"That is brilliant, Davinia. Ye do nae ken how long I’ve been thinking of how to pull this through. Thank ye." He pulled her in for an embrace, letting his arm around her waist tighten before she pulled away.
"Nae to be a bother but have ye heard anything about Hector? Yer brother has forbidden anyone other than his maid and the healer into the room. With what I was able to squeeze out of the lass, he has been unconscious since last night." Gawain could see she was genuinely worried, and if he was to be honest, so was he. With what Davinia told him, he realized just how serious the man's injuries might have been. "Did yer brother mention anything about him?"
"Nae. Caillen just said he was still out of order and wanted me to take over the position."
"Ye better have nae—"
"I did nae take it. I ken the implications, Davinia, and other than that, if I’m to be the right hand, I want to earn it. I don't want to get it just because the actual right hand is not able to perform his duties." Gawain looked down at the tray of food in his hand. "Who owns this?"
"The laird could nae have breakfast with his family so me sister asked me to bring him a tray."
"I doubt he will eat it. He’s working himself to the bone concerning the fires and Hector." Gawain mumbled off as his eyes scanned the tray, settling for a piece of bread, but Davinia slapped his hand away.
"If ye want food go to the kitchen and wait fer me." She took the tray from him just as rushed footsteps were heard. Behind Davinia was Ida running to catch up to the couple, and when she did, she slumped against the stone wall, ignoring the looks she was getting as she tried to catch her breath.
"Do ye need something, Ida?" Gawain stepped up to her, offering her a hand when she accepted before she gave a quick bow to Davinia.
"Lady Flora made me run about the keep to find you. She…" Ida trailed off as she took deep breaths before eventually calming down just enough to relay her message. "Lady Flora wants to see you. She said it was urgent and had me find you."
"Why?"
"I’ve no idea, Sir Gawain. She only requested your presence. Miss Davina, let me take that for you." Ida reached for the tray but Davinia took a step back.
"Nae worries. This is fer the laird and with the way ye’re breathing, I fear ye might spill it before ye reach his study. Escort Sir Gawain back to Lady Flora." Ida nodded and had already started to walk off when Gawain stopped Davinia.
"When I get back, can I come look fer ye?" Davinia raised a brow at him before she scoffed.
"If Lady Flora doesnae request yer presence, that is." Gawain reeled back at her tone, but she had already taken her leave before he could say anything. He watched the back of her head as she left, wondering what he could have done to annoy her. Could it be that she did not want Flora near him? Davinia had nothing to worry about, if anything, he was the one who was terrified she could still choose Hector over him.
"Sir Gawain?" Ida called out for him, but he waved her off, waiting for Davinia to pass by the hallway again, but after several moments, it was clear to Gawain she had taken another route to the kitchen. "Sir Gawain, we should leave now. I do not think Miss Davinia is going to come back."
He looked down at his feet, extremely confused at the turn of events. "Did I do something I should nae have? Was it something I said?"
"I think it was my fault. When I said Lady Flora requested your presence. I think we made her jealous." Gawain's frown deepened as a scowl started to form on his face.
"What does Flora want?"
"I do nae ken. Come with me, sir." Gawain huffed, trying to keep his annoyance in check as he followed behind Ida. "You seem annoyed."
"I’m. Of all the people in the keep, Flora had to choose me? She chose me specifically, or ye just came running after she told ye to find a man?" Ida shook her head, and he groaned.
"Why do you nae like Lady Flora much, if I may ask?" This question threw Gawain off track. With what he knew, Ida had come after he had left, but he did not know if she knew anything about him from the obvious gossip the servants threw around.
"Ye act like ye’ve nae heard about me. Do nae do that. It will nae gain ye favor." Gawain waved her off, but the maid was persistent.
"I’ve heard rumors about you, sir, but I do not tend to believe rumors very often."
"Every rumor carries a bit of the truth. Tell me what ye’ve heard.” Ida stopped at the first step of the staircase and turned back to him, a familiar look in her eyes. Her eyebrows were scrunched up, her lips turned slightly downward, "Ye do nae have to worry about me feelings. Just tell me what they say about me." With a sigh, she nodded before they continued toward their destination.
"When I first came, I heard about a man who tried to take over the laird's position through dubious means. They say the man even went as far as trying to get rid of the laird himself, but he was caught and banished as a punishment. How much of that is true?"
"I did try to take over the position, but the thought of killing me brother never once crossed me mind. Yes, I was banished, and I was allowed to come back. What else did ye hear?"
"Most of the guards do not trust you, and they reported that to Sir Hector. He said he would take care of it. I did not hear anything new until the fires broke out. You ken the majority thinks you did it. They think you tried to kill Sir Hector as well."
"Do ye think I did it?"
"Like I said, I’m not one to believe rumors, sir."
