire; how he asked her to trust him in a hundred ways before he ever spoke the words, and then, asking for her obedience. Throughout their time together, Marion had taken the measure of Robin and found that she did trust him. She did want to do what he said, despite her qualms, and no matter how their relationship had begun.
With her decision made, she confidently undid her belt, letting it slip to the floor with a clink. Then she shrugged out of her blue overdress, which pooled down around her feet. Marion looked up at Robin. Throughout the time she had spent thinking, deciding, he hadn’t moved a muscle. He just stood there, watching her.
Her grey underdress was next. She lifted it off over her head and draped it over the bed rail. All that was left was her gauzy linen chemise. The sheer fabric outlined her small curves and showed her pale skin underneath. She was almost naked, but still Robin waited. He couldn’t mean for her to take that off, too, could he?
Her thoughts must have been clear on her face, because Robin raised an eyebrow and nodded at her to go on.
In an attempt to delay the inevitable, Marion bent and retrieved her overdress from the floor to drape it next to her other shift. However, the moment passed too quickly and she found herself facing Robin again.
He cut an imposing figure. Broad and tall, with his big arms crossed over his thick chest. The slightly too small sleeves of his shirt strained over the great muscles of his shoulders. Then Robin smiled and it was nearly too much for her to bear. However, Marion had turned a corner in her mind and she refused to run from too much. She would face him, head on. Damn it, she wanted him. Even if it meant baring everything to him.
Marion pulled the last piece of her clothing over her head with one hand and flung it to hang over the other two dresses. She refused to cower, she wouldn’t cover herself. Maybe it was true that she was too tall, too plain, and no longer a young woman, but Robin wanted to see her this way. And she wanted him to, as well. So she stood there proudly, a regal and shameless queen crowned only by her shining tresses. Marion faced him fearlessly, holding her arms at her sides and daring Robin to see her.
And he did. Robin breathed hard through his nose and finally uncrossed his arms. His hands flexed as if they already roamed her body. His control was immense, but Marion could tell it wouldn’t hold for long.
Robin’s voice was harsh with need as he growled at her, “Get in the bed, my Lady.”
The way Robin said ‘my lady’ made Marion shiver, but she managed to keep her gaze locked with his as she complied. She backed up slowly until she felt the bed frame behind her, then she sat down gracefully and lifted her legs onto the bed one at a time. The movement bared her most intimate places to him for an instant before she reclined on the cushions to wait for him. Marion’s nerves were on fire. Before this, it had never even occurred to her to do anything as brazen as that.
Robin stalked up to Marion. He stood over her, studying her with a possessiveness that would have chilled her if it was anyone else. However, with Robin, all she felt was desire.
She reached out her hand to him, “Please,” she whispered, “I want to see you, too.”
Robin groaned with impatience, but he did as she asked, stripping his shirt over his head, then loosening the ties of his breeches to let them fall. He stood in only his small clothes which strained over his thick cock. Robin weighed whether to remove them or if it was better to leave Marion with some mystery. She had seemed so fragile for a moment there.
Marion saw his hesitation and her tone was darkly seductive as she said, “Everything, Robin. I want everything.”
She smiled wickedly at Robin’s reaction. Her grin widened more when he undid his drawers and she saw what he had for her. Marion only had a moment to admire his cock before Robin got on the bed. He knelt up and over her to settle one of his big thighs securely between her legs.
Marion reached for him, smoothing her hands over his muscled ribs, around behind his huge shoulders and back down to pull him closer to her.
He chuckled and dipped to bury his face in the crook of Marion’s neck, kissing and nipping her until she moaned and writhed under him. Her movements placed her core closer to his thigh and he took advantage of that, cupping a hand under her silken ass to press her body to him, encouraging her to ride his leg. When she did, his cock slid back and forth over her soft mons, driving him wild.
Her hands were everywhere and she arched up into him, moaning his name and Robin knew what she needed. He braced himself on one elbow and placed the heel of his hand on Marion’s mound. Then he took her mouth in a deep kiss as he found that little bud of flesh that sent her over the edge into her ultimate pleasure.
Marion screamed, but Robin swallowed it with a smile. He let her ride out her orgasm, clinging to him, kissing him blindly, desperately and when she finally calmed, he lifted up to see her face.
She was sheened in sweat, glowing pink and her eyes shined. A tear slipped from one eye and traced down her cheek. Robin wiped it away gently.
Marion had no words. Her one night with Robert had been sweet, as she said, but she had never felt anything like that before. She breathed out and nodded at Robin. She wanted the rest of him, of this. She wanted it now.
Robin understood her unspoken request. He lifted her legs and wrapped her around him, angling his cock so that he was right at her entrance. He settled himself over her, and although he could tell she was wet enough for him, she was still too tight.
“Let me in, Marion,” he breathed into her ear as he pressed his cock into her.
The afterglow of her orgasm distracted Marion for a moment, but she managed to turn her attention to Robin and tried to do as he asked. Her body accepted him slowly and the stretch was wonderful. A soft, “Ahhhh,” escaped her as she threw her head back, taking Robin into herself, letting him in.
He entered her slowly and withdrew just as carefully, sinking deeper inside of her with each tantalizing thrust. Robin’s uneven breath brushed Marion’s cheek and she turned her head to kiss him.
Robin found her lips with his own and kissed her deeply.Then he took her wrists into his hand one at a time, drawing her arms up over her head as he seated himself fully inside of her. When he had her completely ensnared, he lifted up and looked down their bodies to where they were joined. Only then did he begin to move on her with his full strength.
Marion was helpless, pinned and subjected to Robin’s every thrust, overflowing with the there-ness of him. It was a contradiction, but even as she was surrounded and invaded by him, she felt so cherished and protected. The sensations were overwhelming. Marion closed her eyes to try and feel them all at once.
In, out, harder, faster, he moved with every bit of the hard-muscled strength and sureness she had seen from him, and now she was his focus. The noises she made were feral; she keened and begged Robin for her release, but he kept his pace steady even as she began to fall apart all over again.
“Marion,” the voice was low and deep, so far away, “Marion, open your eyes,” he said. She couldn’t, it was too intense.
“Look at me!” Robin commanded her, and she did.
He released her wrists and drew her close, watching her watching him as he took her very body for his own. Robin moved on her, inside of her, urging her on with every powerful thrust. Marion wrapped her arm around his neck and arched against him, using his body and his cock to find that beautiful, rolling, liquid release all over again. And when she did, she locked eyes with Robin and the vision of her pleasure sent him over his own edge.
Robin’s body stuttered as he was overwhelmed with pleasure. He grasped Marion tightly as he convulsed, orgasming deep inside of her. He couldn’t breathe, it was so good, and she was so soft, and white hot, screaming his name. God, what a woman, was his last thought before he ceased to think at all.
As Marion’s senses slowly returned, she felt languorous, warm and damp, as though she had been caught in a beautiful, chaotic summer storm. The bedclothes were in complete disarray and, at some point, Marion’s wild grasping had pulled down part of one of the bed curtains. Robin lay to the side of her, breathing heavily, but quietly.
Marion turned to him and just gazed at the man who had made her feel so wonderful. He opened his eyes and grinned at her. She returned his smile and moved so she could rest her head on his shoulder. Marion curled up against Robin’s side and he wrapped his arm around her. Whatever happened next, they would face it together.