It wasn't as if it were a hard thing to spread rumors. Over time, William had become a master at it. It also helped that he had never been one much for complete honesty. There was an addiction in telling the basic truth with just enough twist to tempt the imagination of those who desired something a bit more interesting. If people wanted a good story, they would make for themselves a good story, no matter what it took.
It usually took time, and that was fine. William needed time to establish himself as the new miller.
The mill Linda had taken him to was a fine old place, simple but of high quality. Much like the one he had owned before the king had forced him out of that sort of business. And Wheat Hill was a good place, small, just the sort of people that needed an adventure.
Rina Wood, the widow, ran the small tavern that didn't account to much more than a long table and the tools to make the right sort of ale that did prove tasty. William had never been much of a drinker, but the townsmen liked the place and whatever people liked was usually the place to spread half-truths.
Besides, Lake and Jaybird were getting along fine. Jaybird was instantly a hit with the local girls–not that he did much of anything, but he knew when to go to chop wood. Jaybird knew how to coax the trees into letting themselves go, but the truth was that a little hard labor is what the girls liked to see, so Jaybird happily gave it to them. He flirted and he taunted, and the girls squealed with delight. He did their errands and they brought him fresh bread they had made or berries they had picked.
William always smiled to see that go on. Heaven forbid if the boy ever got truly close to a girl.
Lake would have proven just as much a flirt if the town had offered a sizing of men around her age. But the gap wasn't allowed. The boys were either too young or too old, though Rina's boy Timber had taken a fancy to her. His leg had healed fine in several days, so he made it his business to follow the "angel lady" around.
William thought the boy was a pest, and so did his mother, but Lake thought he was simply adorable.
Beyond that, Lake made sure to bring up as often as possible how much she loved to spin. The townsfolk would either think her odd or dutiful, and thankfully most decided more on the latter and less on the former. And, every once in a while, she would put the word "gold" in close proximity of "spin."
Linda hadn't meant for it to go so far. Lake had come to her home to assist in grinding wheat. Lake had gone on and on about her spinning, how much she had done that morning. Then her brother had barged in, complaining that the girl had scattered straw from her mattress everywhere and that she would do well to pick it up soon. After that an argument had ensued between the siblings, him yelling about the straw and she calling her a golden-eyed freak.
She laughed about the incident to Rina, who then told it to her customers. It wasn't her fault that old Robert had wandered back into Wheat Hill. But if he were back, he had better pay his tab! He owed her money! He said something about seeking a treasure of gold.
William wasn't able to follow how the story had reached the city, but it happened. Several weeks of good, honest milling... was that really so much that the King's advisor had to meet with him? And that he was also to bring his lovely daughter with him?
Well, it happened with every place they came to, eventually.