Part 20 (2/2)
My face dropped. How did Rob know? Did everyone know?
He were looking at my hand, though, and suddenly the world spun into sense.
”I'm sorry,” he told me.
”It won't change a d.a.m.n thing,” I spat, waving him off. ”You taught me that.”
His shoulder touched mine. ”Still.”
”No John?”
He shook his head.
”Will you do something for me, Much?” I asked.
He nodded. ”Of course, Scar.”
”You can't yap about it,” I told him, looking toward him but not at him.
”Even to Rob?” he asked.
”Sort of. It has to be me what tells him, not you, Much.”
”All right. What is it?”
I scratched at the velvet on my gown, trying to push blood into my cold fingers. ”Find out if anyone knows of someone who gave their baby to the Leafords.”
He stared at me. ”You mean a?”
I nodded. ”I think. I don't know.”
”You, or your sister?”
”Me,” I said soft. ”And fast as you can.”
He nodded. ”The monks might know. They would have cared for your mother in childbirtha”or noticed the lack thereof.”
”Or Lady Th.o.r.esby. Her mother were a midwife too.”
He nodded. ”I'll find out, Scar.”
A grunt rang out and we turned back to the field. It weren't Rob fighting. ”How has he been doing?” I asked.
”Fought twice. He's winning, but my guess is they've been ordered to hurt him more than beat him. He's taking punishment.”
I pushed my shoulders back. ”One more day, Much, and it all changes. Forever.”
He squeezed my good hand. ”I'll go and find out, Scar.”
”Thank you.”
Much left, and I went to find my next quarry. He were there, in an overloud red felt hat, selling a crowd on some story. I moved into his sight and motioned to him, and it took him a moment to end the story with a flourish and collect some coin before coming over to me.
He flipped me a coin. ”For the lovely lady,” he said with a bow.
I caught it, then tossed it back to him. ”I don't want your coin, Allan.”
He raised a charming eyebrow. ”Then there's something the lady does want?”
I met his eyes dark and true. ”Confidence.”
He straightened, and the playman fell away. He looked at me. ”I am a confidence man, Lady Scar. And at your faithful service, if you wish it.”
”I do,” I said soft. ”I need information.”
”On what?”
”Lord Leaford's daughters.”
He squinted. ”It would seem you have the natural advantage to that information.”
My pipes were thick. ”I don't. And I don't know if this was said to wound me or if it's true, but theya”my parentsa”rather, the Leafords let me think I'm not their natural daughter.”
His eyebrows rose. ”Then to whom does the fair thief belong?”
”That's your bit to find out.”
He bowed and kissed my hand. ”It shall be done.”
”Thank you, Allan.”
I went back to the castle, and I walked past Rob's room. I wanted to wait for him to return, to tell him everything, but it felt too raw, too new, too strange. And tomorrow would decide it alla”he needed rest.
I continued on, praying my night would be the only sleepless one.
Gisbourne were waiting in the chambers. He raised his eyebrows. ”I was not sure that you'd return.”
I raised my chin. ”My parents can say what they want, but that don't change that I'm married to you, and that don't change that I want that annulment. So I'm here.”
He nodded slow. ”All right.”
”But I ain't faking this anymore, Gisbourne. I'm not talking in the fancy way you want, I'm not wearing these d.a.m.ned skirts, I'm not going to supper tonight, and I'm not smiling and sc.r.a.ping to your princess. None of it.”
He shrugged. ”Fine.” He sat before the fire. ”Though I would recommend at least wearing the dresses. I haven't any men's clothing that would fit you.”
I crossed my arms. That were worth thinking over, but I weren't going to say such to him.
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