As he approached the entrance of music-engulfed hall, he sighted Davinia. He shuddered slightly and instinctively began searching the room for Hector.
There he was, standing by some elders but fixated on Davinia as if in a trance.
Clenching his jaw, Gawain exhaled wholly and braced himself.
Chapter Twelve
Davinia held a maid by the shoulders, turning her around until the girl was facing a table of a few wealthy clan members. "That table, lass. Hurry up, we're already understaffed." Giving the maid a slight push, the girl balanced her tray of food as she headed toward the table. Davinia turned to the servants behind her, each one squabbling over the wine that was to be delivered to the Laird's table. Davinia recognized them easily, a boy, Zachary, and two girls Margret and Erica. Davinia could already feel a headache starting to form at their argument. Cutting between them, she took the tray from Erica, not saying a word but letting her annoyed stare sink into them.
Davinia, unfortunately, did not sleep as well as she would have wanted to. The thought of a certified man had kept her awake for the majority of the night. It seemed like every time she closed her eyes, she could smell the scent of roasted pine and sweat, she could hear his deep, rumbling voice call out her name, she could feel the muscles in his arms flexing ever so slightly when he wrapped them around her. She did not know how she would react around him tonight, but she hoped to at least keep herself on a leash in his presence.
As she evaded guests and servants at the feast, she swallowed the lump in her throat when she sighted Gawain taking his seat next to his brother, the seat often reserved for Hector. The Laird did not seem to be bothered, nor did Gawain know who actually owned the seat. Hector, on the other hand, took his seat next to Lady Flora.
If Davinia was honest, Lady Flora's presence intimidated her. She knew how much Gawain had loved her before this exile. It often made her heart ache every time she saw Gawain trailing after Flora all those years ago. He would have shifted mountains if Flora asked him to while Davinia stood in the background, praying that he somehow noticed her.
Davinia was unsure if Gawain's sudden interest was out of pity. She found no real reason for his attentions. With the way he had obsessed over Flora, Davinia did not think Flora’s betrayal would have changed his feelings. Flora was his type of woman, Davinia knew. Gawain liked experienced, petite women with curves larger than average. Davinia, on the other hand, was tall, slim, and obviously very innocent. His women were always of high caliber. She was only a housekeep at her clan's castle. But then again, he had always been very nice to her when he was at the castle. He brought back a silk ribbon for her because she had mentioned she was using Emer's old ones. He left her breathless every time they met, and he even sent her a flower during the day. A lovely thistle was left in the kitchen for her, and Davinia absolutely adored it.
There was a huge gap between them. It often got Davinia worked up.
Tonight, Gawain was either ignoring his brother or was completely lost in his thoughts as he nursed his cup of wine. He did not look up at her. Instead, he had his gaze fixed on his wine. Her sister, however, noticed her.
"Davinia! Here, set that down." Emer took the tray from her sister and set it down on the table. "Have a seat with us."
Davinia chuckled nervously, looking up at Gawain, who still hadn't looked at her, instead his gaze captivated by a blushing Flora. How could she have been so stupid? Watching the two for a few more moments, she started to reach her own conclusions when her sister called back her attention. Half the table had their concerned gaze on her as she let out another shaky laugh. "I...me apologies. I shall sit." She forced a smile as she took the last empty seat next to Hector. A cup of wine was soon pushed in front of her by her sister, but she raised her hand to decline.
"Aye, I ken ye do nae like alcohol, but this is the one I drink, and I certainly cannae have any while I’m with child. ‘Tis safe fer ye." Davinia nodded, taking the cup only to set it back down untouched as she looked up at Gawain only to find him finally looking at her.
Blue eyes held her captive, making her palms sweat. She tore herself away from when Hector called out to her. "May I’ve a dance, Davinia?"
"Oh, I…" She looked over at Gawain, who was now talking to his brother. She was a little disappointed that her first dance was not with him. She had a good mind to turn Hector down until her sister chipped in.
"Of course, she would love to dance."
"Emer, but—" Davinia tried to cut in, but Hector was already out of his seat with a hand to her as a new song from the band started. Davinia hesitantly took the hand, looking back at her sister, who was cheering her on in her own wild way. Davinia could not fault her sister. She and Emer had many conversations about Davinia finding someone to settle with like she had done. Emer had no idea how much Davinia envied her. Davinia was happy for the life her sister had. Emer married the man she loved and had wonderful children together while she couldn't understand whether the man she wanted actually wanted her or was looking for a woman to pass the time with. Of course, Emer did not know about this.
Hector slipped his hand into her smaller one, his other hand clasping over her waist while she placed hers on his shoulders. He beamed at her, and she returned it with a tight-lipped smile. As the dance started, she looked over her shoulder at Gawain, but he was still in a conversation with his brother. Was she so insignificant to him that he would not spare her more than a few moments of his time?
As she slid her hands down to Hector's biceps, she could almost imagine the feeling of Gawain's tensing muscles under the tunic. His grip against her waist would be firm yet gentle, he would hold her hand like she would break if he held on too tight. He would pull her into his embrace like she would not be there the next second. Her eyes fluttered close as she rested her head against her partner's chest, a wide smile gracing her lips at her vivid imagination.
"Davinia." She could even hear his voice call her name, and she sighed in bliss. "Davinia." Her eyes fluttered open, looking straight at blue eyes, her dazed smile fell immediately. Looking up at her partner, she was met with Hector's dark eyes staring down at her. Gawain stood by their side, arms crossed, and his lips set in a thin line as she glared at their joint hands. "Davinia, may I dance with ye?"
* * *
Gawain had taken a seat next to Caillen, his mind still fogged up with the events that had transpired. At his table sat Flora and her husband, Caillen, and his wife, Hector, of course, but there was one empty seat. He did not bother to dwell on that as Flora's declaration still had him shocked. He should just be as he knew how manipulative the woman could be. He could simply blame it on not being around her for a while.
Her husband was another problem for Gawain. Gawain would not say he did now like Scott He simply did not like the aura Scott gave. It was almost as if he was hiding something. Plotting something would be a better way to put it. Perhaps he would talk to Caillen about the man.
Gawain sat with a cup of wine as his eyes scanned the room in search of Davinia. He did not have to look much as she already made her way toward their table. Her smile was cherry, her head was held high, only bowing in respect when she set down the tray she was carrying. Gawain acted quickly, avoiding her gaze, not wanting to face her after what he had witnessed during the day.
Of course, she had Hector to rely on. He was perfect for her as she was perfect for him. The clan loved them both. The Laird confided in them while he was just the brother who tried to grab what he couldn't reach.
"Gawain, have ye decided on how ye will choose yer men? Caillen broke him out of his thoughts, forcing him to push Davinia to the back of his mind for the time being.
"Nae but by the marrow. I’ll deal with that then. If ye’ve any suggestions, then I would gladly take them into consideration, brother. I do nae want to select men who will bring me nothing but trouble but considering me reputation amongst the men, well… I want them to trust me again, but one needs to be strict at times as a leader. How am I to be strict when I ken why they will not even follow me command in the first place."
"Aye, I understand. I’ll let ye ken if I’ve any suggestions. I also do nae want to pick out yer men fer ye. The last thing I want are complaints from the villagers. Though I’m not as worried as I probably should be. I trust ye can make sound decisions on yer own."
Gawain was about to speak when he noticed Davinia get out of her seat with Hector, who was leading her away. His gaze immediately hardened, and his grip around the cup tightened. What did he expect? They were a couple, after all, they would obviously dance together, they would want to be seen together. For Gawain, his trigger had been his brother and his wife's support of the couple.
