“John—” Much said.
“Actions have punishments,” he said. “We steal the food, hand it out, then what? You think Prince John will just let us off about our way? We almost died fighting the sheriff and this is the prince. He will kill us,” he said.
“He won’t kill me,” I said, scowling at John.
He jumped forward and grabbed my chin, tilting my bruises to the light. “No, he has his own ways of punishing you, Scar, and I’m not putting that on you. Rob may be fine with turning your face purple but I’m not.”
Rob let go of my feet to stand to John’s challenge, but I didn’t bother. “Oh for Heaven’s sake, Rob, sit,” I said.
“Are you questioning my honor, Little? You, who is acting like a damn coward right now?”
“I’m questioning all of it! You think you’re ready to fight the damn prince? You’ve barely slept in a month! You’ll get us all pinched covering your worthless hide.”
Much stood too. “Are you two really going to brawl in Tuck’s? Again?”
“Again?” I snapped, and they both looked fair sheep-like ’bout it.
“If you want out of the band, just say so, John. That’s all there is to it,” Robin spat, sitting back down and grabbing my feet.
I kicked him, dangerous close to a part of him he prized. He grunted and held my foot up, scowling, but I scowled back. “Don’t threaten him,” I said. “Honestly, you like to throw that about a fair bit. ‘Out of the band this, out of the band that.’ We’re barely a band right now so don’t go kicking people out. It ain’t nice.”
Much frowned, and I sighed.
“Isn’t nice,” I corrected.
Much smiled.
“I want out of the band,” John said, quiet and serious.
“John,” I said soft, looking to him.
Much looked betrayed and Rob just gaped, rage-filled.
“Bess is carrying my child,” he said, quieter still, glancing ’bout the room to see who heard. “And she has finally agreed to marry me. I have a family now, and I’m not risking that so some other family can eat. It may be selfish, but what the hell are we doing this for if not to protect our own?” He looked at me, just at me, and I knew it hurt him to say it. “I’ll help where I can. I’ll go hunting tonight if you want me to. But I can’t do anything that’s going to get me thrown in prison and leave her alone.”
“It is selfish!” Rob railed. “What do you think will happen to Bess if we can’t feed the people of Nottinghamshire? If we can’t have a sheriff that will care for us?”
“Then I will hunt and feed her myself. And if they come to our door with swords and knives I will kill every one that tries to step over the threshold.” This stare were for Rob now, and Rob looked ready to step up and counter that too.
I stood, going over to John and hugging him tight. “You may be an overprotective lout, John, but if for that and nothing else you’ll make the best father. And husband.” I squeezed tighter with my one good arm.
He hugged me straight off my feet. “Thank you, Scar.”
“When will you marry?”
“Soon,” he said, putting me down. “After the new year.”
“Congratulations,” Much said, shaking John’s hand. “A baby. That’s … that’s … well, I suppose it’s not surprising, given how often you—”
“Much!” I snapped.
Much smiled and nodded. “She’s right, you know. You’ll be a good father.”
We all turned to make room for Rob to come over and give his congratulations, but he were still sitting at the hearth, scowling. He stood. “I won’t congratulate you, John, on deserting us. We’ve been your family for years and you’re abandoning us.”
My heart dropped. “Rob, you don’t mean—”
“I do,” he told me, harsh. He stared at John. “You bedded enough tavern wenches to have gotten one of them with child, and now—”
He didn’t get to finish the thought; John flattened him.
Chapter Fifteen
“You can’t just not talk to me,” Rob said.
We stole across the lower bailey in a quick line; me, then Rob, then Much, then Godfrey. Rob stayed close, his hand grazing against mine as he whispered to me.
I glared at him and slapped his hand away.
Coming round behind the food store, I looked up at the highest bailey, the lights bright in the bit of the residences that I could see. I wondered if this were breaking my deal with Gisbourne.
We came to the window. It needed a jump up and a much longer jump down. “I can make it in,” I said, “but the unlocked way out is a narrow stair to the kitchen. If we want to bring all the food out fast, we’ll need to open up the front. Which is locked.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Much said, nodding to me.
I frowned. “What does that mean, Much?”
He smiled, nodded again, and said, “It’s taken care of.”
Godfrey looked to me. “I don’t understand.”