Miss "Robin Hood"

2

Peyton was one of our fastest horses, and in my rage I spurred her hard. In record time I reached Raven creek and didn't even pay attention to the astonished looks that followed me. Although Charles and I were close, I hadn't come here. It was no ordinary sight to see Anderson's little daughter in Alexander Robinson's lands. When I reached the staircase in front of the main entrance of the house, I jumped off my horse and threw the reins in the hands of the astonished man to my left. I had no idea who he was, but I could tell from his look that he knew very well who I was, so I didn't have to worry about Peyton.

I climbed the stairs in one breath and entered the hall, where the shocked housekeeper greeted me with the question of whether she could help me. "Where's Robinson?" I asked in the most commanding tone I had. I wanted to find the scumbag as soon as I could. The worried woman began to wring her hands.

"Tell me where he is and I'll leave faster." The woman remained silent and anxious, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I began to search one room after another. Suddenly I saw John coming down the stairs. His gaze was disapproving, his voice cold. "Miss Anderson, you're not welcome in here."

I stopped and looked at him with an equally cold look.

"Tell me where he is, I won't leave until I talk to him."John raised his eyebrows, a look of surprise on his face. Seconds later, understanding settled on his face and his lips curled into a mocking smile."Oh yes, today was your engagement! How did it go, miss?"

I looked at him with disregard. He and his insults didn't matter at the moment. I took a few steps forward, my whole being tensed from the humiliation Zander had made me feel. And all because he believed some rumors. I was ready to explode. Just a few more seconds and I would lose patience. I asked quietly again, "Where is he?"

He looked at me judgmentally and obviously saw that this was not the time for his jokes.

"He is in the study. Elen, show her the way." He simply said and left. I waited for the woman to pass in front of me and I followed her. When she stopped and pointed to the door, I literally stormed through it. Zander was sitting behind a desk. When I entered, he looked up and tensed. He left the documents he was holding and stood up. I thought about how unfair it is to feel attracted to a person who can't stand you. I could see in his eyes the hatred he felt for me. Apparently, he is, after all, among the people who believe all the rumors about me. But I haven't done anything and I won't let anyone treat me like that.

Zander POV

I was busy when Amelia Anderson burst into my office. I didn't expect her, I imagined what her reaction would be, when she found out that I had no intention of participating in the engagement, but I didn't expect her to come to my house. Her appearance made me feel defiled. The woman who had a relationship with the people, responsible for my parents's disappearance, and was probably an accomplice, was currently being at their home. The hatred I felt for all of them rose in me with full force and I didn't even bother to hide it.I would have killed her on the spot if it won't have interfered with my main goal, which was to uncover the Owens's affairs and send them to prison, along with all their accomplices. Even that would not bring me peace, nothing was the same anymore.

I got up from my chair and went to stand in front of her. I looked at her in disgust. I wanted her to say what she had to say and to leave my house. "Pour out your poison and get out of my lands." She jumped, hearing my tone. Good. I wanted even an ounce of doubt to not remain about how undesirable her presence was.

"Who do you think you are? You think your behavior is fair, just because you believe some rumors. Well, guess what, no one has the right to behave that way. I thought you were smarter..."

"Did you finished?" With each her word, I became more and more angrier. We had never talked like that before, never been so close, and that was telling enough. "I don't need rumors to judge a woman who hasn't found time to communicate with us for years, but comes as soon as it bothers her. Go back to the hole you crawled out of, go to your friends, the Owens family." I took another step toward her, "And never allow yourself to set foot on my lands again."

My nerves stretched to the extreme when I heard her ringing laughter. "Your logic is unarguable, mr. Robinson. If I haven't paid attention to you so far, that makes me a criminal, or at least an accomplice to criminals. Well done! Now I understand why Charles is trying to settle your marriage for you."

I could hardly wait for her to finish, and in my anger, I grabbed and twisted her right arm behind her back. I moved my face inches from hers and said through gritted teeth, "Listen, you scum, my parents had disappeared because of the people you welcome into your home. The very fact that I didn't kill you the moment you step on my doorstep should make you happy. Now get out of my sight." I almost spat out my last words. I released her hand, using enough force to push her against the door, and returned to my desk. I stayed with my back to her and stared out the window. Blood was pounding in my ears. As angry as I was, I couldn't hit a woman, even if she deserved it. At such moments, I regretted that my mother had raised me that way. Jackson Owens certainly has no such scruples.

I heard footsteps approaching and my body tensed to it's limit. "I know it hurts, but no matter how hard it is for you to accept it, I have nothing to do with the disappearance of your parents. I'm sorry about what happened, but you have no right to punish me without proof. This is the last time , in which you avoid consequences behaving like that with me, remember it. One piece of advice from me. If you want to get to the truth, don't close your eyes to it."

Then I only heard the door opened and closed and the silence enveloped me.