"You sure about this, Rob?" John asked.
"Positive, Little John," Robin answered, standing on the deck of his ship, the Heart of Sherwood. "You were there when we chased him down, we could have been brothers. Gone for five years, who knows what he might come back looking like? It is a perfect plan. Are Tucker and Will ready to do their part?"
"They are already in the city at an inn nearby. If you get caught, Robin... if they find out you are The Pirate Hood of Loxley Sea and not Ser Richard Lionheart, they will hang you."
"They'd have to catch me first. You are sure about the wealthiest noble and the names of his two daughters?"
"Yes, from all reports, it is Riff Noddingham, a widower with two daughters. The oldest is Scarlett and the youngest is Marion. Scarlett is already betrothed, but Marion only recently came of age."
Robin smiled grimly. "Ugly, I am guessing?"
"It's said they are both great beauties."
Robin smiled grimly. "A rumor perpetuated by coin, I imagine. She will be homely, insipid and probably as large as a house if she hasn't been snapped up yet, but it doesn't matter. So long as he pays the dowry I ask for, and he will. For his daughter to marry into royalty? He would pay any price. Make sure the boys are ready."
Robin left, not waiting on a response, knowing his men were trustworthy. To him anyway.
He made his way into the city and up to the higher tiers. The city was built on the foothills of a mountain and the higher up you went, the more wealthy the residents. He was headed all the way to the top to try his hand at his newest con.
Five years back, Ser Richard Lionheart, sole heir to the crown once his uncle passed, was locked into an arranged marriage. He took one look at her and set sail the next day, disappearing for over five years.
Robin himself ran his ship down less than a week ago on his return voyage. They had brought in quite a haul, but the biggest surprise was how much Robin and Richard looked alike. He could easily pass for the man and now he intended to do just that. He had milked Richard for information for five days, then sold him to the southern slavers who didn't speak a word of English. It was what he was planning on doing to all the girls he stole away from their fathers after collecting their dowry and a ransom too.
The giant manor house was easy to spot with its expansive grounds and he walked right up to the door and rang, as confident as if he were actually who he said he was.
An older woman answered, looking up at him in confusion.
"I am here to see Lord Nottingham."
"Have you an appointment?"
"He will want to see me, I assure you. Announce me at once. Ser Richard Lionheart."
The old woman blinked in confusion, then opened the door and let him in before tottering off as quickly as she could move. The older man who came storming out of the study looked angry.
"Who are you? What game are you playing at?" he demanded.
"Lord Nottingham?"
"Yes? What is this?"
"As you may have heard, I left some years back after my uncle tried to marry me off to a hag thrice my age and barren. I am returning, but I have no intention of going back there without a wife so that he cannot do the same again."
"How do I know you are who you say you are?"
"You were at court the same time I was, do you not recognize me? Do you not recognize my seal?" he asked, showing him the ring on his finger.
He could see the man mulling it over, looking at him and seeing the resemblance.
"Say you are who you say you are, what do you want?"
"I have heard a great many tales of the beauty of your daughters. I came to see for myself."
"My daughters? My daughters are lovely. And our blood is quite noble... but you understand they are not on par with..."
"I don't care about that. I care about finding a young and lovely woman I can love and who can bear me children. Not some old crone or grasping noble."
"I... well of course! Of course, I will arrange a dinner next week and you can..."
"No, tonight. Now that I am back, word is going to run ahead of me. I want this done quickly before they come and find me."
"Yes, of course, I will see it done! Tonight then! Seven PM?"
"Yes, but I wish to lay eyes on them first, see for myself if the rumors are true."
"Well, you may not have heard, but Scarlett is already betrothed. Marion though, she has recently come of age."
"How recently? Why is she not engaged herself?"
"Last week," the man said, blushing. "But she is eighteen now, and she really is lovely."
"Summon her."
"Ahhh... yes, of course. Bianca! Tell Marion to come down! Make sure she is... presentable."
"Why would she not be presentable?" Robin demanded as a younger maid popped out of the study and hurried up the stairs.
"Ahhh... she sometimes likes to... ahhh... "
"What? Spit it out man!" Robin spat haughtily.
"Well, she is a bit of a free spirit and... sometimes she will hide away and spend the day in a tree, reading, or in the woods behind the manor. I know she is home today though! But sometimes, she doesn't always get dressed or brush her hair... She is learning to become a lady now! She is! She just needs a steady hand to tame her..."
"I see," Robin said darkly, scowling and looking like he was having second thoughts.
"Just meet her! Take a look at her!" Lord Nottingham said quickly. "She will be down any moment!"
Robin crossed his arms, looking put upon as he looked around disdainfully. "Are you at least going to offer me a seat and a drink?"
"Pardons! Pardons sir, please, come in and have a seat in my study, please! I have a new wine in! Sorcha, wine for Ser Richard!" he snapped at the older woman who had answered the door.
Robin sat, reclining and lounging like only a spoiled noble could as he took the wine.
"So, Ser Richard, where have you been these last five years?"
