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Toby shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not sure why I did it. I suppose it was because she asked so sweetly and it sounded important. She told me you wouldn’t mind.”
“You fool. Don’t you realize what you did?”
“I only delivered missives.”
“Aye, missives asking the knights to escort the ladies to the great hall this morning. And I’m sure the message to Lord Beaufort was asking him to seat them all together at the dais.”
“Ooooh, I see,” said Toby. “Sorry about that, my lord. But mayhap, Willow’s reason for doing this was because you said neither of them was talking to you, being so angry with you and all.”
“Thank you for pointing that out. From now on, if you do anything, and I mean anything at all for Lady Willow without my knowledge of it first, I will have you flayed. Do you understand?”
“Aye, my lord. Are you going to go down to the great hall and demand they let you escort them instead?”
The thought crossed his mind. Actually, he also had ideas about throwing a few good punches at Sir Chester, and then Sir George and then Sir Chester again. But he wouldn’t. Instead, he needed to figure out just what Willow was doing.
“Nay,” said Conrad. “I am going to let the girls stew in the trouble they are brewing. They’ll come running back to me when Sir George and Sir Chester frighten them.”
“What if they don’t?” asked Toby. “What if the ladies enjoy being with the barons more than they like being with you?”
That made Conrad think. Hadn’t Willow said something about him not wanting them, and now they were with the barons? What had he done? His sister was hurt and angry overhearing what he said about her, and Willow was acting so odd he didn’t know what she was thinking. Willow made the comment that she was going to find the thief and get the ruby returned to Earl Alnwick. He was curious how she thought she was going to accomplish that task. Mayhap, he’d sit back and just watch for a while as things unfolded. He’d watch from a distance, but still stay close enough to step in at the first sign of trouble.
“Toby, I don’t know what Lady Willow is up to, but I can guarantee you whatever it is, it’s dangerous, stupid, ridiculous, and I’m not going to like it.”
“Shall we stop her?” asked Toby.
“Nay,” answered Conrad. “Lady Willow is sly and cunning, but she is also naïve. That is what scares me.”
“Do you think the knights will try to take advantage of her?”
“They try anything, and mark my words, I will step in and stop it before it begins. The last thing I want is for anything to happen to either of the two women who mean something to me.”
“I’ve never heard you talk this way before,” said Toby.
“That’s because I’ve never met anyone like Lady Willow before, and I doubt I ever want to again.”
* * *
Willow’s planwas working beautifully. She not only managed to make Conrad jealous, but she also secured a spot next to Sir Chester during the meal. This was her time to question him and find out if he could possibly be the one who stole the earl’s ruby.
“Lady Willow, we were surprised to get your missive this morning,” said Chester.
“Aye,” agreed Sir George from next to him. “It’s such a pleasure to escort you ladies to the dais table.”
“We appreciate it, don’t we Lady Hazel?” Willow asked, trying to pull the shy girl into the conversation.
“We do,” said Hazel.
Willow saw Conrad enter the great hall with his squire. All the seats at the dais were taken since Willow brought the barons, so there was nowhere for Conrad to sit. He said something to his squire and then walked straight up to the dais. Willow sat next to Sir Chester on one side, and Lord Beaufort’s wife, Lady Ernestine, on the other. Earl Alnwick was on the other side of Lord Beaufort.
“Good morning, Earls,” said Conrad approaching the raised table.
“Lochwood, it seems your spot has been taken,” said Beaufort. “Perhaps, we can make room for you at the table if we all squeeze in.”
“No need.” Conrad raised a hand. “Everyone seems quite comfortable. I wouldn’t want to upset that.” His eyes flashed over to Willow. She quickly looked the other way. “Did you find the thief who stole the ruby?” asked Conrad.
“Nay, not yet,” answered Earl Alnwick. “But I’m not giving up hope.”
“That’s right,” said Beaufort. “Everyone who hasn’t been searched yet will be searched today before the competition continues.”
