Another start (Isabella, Gisborne, Roe, Morgan)

[Eveline Gosford]

Eveline rode into the castle courtyard on her flagging chestnut mare. On either side of her rode a man in her livery of green and gold and there were another seven with each of the two wagons which carried her possessions. Her two maids rode on the first of wagons.
Once at the foot of the steps, Eveline slid gracefully from her horse's back and threw her reins to a waiting groom. She then pulled off her gloves and undid her cape, which Agnes took from her with a curtsy.
The marquise had then only to wait for the welcome she was sure the prince would have prepared for her.

[Isabella]

As the eldest noblewoman in the castle, it was Isabella's task to welcome visitors. She had done so before with Lady Honeysuckle Herron, but she was surprised at just how many people were coming to Nottingham in recent times. It seemed that everyone had a link to the town. She did not dislike greeting the guests; in fact, she observed them with interest, trying to work out where they were from and why exactly they were here. With the beautiful young Lady Herron, at least, there was more to her story than met the eye. Isabella wondered who this Eveline Gosford was. The name seemed familiar, but it was only the ghost of a memory that made it so.
Isabella entered the courtyard to see the woman in question, surrounded by a horde of servants unpacking her belongings. She went down the steps towards her and curtseyed politely as a means of greeting.
"Lady Gosford," she said, "Allow me to welcome you to Nottingham. I am Lady Isabella Thornton."

[Roe]

Roe was always interested at the comings and goings at the castle. In this case, it was obviously a noble who was coming. As such, he knew it was Isabella's responsibility to welcome this new personage. That made it even more enjoyable for Roe to watch, for it allowed him to watch Isabella in action without having to directly involve himself. He watched Bella descend the steps and welcome a young woman to the castle .... it appeared. Lady Gosford she was introduced as .... by her age she had to be the one referred to as Eviline.

This morning Roe was supervising a contingent of guards as they prepared to conduct their normal rounds. Roe, now, reconsidered his previous instructions. He assigned a small cadre to break off and go down and assist the Lady Gosford's servants, since they may not .... probably would not .... have a good idea where exactly they would be going. His guards also might pick up some useful intelligence from a servant who talked a bit too much, such as a general accounting of the goods and treasures that they might be carrying and what there next destination might be. This could be ueful information to pass on to Robin and the rest of the outlaws, specially if the Lady Gosford's convoy was to pass near or through Sherwood. They could relieve them of some of their heavy burden and distibute it tothe poorer classes of the shire.

After Isabella had finished welcoming the visitors and they had exchanged introductions, Roe moved down the steps and introduced himself and his purpose. "May I add to the welcome to Nottingham, Lady Gosford. My french title is a bit too long for informal introductions. I am known simply as Sir Rober' and am in charge of one of the detachments of guards in the castle. I am assigning a small group of my guards to assist in the unpacking and movement of your belongings to your quarters. Primarily they will serve as guides to those areas, since your servants may be somewhat unfamiliar with the castle. If you are of a need for the assistance in the actual moving they will be glad to assist if requested. We are, after all, here to serve, to make your stay with us a pleasant one," he said nodding with deference to the lady noble.

[Eveline Gosford]

Eveline dipped a shallow, perfunctory curtsey, they were equals after all, and then started up the steps towards the other woman.
"I am very pleased to be here, Lady Thornton," she smiled, sweeping her straying auburn hair off of her forehead. "I presume the prince, God keep him, asked you to arrange a room for me?"

[Isabella]

Isabella was pleased to see the tall figure of Roe overseeing the guards when he introduced himself to the visitor. Even if she was not meant to know him and therefore they could not speak to one another, she liked him being around. As Lady Gosford came up the steps, she turned around to join the noblewoman, and gave Roe a quick smile no-one would notice unless they were looking for it.
"Yes, I will show you to your chamber presently," Isabella agreed, continuing up the steps towards the castle entrance, "It is situated on the upper levels. I hope that your journey here was a pleasant one?"

[Eveline Gosford]

"Not exactly," laughed Eveline. "From Kent to Nottingham is a long journey. And J-- the prince had written to warn me not to use the Great North Road through your forest here, so I instructed my men to take the carts across meadow, which did not please them." She halted and turned back to the small horde of liveried servants.

"Wilhelm!"
"Ja, meine dame?" said a handsome, blond-haired youth, stepping out of the throng.
"Überwachen Harold," she told him sternly, looking pointedly at the guards now joining the swarm.

"Now, tell me," she said with a smile that lit her face, continuing up the steps with Lady Thornton. "How is our darling prince?"

[Isabella]

Isabella was interested at once in Lady Gosford. She had almost referred to the prince by his first name, and she could also speak German. From what little Isabella knew, she guessed that she had told Wilhelm to watch over Harold. She did not know what exactly that meant, though. Instead of asking about that, Isabella answered the lady's question.
"The prince is in good health," she replied, adding good-humouredly, "Although I doubt that Nottingham matches quite the same level of excitement as London."

[Eveline Gosford]

"Excitement." Eveline shook her head as though she thought the prince an idiot to seek such a thing. She considered remedying the younger woman's ignorant ways, but left it be. "And what of Prince John's temperment? Is he happy here or does he long to be back in London? Also, how much time does he spend with Sheriff Vasey?"

[Isabella]

This Lady Gosford was certainly full of questions when it came to Prince John. Isabella wondered why she was being so forward in asking about him, and why she expected her to know all of the answers. Besides, one question at a time should be enough for anyone. She decided not to go into particulars. If she wanted to know about the prince, she could talk to him later and go through it then with him.
"I am afraid that I could not say," Isabella replied evasively, "We have given him the warmest welcome in Nottingham, but I could see why he might want to return to the city. And as for Sheriff Vasey, I do not converse with him a great deal at present. I am sure that Prince John will want to welcome you to Nottingham, and naturally, the Sheriff will too. Perhaps you can make your own assessment of the situation then."

[Eveline Gosford]

Eveline let out a growl of frustration and turned to face the other woman.
"Evidently, you have never been at a court before. It is not customary to show even the most favoured of courtiers, like myself, into our lord's presence without giving them fair warning of the lord's current disposition."
Honestly, she thought, doesn't this woman know anything? She acts as though she doesn't even know who I am.

[Roe]

Roe could see that Bella was getting into a ticklish situation involving protocol with this noble. It appeared to be even more sensitive given her close relationship with the Prince. "Mademoiselle, as I need not remind you, that this in not London, and not court, at least not in the traditional sense. Perhaps one of the reasons that the Prince visits here is to avoid some of those constraints of protocol. Additionally, he may prefer this place in order to give himself a layer of privacy. Is it not wise, for Lady Isabella here to protect the Prince from all interruptions, even from as elevated and distinguished a courtier as yourself? The Prince will be made aware of your presence, if he has not already been made aware. I am sure he will ask you to attend him at the proper time, no?," he inquired with a nod to the noble, and a brief look to Isabella.

[Eveline Gosford]

Eveline spun on the ball of her right foot to face the captain of the guard. On her face was her most charming and ingratiating crocodile smile.
"You must forgive me, my good sir," she said with a gracious curtsey. "I am tired from my journey and, therefore, somewhat short-tempered. Also, it is fairly annoying that returning to my lord prince's side means coming all the way to Nottingham. However, his every whim is my command." Her smile turned to more of grimace for a moment, but then returned more sincerely than before.
"I am sorry, if I have discomforted either of you. Now, I would be much obliged if you would lead on to my chamber."

[Roe]

Roe quickly recognized that this woman was greatly experienced in matters of court, and most likely in the politics of court. He knew he must tread very carefully and use all of his negotiating skills, such as they were. "There is nothing to forgive. Besides, I may have spoken out of turn and place, and perhaps it is I who should ask for your forgiveness," he said with a nod of his head. "My responsibility is to defend and protect, and assist when necessary. I would expect that that is something Lady Isabella would wish to direct. However, if it is desired I would be pleased and honored to lead you to the guest quarters. If not, I wish you a pleasant stay." Roe brought himself and his small contingent of guards to attention, awaiting his instructions.

[Isabella]

Isabella was beginning to feel very uncomfortable. Lady Gosford had only been here five minutes, and already she was proving herself a force to be reckoned with. She was older than herself, and evidently used to wrangling with the politics of a life at court, as she had reminded her. Isabella realised that this lady could become a real problem to her; if she presented herself poorly now, she might make a very bad enemy.
She was just about to work out what to say when Roe spoke. She was extremely glad for his intervention, as it seemed to go some way to calming Lady Gosford down. She doubted that she would have been able to do that quite so tactfully on her own, and decided to thank him when the opportunity arose. Until that time, however, she gave him a grateful look, before fixing her gaze back on the short-tempered lady, awaiting her decision as to whether she wanted Roe to lead her to her room or not. She decided that, for the time being at least, it was best to keep her mouth shut.

[Eveline Gosford]

"My, my. What would the prince say? I handsome knight leading me to my bedchamber..." She smirked at him. "I will take your proffered escort, sir. But first I really feel the need to eat."