At the moment everyone wanted to secure themselves from the threat of Robin Hood, and de Lacy’s funeral had to be arranged. William found no help from anyone regarding either problem. The majority of people saw him as a usurper, potentially complicit in de Lacy’s death, and took little effort to hide their animosity. Some were already actively working against him. Others swung the other way, feeding him fake smiles and compliments to reap benefits from his sheriffcy as quickly as possible. None of them, including William himself, expected him to last a week. In light of the assassination, the appointment of a legitimate sheriff would undoubtedly come from someone above. And they were right. Prince John would send men to enforce his previous edict, and then Sheriff Guy of Gisbourne would become a reality.

“I can’t believe Robin could think I wanted this,” he groaned, forcing himself to breathe. He had to focus on one problem at a time.

“Just tell me what I can do,” Arable said.

“Keep doing what you’re doing,” he replied. “Get Lady d’Oily on my side. Convince her that de Lacy appointed me legally. If I can win her, I can win her husband. One at a time, I can start gaining some support.”

Arable responded with only a small hum.

“I’m sorry,” he said again, turning and taking her head in his hands, pulling her to his chest. Her arms wrapped around him and she squeezed tightly. “I don’t mean to ask you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. But if you could keep me informed, with whatever you hear, it would help.”

She released him. “Right. I’ll keep you informed.”

“Thank you.”

He returned his gaze out the sliver window, out to the city of Nottingham beyond the castle walls. He thought of his father. William had always assumed he might take his father’s place in Derby someday. Ironically, his father now owed him fealty.

His father, he startled to remember. He had been considering mining his father for any news of Arable’s family, for her sake. But he’d never done it. And if he were to write now, he’d have to explain everything else that was happening, and then his father would come to Nottingham. He would be a guaranteed ally, which William desperately needed.

But William would have to hide Arable from him.

No, even his own father could not aid him.

“I need to get Robin’s outlaws,” he said solemnly. “That will gain me all the political purchase I need.”

“What about Robin?” Arable asked.

“I think I can protect him,” he said. “Once his group is arrested, he won’t have any excuses to stay. I’ll be able to get him back to the war.”