Deception

Chapter 25

The events yesterday just kept surprising me. First I experienced what Black Powder could do. Lambert was arrested and probably still being tortured and somehow Much was now made the new Earl of Bonchurch. Was the Sheriff playing some sort of joke? I was dressed in a deep green gown, my hair plaited down my back as I was making my way down the main steps of Nottingham Castle towards the courtyard.

I wasn't paying that much attention to my surroundings before I heard a loud growl, followed by a thump as I glanced over to see Guy kicking a bench under one of the blooming trees. I frowned before I strutted towards him as Guy was leaning against one of the lower tree branches looking furious and upset.

"Guy!" I called out as I saw Guy turn away from me as I rolled my eyes before walking towards him once more. "You are upset."

"I’m fine. I cannot discuss it." He grumbled not facing me, trying to ignore the fact I was standing behind him as I raised an eyebrow.

"I had not imagined the man who wishes to marry me would shut me out of his thoughts." I played as he sighed before he turned to me, his expression softening a bit yet he looked furious. He was such a mystery to look at I frowned at him trying to read him. He never gave much away and he was completely shutting me out this time.

"Forgive me, Esme. I’m not myself." He apologized looking away slightly.

"Has the Sheriff angered you?" I asked hoping to get some answers.

"No, the Sheriff undermines me whenever possible. That’s not unusual." He grumbled as I had to prevent myself from smirking. It was true, the Sheriff did undermine him and liked to prove him to be a useless.

"Is this about Lambert and finding the ledger? This black powder is costing you a dear friend." I questioned softly as his expression hardened as he looked at me with those emotionless yet furious eyes.

"I am angry, Esme, because the Greek fire was my project and the Sheriff took it away from me." He sulked angrily as he leant against the branch biting his thumb through his black leather glow as if to try and stop himself from lashing out in fury. I bit my lower lip thinking there must be a way to save Lambert he didn't deserve this fate of torture.

"Suppose we were to take matters into our own hands. Surely the Sheriff would not mind how you went about it. He strikes me as an end-game man. If you could find the ledger..." I asked him quietly as he looked at me interested a spark of curiosity in his eyes.

"What would you suggest?" He asked his eagerness demanding in his voice.

"Show Lambert you are still his friend. Take him to a place of safety. Inform the Sheriff of your plans if you wish, I'm not trying to imply to go behind his back but you always say people respond to loyalty." I whispered as I looked around to see we weren't overheard. I only added the bit about the Sheriff since I knew I had to play it safe. I needed to make it look like I was on their side when I wasn’t.

"No. Lambert would never trust me now." Guy grumbled defeated as I tried to think harder, he must, there had to be a way to save him.