Laurel of Locksley (Laurel of Locksley #1)

by Mary Mecham

When I was eight, my mother Marian had been killed. From that point on, my father vowed that no daughter of his would ever be in a situation where she would be unable to defend herself.

When I was only fifteen years old, I gained admittance into the elite band of Merry Men, the first woman to ever do so.

The only thing to do now was report my findings back to my father. But I was already so close! This was too easy. What was the harm in investigating a little further?

Noo Go Girl run

Still winded from my narrow escape through the window, I could not evade the cascade of hands that descended upon me. One man clamped a cloth over my nose and mouth. It smelled of sour grapes and an herb I couldn’t place. I struggled ferociously, but whatever the cloth had been doused in sapped my strength faster than I could disarm my opponent. Against my will, I felt my body relax, and lost all consciousness.

Noooooo

“Honestly, Baron.

Yessssss

Dorian jerked hard on the rope, and my arms were yanked painfully so I had to stagger to the side. ‘Keep it up, Dorian.’ I thought resentfully. ‘You are next on my list.’

My assessment of Dorian was that he was a highly arrogant man, and as such, underestimated people around him, believing himself to be superior in every way.

“Poor girl. Your hair isn’t smoothed to perfection?” he mocked.

“Tisn’t my hair that needs washed, good sir.” I said, batting my eyes innocently. “Then what is it?” he growled. “Well, you see…” I pretended to hesitate. “It is my time of the month, and unless you find me some soft moss…”

No she didn’t

Every second was now crucial. I used the generous length of rope I had coiled up to loop quickly over Dorian’s head and tighten around his throat, cutting off his air supply. His gasp went unheard by anyone but myself as I struggled to hold the rope fast from the other side of the tree. His hands scrabbled helplessly at the binding now choking him. I had no interest in killing the man, but I did need to incapacitate him, and soon.

I retrieved the dagger from his boot and slit my bonds. Once free,

The 3rd time she escapes hopefully she doesn’t get caught

Nasty red rope burns had already appeared on his throat. ‘That is the price one pays for tying up innocent girls, Dorian,’ I thought snidely.

“I can see you truly are your father’s daughter,” he said.

don’t want to hurt you,” he said in a soothing tone.

had been overconfident.

Amen Sister

“Why would I give any respect to someone who deserves none?” I retorted coolly as I looked back at the Sheriff, steam positively gushing from his ears.

“Because he will make your life miserable!” “And why should you care if he does? I can handle anything this dolt thinks up. He isn’t exactly bright.”

“Go ahead.” I challenged, acting supremely unconcerned by my predicament. “Chain me to a tree. Or tent. Give me ten guards. I will find a way out again.” A sinister look stole over the Sheriff’s face. “No, I don’t think so.” The Sheriff then beckoned to Baron. “You will be chained to the one person who has managed to keep you here. I am sure he can handle you easily enough.” A cuff was then snapped onto Baron’s upper arm, linking us firmly together by twelve feet of heavy chains. Baron looked every bit as dismayed as I felt, and we eyed each other warily. My chance of escape had just been greatly diminished.