"And what if I did do it? What would you do?"
"There is nothing I can do because simply going to the laird will be useless as I’ll be believed as one of the gossips who dislike you."
Gawain said nothing after as he stared at the girl in front of him. Could he even trust her? Was he ready to take a risk? She does not believe the rumors, which would mean she was not easily swayed. She did seem to be the type who knew how to keep her mouth shut. Otherwise, Emer would have found out what Gawain was doing with her sister seeing that Ida was the only one who stumbled across them in the garden the previous night.
Even if she hadn't told Emer, she should have told a fellow maid or a guard, and rumors should have started flying around, but Gawain had not heard anything since he woke up. She could keep her mouth shut, but could she assist him with his findings.
He had no one else to rely on other than Davinia, and there were still limits to how much she could mingle with the maids. Still, if he chose someone who was already amongst them, even if she would not get him exactly what he needed, she could bring him just the right number of clues. He just had to take the risk.
"Ida?" She turned back to him, and he waved her over. "I need ye to do something fer me."
"Of course, what is it?"
"A few days ago, someone tried to kill me. It was raining, and Davinia and I ran from the vegetable garden. We took shelter by one of the walls with an extended roof. There was a window above us, and Davinia told me it was the window of the abandoned store. The window opened when we were under it, and someone pushed a pot full of sand down at us before shutting the window. Having escaped that, Davinia mentioned that her key to the store was gone."
"So, it had to be a maid." Gawain nodded at her thinking. "Ye want me to find out who it was? Has the key not been returned?"
"Unfortunately, nae yet, which leads me to think they might still have something in mind after their first plan was foiled. Is that something ye can do fer me, Ida?"
"Of course, sir. Why would a maid try such a thing? It is simply absurd." Gawain cracked a small smile at her reaction. "I’ll let you ken the moment I find out about anything, sir. Be rest assured."
"Thank ye. Ye get to work, tell me where Flora is."
"In her chambers." Gawain frowned but nodded. He almost sent Ida off until he thought of the consequences. Flora wanted to see him in her chambers? If he did not have a valid witness, the woman could twist and turn the whole story to benefit her and whatever plan she had up her sleeve.
But did she and Scott not share a chamber? Perhaps Scott was the type to keep concubines, and each woman had a night in his chambers. Gawain choked back a laugh. If Flora settled for that, then she was truly unlucky that was not the favorite. Ida looked back at her master but said nothing as she led him into the hallway where the guests were staying. She was about to turn back when they got to the door, but Gawain grabbed her arm, having her stay with him as he knocked on the door.
The door cracked open, and a maid peeked out before booming the door wider for Gawain. "Lady Flora requests to see ye alone, sir."
"Tell yer lady that if she doesnae come out here and tell me what she wants. I’ve a busy day today." The maiden reeled back shocked but was saved the trouble of speaking when Flora dismissed her to talk to Gawain herself.
"Sir Gawain, good morning. I ken ye must be tired from all the work ye did last night so please forgive me request. I want to go into the village today, and I need protection. According to me husband, Sir Hector was left in a bad shape, and I fear the same might happen to me."
"Yer fear is understood. I’ll have me brother find ye some escorts." Gawain turned to leave and was stopped by the lady.
"Nae. I’ll nae feel safe with inexperienced guards following me about so if ye do nae mind, I would like it if ye were the one who came with me." Gawain sighed, turning back to face her.
"I’m sincerely apologetic, me lady, but I cannae escort ye into the village because I’ve work of me own to focus on."
"Surely ye can push it aside fer a few hours. Just until noon?" She gave him a small smile which he returned with less sincerity.
"I’m sorry, me lady, but the laird needs me to report before noon. But donnae worry, I’ll select a few experienced guards to escort ye. Ye have nae problem, me lady." Her face fell as his smile grew wider. "If that is all, I shall take me leave. Duty beckons." Gawain gave her a full bow before he hurried off with his maid fast behind him.
He had just saved himself from whatever Flora had planned and hopefully she couldn't think of another vile plan any time soon.
Chapter Twenty
Gawain hurried down the stairs when he sighted a handful of guards at the landing. He called out to them but was ignored until he managed to grab one by the shoulder.
"Do nae touch me!" The guard hissed, earning an eye roll from Gawain, who still took his hand off the guard. "What do ye want?"
"First, some respect would nae kill ye. Not even a superior which I’m but as an equal, but that aside, I need to find the team of men who assisted me with the fire last night."
"The fire ye started, eh? Well, I can make help ye with that."
"It is an order from the laird."
"Ye lie!"
