Distracted from her thoughts, Maitland pointed off towards the tower. “There is no door on the tower,” she said. “It is leaning on the wall just inside the entry. He went to take a look to see if it could be hung.”
Thomas nodded, his attention shifting to the big side of pork. “We may have a problem with this,” he said. “We can build a fire, but we didn’t bring any iron rods or spit forks with us. If you want this side roasting over a fire, then we’re going to have to find something that will support it.”
Maitland turned to look at Artus and Queenie, still standing where they had left them, now watching everything that was going on with both interest and suspicion.
“I have a feeling they might not be so forthcoming with such things,” she muttered, turning back to Thomas. “In fact, they might not even like us searching for them. If I distract them, can your men hunt round on the other side of this outbuilding? There has to be a kitchen yard around here. You might find what you’re looking for.”
Thomas pursed his lips, as if not thrilled by her suggestion. “That boy has a big stick,” he pointed out. “I will be very unhappy if he uses it on you.”
Maitland fought off a grin. “Trust me,” she said. “If he uses it on me, it will be a very painful lesson for him. I am not beyond taking the stick from him and whacking him across his arse.”
Thomas grinned, flashing that big dimple in his left cheek. “I believe you,” he said. “Then you distract them and we shall see what we can find.”
Maitland nodded and headed off, back to where Artus and Queenie were still standing. She tried to angle herself to stand over towards the tower so that when they looked at her, their backs would be to Thomas and his men as they snuck around the side of the outbuildings. As she hoped, Artus’ gaze followed her until she came to a halt and, in her periphery, she could see Thomas and his men on the move.
“Artus,” Maitland said. “I wonder if you will tell me how old you are.”
Artus still had the stick, but it was down at his side now. “Why do ye want tae know?”
“Because I should like to be friendly with you. Won’t you tell me?”
He eyed her. “I canna tell ye.”
“Why not?”
“Because I dunna know.”
Maitland nodded, looking at him closely. “I would say you are at least ten years of age,” she said. “Have you always been here, at Edenside?”
Artus nodded reluctantly. “As long as I can remember,” he said. “Ye said Kelso Abbey sent ye?”
“I did.”
“Why?”
Maitland thought carefully on her answer. “Because I was told that some terrible people did terrible things to the children here,” she said. “I am an honest woman and I only want to help. So, they asked me to come and make sure the children of Edenside have the best of care.”
Artus seemed to be more and more indecisive on his hostile stance. He looked at Queenie, who was so drunk that she could hardly stand, before returning his attention to Maitland.
“What do ye intend tae do?” he asked.
Maitland hoped they were making some progress. “The first thing I intend to do is make sure you have a hot meal,” she said. “And then I intend to make sure you have clothing that is warm and a warm bed. Where do you sleep now?”
Thomas pointed to the outbuilding. “There.”
“Why not the tower?”
“Because it doesna have a door.”
Maitland nodded. “I saw,” she said. “My brother is going to try and fix it.”
Artus strained to look around her, where a big knight was in the doorway of the tower, looking at the hinges. “That’s yer brother?”
“Aye.”
“He’s aSassenach?”
Maitland smiled. “So am I,” she said. “Mayhap that makes me different from the Scots who were cruel to you. I promise I will never be cruel to you and I hope that you will believe me someday.
