Locksley ignored him and took Elena’s hand in his own, touching it with his lips. “Good evening, Lady Gamwell.” She let him woo her, partially to play her part, and partially to give Will a little bit of jealousy she could use later. She wiggled in mock happiness, and brushed her twined braid back over her shoulder.

“Ooh, a ruffian!” she cooed. “Whatever shall I do?”

“It pains me to frighten you so. Lips such as yours should not be made to tremble. Please accept my humblest apologies.”

“Oh, if only I were stronger and braver, but as it is I am helpless!” She kicked back and swooned.

“Are those diamonds?” Locksley gasped, “I hardly noticed, compared to your beautiful face. Does it really need such jewelry to compete with? I think not!” Locksley reached behind Elena’s neck to undo diamonds that weren’t there. She saw Will twitch slightly at his closeness.

“You think I’m beautiful?” she played along. “Well I don’t mind being robbed at all now. Take it all! Take me, too!” She thrust herself at Locksley. Another wave of reaction from the crowd, divided evenly by sex. The men hooted as she draped backward across the stump, while the women moaned in annoyance.

Locksley didn’t take the crowd’s bait. “Maybe another time,” he smiled, and swung out of the fake carriage. “On your way, my dear, and remember, this is our secret!”

He blew a kiss to her and she melted even further, letting her head nearly touch the ground as her body went limp. She knew what effect she had on men. Locksley, too, must be imagining her in a dozen other positions by now. Let him wonder.

“Here’s something for your troubles,” Locksley said, tossing nothing at Will, who stood blankly.

“What was that?”

“That was an invisible coin you failed to catch. Always give a little something back to the carriage driver.”

“What?” Will threw his hands up. “We give it right back?”

“The driver’s not rich. And we want him to keep driving through the forest, don’t we? His passengers won’t know we’re giving it back to him. Keeps him from deciding on taking different paths, or asking his big strong friends to ride along for protection. And always leave to the back of the carriage,” he said, pushing Alan off with him, “even if that’s the wrong way for us. That way they think they’re safe by moving forward.”

Arthur shouted a question from the crowd that stilled the merriment. “What are we supposed to do with diamonds?” Nobody had an answer. “Who are we going to sell them to? Hell if I know anyone. You can’t eat it. You can’t sleep under it. It won’t warm you at night. It’ll go with you to your grave, and only help you get there sooner.”