I smiled. “Oh no. My fiancée is the Bailiff of this place, Chase Manhattan. He is currently occupied with another event.”
Manny wiped the sweat from his brow with a clean white handkerchief as they left us. “That was extremely difficult. I don’t know how you costumed people do it every day.”
Oliver had finished covering his loom, as he did between programs. “I’ve spent time at many historical towns and villages. You have to learn that the people watching you are interested in what you have to say. Talk to them as you would anyone else.”
“I don’t know if that will ever become commonplace for me,” Manny admitted. “But thank you.”
“I’m not saying I’ve ever been in a historical village quite like this one.” Oliver rocked back on his heels, a grin on his face. “I was out for a stroll yesterday and the Big Bad Wolf ran by chasing Little Red Riding Hood. I assume he doesn’t really eat her?”
I laughed. “Don’t be silly. It would be too hard to recast Little Red Riding Hood every day.”
Oliver and Manny laughed too. Oliver went out for an early lunch.
Manny told me he was going to meet with his father over lunch. “I’m concerned, but I am finished hiding. I am master of my own fate, so to speak.”
“Good for you!”
“Lady Jessie, if I might offer a word of advice.”
“Of course.”
“Long bows can be modified to fire bolts from crossbows.” He shrugged. “I’ve done it myself at home. Perhaps that is what you seek.”
Chapter Seventeen
Lady Marion was on her way back from Stylish Frocks. One of her minions from the forest carried her green (of course) gown and matching suede boots. She told me it was her outfit for my wedding.
“I am really looking forward to this,” she said with a bright smile. “I don’t know if I told you, but I hired an agent from Hollywood. I’m hoping your wedding is going to be my key to the big time.”
Big time? “I didn’t know you had those kinds of ambitions.”
She giggled. “Doesn’t everyone have some ambition? Did you think I planned on spending the rest of my life in Sherwood Forest?”
I really hadn’t thought about it, and quickly changed the subject. “Did the police come for Sofie?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “On another topic, Beth is working on a whole new wardrobe for me. Not just Ren Faire issue either.”
I knew Robin Hood wasn’t going to be thrilled about that. How could he afford her? Tony’s Internet promotion work must have been bringing in a lot more money.
Lady Marion chattered on about her future plans. “It cost me three thousand dollars just for a portfolio. Who knew a bunch of pictures could be so expensive?”
I hoped Robin was planning on filing bankruptcy. Did he realize Marion was burning up his credit card?
We skirted around the traps that lay in waiting for the unwary traveler. Several visitors hung from nets above us. They weren’t calling out for help. They were excited to be part of the drama.
A handful of visitors were in the treehouse encampment area too. Robin had put them to work tending the fire and making lunch. The smell of roasted meat on the spit filtered through the forest.
“Lady Marion, my love.” Robin Hood swept the little green hat from his head. “You abuse my generous heart and meager resources. How many gowns do you need for one wedding?”
I could tell from his tone that he was really upset. He was making a show of it for the visitors.
“Lady Jessie.” He nodded politely to me. “Welcome. What brings you to Sherwood?”
“I have come with ill news and wish to inquire about Sofie. Is she here?”
He gave me a hard look. “I believe you know that she is not. The police were very specific when they picked her up.”
Two teenagers dressed in green T-shirts and jeans looked up at the word.
“Police?” one of them asked. “That’s not cool.”
Robin Hood gave them one of his crazy laughs, and assured them that everything was fine. “We routed the blackguards. They won’t be back again. Keep your eyes on that chicken so it doesn’t burn, eh?”
The boys shrugged, and went back to turning the spit over the fire.
“Come with me, Lady Jessie,” Robin invited. “My Lady Marion, we shall discuss this later.”
Marion shrugged. “Get a life, Toby.”
She went quickly up the stairs to the treehouse that they shared. Robin led me to their storage area at the side of the encampment.
“You gave Sofie up to the police. Really? For killing Dave and Bob? What were you thinking?”