Chapter 41: Caught (2)
For Laura, Delilah’s offer was something she would have to be a fool to let pass If she worked with another maid, she could keep an eye on where Annalise was while she went into the room to get the dress. There was no need for her to tell the other maid how much Delilah was paying her. She only needed to offer them about ten coins.
"I will do it. Will you be standing here for me to bring the dress to you?" Laura spoke softly, so no one would know of their plan.
"For someone to see that I have it? Of course not. I will be sitting in my carriage, so bring it as fast as you can and try not to be caught. You shall be paid right after," Delilah said, and then she walked out the front door to leave before anyone could see her with the maid.
If the maid did not come to her by a certain time she would leave since it could be assumed that the maid had gotten caught.
Delilah did want Rafael or Giselle to hear that she was so jealous of Annalise that she was sending another maid to steal the dress. She would leave before the maid was caught and deny putting her up to it. Surely, it would be believable to anyone that the maid was jealous of Annalise and looking for someone to blame for her actions.
Laura watched Delilah walk to her carriage and then ran to find Tanya, who would accept keeping an eye on Annalise for a few coins. Plus, Tanya would never expose her for taking the dress since they were good friends.
She ran to the kitchen, keeping an eye out for Mavis, who would scold her for leaving her duty. Laura had a feeling that if she told Mavis what she was up to, she would be in on taking the dress from Annalise, but then she would have to give Mavis more money than she was willing to give Tanya.
Laura stood by the doorway to the kitchen and peered inside to see if Mavis or Edwin were there. By some luck, there was only the head cook ordering around the maids and the cooks below him. He was distracted enough for her to grab Tanya’s hand and pull her out of the kitchen without any greetings.
"What are you doing, Laura? Shouldn’t you be sweeping the foyer? Mavis is not in a good mood. What is it?" Tanya asked since Laura wore a big smile like something good had happened.