Matilda paced back and forth in her rooms. Her 'dear' uncle had locked her in with only her old nurse after getting rid of all of her ladies-in-waiting. Matilda just could not stand the prospect of allowing her uncle to treat her in this abhorrent manner. She needed to do something. She needed to escape. She needed her love, Robert to come rescue her.
As she circled trying to consider how best to slip a message out to her beloved, her nurse entered with food and drink. "Come here, my dear." The nurse said with a sly smile. "I have news for ye."
"What?" Matilda said coming to her side quickly. "Is there a way out of here?"
"Aye." The nurse replied, lowering her voice. "I heard a rumor that Lord Robert is living in the woods nearby with a band of men. They be planning to oust your uncle and hold this place till the Duke returns."
"Really? He is that close?" Matilda was excited. Her love, her fair Robert, would come for her!
The nurse continued. "I can get you out of the castle tonight when his Lordship and men have their dinner. They also carouse, drink, and wench till all hours. No one is likely to notice you have slipped out. One of the stable boys will take you to his Lordship."
Matilda hugged the old woman. "Oh Thank you! Thank you!" She sang.
The nurse looked a bit embarrassed. "Go on with you" She said. "Pack some few things you will need."
That night, the nurse let Matilda out of her rooms and snuck her down the backstairs to a waiting horse and wagon. Matilda lay down in the wagon and was covered with clothe and hay.
After what seemed an endless bumpy ride, the lady found herself unceremoniously pushed out of the wagon onto the ground. A man dressed in green and red stood over her. "Who is this?" He asked the boy who had driven her. "Lady Matilda, sir."
The lady in question furious at being ignored rose up from the ground to confront the brute who had knocked her down. "I am Lady Matilda of the House of Mercia and I am under the protection of Sir Robert of Isley." She told him in her most imperial tones.
The man quirked an eyebrow at her and shared a laughing smirk with the boy. "Are you now?" He asked.
"Yes, and I demand you take me to him at once."
The man cocked his head and then with a laugh and a courtly bow said. "Right this way, My Lady"
Matilda was not certain whether he was mocking her but didn't care so long as she could see Robert.