Before Gawain could reply, they heard the sound of footsteps. He quickly slid Davinia off his lap allowing her skirts cover up her exposed thighs as someone in a maid’s attire appeared in the clearing.
Chapter Fourteen
"Sir Gawain, Miss Davinia." Gawain let out a breath of relief at the familiar face while Davinia seemed unsure.
"Ida, what are ye doing here?" Gawain got to his feet before stretching out a hand to Davinia. "Ye should be at the feast."
"My apologies, but lady Emer sent me here to find you. I can tell her I couldn't find you." Gawain waved her off.
"Nae need fer that. We will be back shortly." He smiled at Davinia, who looked away, face flushed. "Aye, we’ll be there. Give me a moment.”
Shortly after, Gawain led Davinia back to the feast, a satisfied smirk on his face as he caught Hector's eyes the moment they stepped in. The guests did not bother to hide their criticizing talk about his behavior earlier. When he did think about it, it was rude not just to Hector but to his brother. He and Davinia had a brief chat about it in the halls on their way back. Gawain admitted his faults and agreed to apologize without Davinia needing to persuade him.
He felt Davinia let go of his arm, and he held onto hers as she started to leave. "Will I see ye after the feast? Even if it is before ye retire fer the night, please, spare me a moment of yer time."
"Aye, come find me in the kitchen. I'll wait." She patted his hand before he let her go, watching her mingle with the crowd. He turned back toward his table. Only Emer smiled back at him though it was more of a nervous one. Hector left the table entirely as he approached them, but Gawain, who was determined to fix his mistakes, followed. He caught up to Hector at the entrance.
"May I speak to ye, Hector?"
"Nae, I’ve nae intention of being insulted one more time."
"I’m nae here to insult ye. I want to apologize fer me actions earlier. ‘Twas wrong of me to cut into yer dance and insult ye in such manner. I want us to be able to work together not just as clansmen but also as friends who understand each other." Hector raised a brow at him, unconvinced.
"Friends do nae embarrass each other." Hector looked away from Gawain. "I told ye that what happened with the dancer was because—"
"Aye, I understand. Ye were drunk, and to be honest, I think I also was. I hope we can put our excesses past us and find a way to start anew." Hector eyed Gawain, who had plastered a cheery smile on his face.
"Are ye still drunk?"
"Nae. Davinia screamed at me so much, I think she scared the wine out of me." Hector chuckled at the comment before he nodded.
"‘Tis fine then. All is forgiven. Let us return to the table."
For Gawain, the rest of the feast was awkward enough for him to wish he had stayed in the garden with Davinia. Hector held his brother and Scott in a conversation while Flora and Emer stuck together, leaving Gawain to stare at the guests as he nursed another glass of wine. He couldn't have been any more grateful when the feast finally came to an end.
For Gawain, he had one person on his mind, and as he stood to go find her, his brother called him back. "Gawain, sit fer a while longer."
"Nae, I’m actually a wee tired."
"Aye, but I need to talk to ye. It will only take a bit of yer time." Caillen pointed at Gawain's previous seat at the table. The hall was starting to fill up with servants, each assigned to a clean-up task. Gawain saw no other choice but to sit. The longer he argued with his brother, the longer he would keep Davinia waiting.
The atmosphere at the table was tense as no words were exchanged as servants cleared the table, Caillen spoke after they had left.
Caillen swallowed and cleared his throat as he broke the silence. "I think ye ken why I wanted ye to stay back, Gawain?"
"Aye, and I realize I made a mistake, and I’ve apologized fer it." Gawain turned to Hector, who nodded in agreement, but Caillen was not about to let it just die down.
"Gawain, I want ye to understand this from an outsider's perspective. Ye have just returned from exile and was given a high-ranking position in the clan. Clan members don't trust ye enough to believe ye presence here will do them any good, imagine what this outsider thinks. Ye are walking on thin ice with everyone, Gawain.” Caillen turned to face Gawain fully, locking eyes with him as if to send the words directly into his soul.
He continued, “It is nae a good look fer ye when ye start unnecessary scenes like ye did earlier. I’m nae scolding ye, I only want ye to ken that ye’ve many eyes on ye, waiting fer ye to misbehave and if proper evidence is handed to me against ye, brother, I’ll have nae choice but to punish ye. Tonight, ye disregarded the presence of clan members, the clan elders, and my presence and insulted me right-hand man. I can pass that off as ye being drunk if I’m questioned, but I need to ken that such a thing will never happen again. Ye are me brother, but I’m still yer laird, and Hector is me right-hand man. If ye will nae respect him as a superior, then respect him as a clan member."
Gawain has not expected his brother to protect Hector this much. He had expected Caillen's correction. He knew he overstepped and had apologized. He would apologize as much as he needed to because he knew he was wrong but after his brother's words, he was not going to lie, he was upset at the relationship they shared. It was almost as if Caillen saw Hector as more of a brother than Gawain. Gawain broke their gaze and looked down at his hands, ignoring the ache that was starting to bloom in his chest and sweat trickling down his neck.
"You went at him in front… " Caillen was cut off by a silver tray being placed down on the table. Davinia stood over them but kept her eyes low, not wanting to lock eyes with Gawain.
"Me apologies, milord. I brought ye some wine as it seems ye’re nae done here."
"Thank ye, Davinia. We won't be long." Davinia bowed before she started to make her way back.
