"Aye. And take the position fer himself."
"No!"
"Yes! He's nae even the first child, and he wants to go about like he is. The old Laird banished him never to come back, or he would be executed."
Davinia was starting to get annoyed at the nasty things they were saying and decided to show herself. Just as she entered the store, the girls fell quiet, each watching with wide eyes as they knew they had been caught. Before Davinia could open her mouth, another voice took over the scolding for her.
"Really? Is that all ye heard?" Davinia turned behind her to see Hector entering the kitchen as well, his lips set in a tight frown. “Did ye hear about how he took wee girls from their sleep and fed them to swine? Or about how he took one of the elders hostage just so they could give him the position of Laird?" Hector raised a brow at the girls who bowed their heads, hands tucked behind their backs. “Nae, of course nae. All ye ken are rumors, and they will continue to be rumors. While the rest are hard at work trying to earn their keep, ye three decide to huddle together like chickens in winter and spread nasty rumors. In me opinion, yer keep should be reduced fer this. Or better still, ye three should be kicked out of the castle fer daring to slander the name of the laird's own kin."
"Nae, please have mercy!" The first girl fell on her keeps, and the others followed suit. "We only came to the store to bring some more vegetables to the cook." Davinia shook her head, their story was obviously a farce.
"Ye have still insulted the laird's family, and I assure ye, he will hear about this. Now scurry off and do some actual work." The girls bowed their heads as they ran after each other out of the store. "Every corner ye turn to, there's always a new rumor flying about." Hector turned to Davinia, who bowed her head in respect.
"Thank ye fer stepping in. I do nae think I would have been able to do as well as ye did. Thank ye."
"Nae, I’ve done nothing worth thanking. I only did what any sensible person would do. Ye were about to do the same yerself." Davinia nodded before looking in the direction the girls had run off to. She knew for a fact those girls had gathered to continue their badmouthing somewhere else." I can see that ye did nae like all the gossiping."
She nodded once again. "Everyone likes good gossip but not when horrible things are being said about a person."
"Sir Gawain's presence in the castle during these short few hours has made a lot of people uneasy. Mostly the guards. Though it seems as if the Laird will address it during the main event."
"But why not sooner?" Hector shrugged, sending Davinia into worry. "They all avoid and speak of him as if he were a criminal. He might not say it, but I ken it hurts him. It would hurt anybody, being picked apart by yer own clan."
"Ye speak so freely about Sir Gawain's emotions. How close were ye two exactly? I only ask because I’m curious about how ye talk as if ye two are friends. Ye must be very close."
"I do nae need to be close to a person to ken when something is wrong. These maids gossiping has made me realize that Gawain is being stigmatized by the clan, which shouldn't be."
"And ye’re willing to fight fer him. Gawain, eh?" Davinia flushed. “He has permitted ye to call him by name?"
"I’ve always called him by name. He was me lord, but he was also me friend." Hector nodded before he reached out to take Davinia's hand to place a small kiss on the back of it. Davinia resisted the urge to pull away, not wanting to be rude.
"Ye are a pure soul, Davinia. I wish there were as many as ye." Hector released her hand only to step closer to her.
His movement slightly startled her and reminded her of the scene with Gawain in his chambers. The only thing that was missing was the nubile desire she felt for Gawain. Hector moved further in but she inched away from his face.
His hand culled her face just as a cough came from the entrance of the store, causing them both to jump apart.
* * *
Gawain stood by the entrance, watching the couple while his blood boiled. How he despised Hector at the moment? He was Davinia's lover as well as his brother's right hand, what more could Hector snatch from him? He glared at Hector, who averted his eyes as he excused himself, speeding away from the store as fast as he could. Gawain directed his glare to Davinia, who fidgeted with the side of her skirts, looking everywhere but Gawain.
"Ye should have told me that ye had a lover. I would have never overstepped me boundaries earlier. Please, accept me apologies." Davinia looked up at him, clearly surprised.
"Nae, ‘tis nae what ye think it is. I do nae have anyone in me life. Hector is like an elder brother to me. He keeps an eye out fer all of us."
Gawain scoffed, crossing his arms across his chest. “I’m nae blind. I ken what I saw."
"And I’m telling ye that ye misinterpreted it. He only stepped in fer me when I tried to scold some maids who were bad-mouthing ye. He sent them off, and I was thanking him."
"Then why did ye run away from me?"
"I was startled."
"Really? Ye were startled? Am I to believe that to be the truth?"
"‘Tis the truth, Gawain! Ye surprised me. First with the ribbon—"
"Ye even took it off."
