Disclaimer: I don't own Robin Hood BBC, if I did, there would have been far less Robin and much more Gisborne!

Author's Note: Sorry it has been so long, on the upside I have a paying job now! Hope you like it, please review!

Chapter 3

Light streamed through the drapes of the window, stinging Marian's eyes through their lids with its cheerful brightness. She squinted, opened them quickly and slammed them closed again, choosing to take in her surroundings through touch and sound rather than endure the harsh light of morning. Marian could hear the murmurings of the servants downstairs, the thud and crack of an axe splitting wood outside and the collective sound of horses being ridden, rumbling against the earth. Marian wondered if it was the light or the sounds that had awoken her, perhaps the smells of breakfast wafting up the stairs? Then, Marian realised, the sun was coming from the wrong side of the room for it to be her bedroom, and there was something hard and warm wrapped like a vice around her waist.

The warm, strong arm shifted and tightened around her, pulling Marian closer to the hard form behind her. Guy's breath tickled the back of her neck, displacing the hair there and giving her the urge to shiver involuntarily. She felt the tip of his nose brush her shoulder as he shifted, almost as if he was nuzzling her. Marian stiffened, remembering the events of the previous night and decided to conduct a swift self assessment. She felt a dull ache between her legs she had never experienced before, which confirmed her transformed state. Yet, was she truly transformed? She was no longer Marian of Knighton, but was Lady Gisborne so different? Could one physical act completely alter her? The act itself, while eventually pleasurably, had not wrought any sudden revelations of character. She was still Marian of Knighton, if not in name then in nature. Her body has just transitioned from the state of maidenhood to that of a wife.

"Wife", she was not sure she would ever become accustomed to the word in reference to herself. When she has been engaged to Robin she had been "fiancée", or the future "bride", and "wife" was a far away concept that never came to realisation, something that would happen in the future. But now suddenly it was upon her and she did not quite understand what she was meant to do. Marian had been 3 when her mother died, and though she had tried to assume the responsibilities of the household growing up to help her father, the role of a wife was not just a housekeeper, it was a helpmate to her husband, to act as a pillar of strength, care and love, and now Guy was that husband.

Marian finally opened her eyes fully and absorbed the room around her, bathed in the light of a new day. It was so bright and the sun so high in the sky she knew they had slept far later than she was accustomed to. But then, she was becoming accustomed to many new things, such as the warm body beside her, which did not bother her as much as she thought it ought to. Guy sighed in his sleep, his warm breath tickling her ear, and his armed flexed again around her. Marian had not expected Guy to be such a deep sleeper, she could never sleep through the night, always waking due to sounds in the house or outside. It had been the same last night, she'd awoken at least 3 times, that she could remember, and each time Guy had his limbs entwined with hers firmly. It was as if he was afraid she would disappear in the night. But with Guy's history, she supposed it was understandable. Marian wondered how Guy slept when he did not have a partner? If his grip on her was any indication she'd never find out and rather than annoyance she found herself feeling amused by it. The great Guy of Gisborne, holding onto his wife like a barnacle clings to a ship, what would the Sheriff say?

"GIIIIIIIISBORNE!"

Marian jolted upright out of Guy's hold at the same moment Guy's unconscious body leapt into the waking world, alert and aware. The Sheriff's call had emitted from outside the house, but Marian could hear the front door below being opened for him, so the horse hoofs she heard must have been Vaisey and his guard. Guy was already on his feet and swiftly pulling on a pair of breeches and a white linen shirt from the drawer, the most casual clothes Marian had ever seen him in, well, apart from last night. Marian quickly rose too and pulled on a robe which was slung on the back of a chair and then the bedroom door slammed open ominously. In strode Sheriff Vaisey in full regalia with a very smug expression on his face.

"Not interrupting anything I hope?" he sneered at Marian's bedraggled state and nodded to one of his guards, who went to the window and pulled in the bed sheet, holding the stains up to the Sheriff's view. A flicker of anger and disappointment went across his face before he rearranged it into a shiver inspiring grin. Marian had never felt vulnerable in front of the Sheriff before, not even when he had publically humiliated her but cutting her hair. But the sight of him looking upon the marks of her lost maidenhood in the intimacy of her bedroom sickened her, she felt violated.

"I see that you've been busy breaking in your new present Gizzy!"

Guy frowned and stepped to the foot of the bed, blocking Marian from the Sheriff's direct view. His stance was protective and at the same time...threatening towards Vaisey. Marian had never seen Gisborne show any form of dominance against his liege lord.

"Marian is now Lady Gisborne, you will show her the respect she deserves."

Vaisey raised an eyebrow and laughed in forced jocularity:

"Hah! Why, we're brave this morning?! Amazing what a good lay does to a man. Don't get your knickers in a twist over your leper, I'm sorry, Lady Leper" he said, mocked bowing to Marian who looked on impassively, digging her fingernails into her palm to keep from retorting.

"If you're done posturing for your wife Gisborne you have work to do. Get your uniform on, you have 5 minutes!"

Vaisey made to walk away before pausing and grinning.

"Oh, and Congratulations to the happy couple, I'll send along a fruit basket."

With that Vaisey swept out of the room and down the stairs leaving Guy and Marian in the wake of the guards clanking chain mail. Guy followed them and forcibly slammed the door and barred it, drowning out Vaisey's laughter. He then turned to Marian and walked forward, almost tentatively, taking up her hand again, his usually kempt hair ruffled and falling in front of his left eye as he looked down at her.

"Are you...alright?"

"I'm alright" was the only answer Marian could give, because essentially she was. They stood in awkward silence and Guy hesitantly took one of his hands from Marians and brushed it through her bed tossed hair, his lip turning upwards in amusement.

"I think we should get ready for the day Marian. The Sheriff has summoned me to Nottingham it seems, and your new duties as my wife and the Lady of the shire start today."

"What duties?" she asked, her mind drawing a blank.

"I have something for you." Guy walked to a draw and opened it, indicating for Marian to follow, and he slid away a false bottom to reveal an iron key.

"Before our wedding I showed you the money I have earned. As my wife, you have certain privileges, I am trusting you not to abuse them. As is my privilege I grant you 10% of my worldly goods for your own use, as well as 40% for the administration of household funds. This includes paying the staff, taxes and the buying of household items."

Was Guy serious? Not even her own father had allowed her mother direct access to their funds, all money belonged to the husband. Was Guy really giving her half of his fortune?

"You mean you want me to -"

" - to organise the buying of household goods, pay the workmen and -"

He fixed his piercing blue eyes on hers

"- give alms to the poor at church" Marian reached out tentatively for the iron key as if it would disappear and Guy moved it away slightly and added

"in moderation."

He raised an eyebrow pointedly but smirked.

"Of course any trinkets or clothes you want can also be bought from your share. I want you to keep your independence Marian, it is part of what I have always admired about you. Your share also includes your dowry, I do not feel the need to be paid to keep you, I am lucky enough that you would have me. You are mistress of your own funds and must manage them wisely, as they will have to last."

"Giiiiiisborne!"

Guy glanced over at the window with distaste, another emotion she had never seen him display towards the Sheriff. Another instance that proved she was making the right choice, had made the right choice.

"I must go, you will be alright here?"

"I'm fine Guy, I know how to run a household."

"I know. I will see you for dinner tonight."

Guy leaned forward slowly, as if giving her a chance to avoid it, as he chastely kissed her lips, and then flung on his leather garb and grabbed his sword, buckling the clasps as he walked out the door. Marian was now alone in the room, and it most definitely felt empty since Guy's departure. She felt the cold iron of the key in her hand, and couldn't help smiling. She would not be a kept woman, a lady who sat sewing and singing, she would be productive.

Marian called to her maids, who drew a bath and helped her dress, she had much to do today.

First she would inventory the household items and accounts, and introduce herself to the people of the shire.

She was Lady Gisborne and she would make life better, for everyone, including Guy.

No more cloak and dagger, it was time for public politics and opinion.

Author's Note: I hope you liked it! Please review!