Honeysuckle's Nottingham Debut.

[Honeysuckle Herron]

Honeysuckle found herself being lead to the Great Hall by two guards, who told her to wait there until someone came to see her.

Pacing the room, her heels clicked softly against the flagstone flooring as she waited, her nerves a big messy knot in her stomach, wondering who they would send to greet her, praying that it would not be Guy of Gisborne, she had heard nothing but horror stories about him.

Looking around the room, she marvelled at the tapestries hanging on the walls, admirering the intricate needlework on them.

[Isabella]

Isabella strode into the Great Hall, her scarlet dress sweeping around her. She spotted the young woman there at once – though she thought that she was little more than a girl. Her honey-coloured hair and bright eyes made her very pretty. The exact opposite of Isabella’s comparative age, raven hair and ebony eyes. Isabella walked towards her and curtseyed politely.
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” she greeted, “My name is Lady Thornton.”
She hated using her married name, but it was only good manners to. She only hoped that this girl was better-behaved than some of the other nobles in Nottingham.

[Honeysuckle Herron]

Honeysuckle turned, her eyes sweeping the woman before her up and down.

"Hello. I am Honeysuckle Herron. Have you been sent to greet me?"

The girl bowed her head politely, leaving her stance in front of the tapestry.

[Lord Kensington Herron]

Lord Kensington pulled up to the castle and smiled to himself. It had been a while since he had seen this castle up close. He jumped off of his horse and walked up to the door, walking inside as if he owned the place. Prince John wouldn't of minded. His thoughts were stopped by a voice.

So she had made it here then? Good. She wasn't going to disappoint him again. He did not have a disappointment as a daughter. She was meant to be perfect and then...Still, once she was married, she would be perfect.

He slowly walked over to the pair and nodded at Isabella. "Lord Kensington Herron. I believe you have met my daughter. Who has promised to make me happy. Correct?" he asked, turning to look at her with a steely glare.

[Honeysuckle Herron]

"Father?"

Honey frowned, she had not been expecting her father to be here so soon after her.

"You are here so soon. Is everything alright at home?"

[Lord Kensington Herron]

Lord Kensington saw the frown and almost smiled at the sincerity she seemed to feel towards him. Was it real? He wasn't sure anymore. She wasn't the child he had brought up. She wasn't his daughter. She was a wild girl who needed to be tamed.

"Everything is fine. The stable boy is out, as soon as you were. Stupid little boy shouldn't of crossed me. You, on the other hand, I am willing to forgive. I came to see my good friend, Prince John. I trust you are busy looking for a suitable husband," Lord Kensington replied, barely any emotion showing.

[Honeysuckle Herron]

"I have only just arrived father. I have not had time to meet anyone yet."

Looking at her father, she prayed he would believe her, after all, this was the truth. Even standing in the same room as him made Honey nervous, and she wrung her hands together.

[Lord Kensington Herron]

"Hmmm," Lord Kensington murmured, looking up and down at her with a steel look. "I suppose you are correct. Well, I hope it will not take you too long. I am sure your mother would not like to hear that you have disobeyed us again."

He walked over to the window and glanced out at the peasants below. "I hardly know who you are. I am surprised you have not run off with a peasant, the way you have been acting."

[Honeysuckle Herron]

"I am sorry father. I did not mean to disappoint you."

She felt herself pleading with him, almost begging for his forgiveness. Joining him at the window she looked otu at the people also.

"I will not marry unless you approve father."

[Lord Kensington Herron]

"You are sorry!" Lord Kensington exclaimed, letting out a harsh laugh. "If you were sorry, you would never have done it in the first place! You are not sorry. You disappoint me. I expected better of you. This is your mother's doing. She has filled your head with these silly thoughts of love. It is not about love. It is about what is right."

He sighed, looking at her with a frown. "I doubt that. If you wanted to marry a peasant, you would, just to spite me. What did I do to make you hate me so? I am surprised you are not joining that gang that Prince John dispises. Then you would be nothing to me."

[Honeysuckle Herron]

"I swear to you, I will do nothing without your approval from now on. Please, father. I do not do these things to anger you. You must believe me."

She grabbed his hand, begging with him now, more than ready to grovel for his forgiveness.

[Lord Kensington Herron]

Lord Kensington watched her as she took hold of his hand. He could see the look in her eyes. She meant it, it appeared. His scowl turned into a frown. She wanted him to forgive her. Maybe she was still his daughter after everything that happened. Maybe she was.

"You swear?" Lord Kensington asked, taking hold of both of her hands and looking her straight in the eyes.

[Honeysuckle Herron]

"I swear. I will do anything you ask of me from this very second. I will marry whoever you wish me to. All I ask in return is your forgiveness father."

Her eyes flicked up, meeting his, the honesty of her words and intentions clear in them.

[Lord Kensington Herron]

Lord Kensington sighed and nodded. "Ok. I forgive you. Because I can see you are speaking true to me. You have my forgiveness. I just want what is best for you. You understand that don't you? Only what's best for you."

Lord Kensington paused, deciding whether to tell her the other reason he was here. "Your mother has gone away for a while. To visit family. So, she sent me here."

[Honeysuckle Herron]

"I understand father."

She nodded obdiently, her eyes lowering to the floor.

"Mother has gone away? She is not ill is she?"