“Oh, come now,” Avornis exclaimed. Her cheerful disbelief rising like half a sun without its senses.
“It is true,” Beatrice pushed. “Lord Erestor has a little heart shaped birthmark on his right hip, right below where his leggings lay.” And she handed off a clean and folded linen for Avorndis to properly place in the linen closet.
“Well, if he does, this is something you must keep to yourself Beatrice. It would be most embarrassing if he finds out you know. Or tell anyone.” Avorndis placed the bed linen up high on top of another, smoothing it out, before turning round for another sheet. “Remember just because you know something, does not mean everyone else should know.” And it was then both females came to an immediate stop with their task, looking at the one person whom they were gossiping about.
“Good morning Lord Erestor,” Avorndis addressed with politeness, while Beatrice stopped, stared and merely gave a half hearted smile. Had he overheard Beatrice, or merely happened to walk by? Neither could tell.
Nodding to both, “Arinya Are,” he announced bidding them an early morning of sunshine. Then glancing Beatrice’s way, “What do you know?,” Erestor asked her directly.
Keeping her face neutral, “Not much. Nothing in particular today,” Beatrice stated, wishing she knew what Erestor had perhaps overheard. She turned within polite reasoning, fumbling, fiddling with yet another clean bed linen.
“Gardening today Beatrice?,” asked Erestor. Of course he had heard, however he wished to downplay this bit of information as much as possible. No need to let everyone in all at once he thought. And Beatrice needed some assistance with her garden anyway. Better now when the weather was crisp and light.
Her face came into a full smile just then, “Of course.” Then a second thought attacked her, “Just as soon as I brush my teeth, I’ll be ready.” Being overly burdened with child, Beatrice had consented to letting Erestor help with her weeding. Funny, her teeth brushing didn’t ruin Avorndis’s day.
A slight hhmmph from Erestor, then, “Good. Then go brush, I’m ready now,” and he turned. Beginning to walk away, Erestor turned back, “Meet me by the South courtyard. You have ten minutes. Or I leave without you. And it looks like you need assistance today,” as he looked over Beatrice’s high protruding abdomen, as she began waddling off.
Watching Beatrice amble off, bidding her abdomen lead the way, Erestor then turned his full attention to Avorndis.
“My birthmark is in the shape of a diamond. Not a heart, as Beatrice thought she saw.”
Leaving Avorndis to nod, return half a smile, Erestor left her to contemplate and mull over that little bit of personal information. He strode his way down the corridor toward the South courtyard, smiling in satisfaction to no one in particular but himself.
