"The cook complained of a leaking pot the other day, has it been replaced yet?"
"I’ve nae clue, miss. I could ask her fer ye."
"Nae, never mind. Have ye seen Ida?"
"Ida?"
"Sir Gawain's maid?" Erica shook her head.
"I do nae think I’ve seen her today, miss." Davinia nodded, dismissing the maid with a wave of her hand. It was true, Gawain had mentioned that Ida had woken him up rather rudely the previous day when he had woken up late. They woke up late again, but Ida was nowhere to be found. Davinia did not see her in the kitchens either. Her thoughts were interrupted when her sister entered the chamber, shutting the door gently behind her.
Davinia turned to face her sister, her arms went back to wrap around her as Emer took a seat on the bed and patted the space next to her, but Davinia refused. She could not stay long as she had to go after Gawain, then look for Ida and have her fish out the Erica she had seen. "Are ye sure ye will be comfortable that way?"
"Aye."
"Alright then. I ken ye already ken why I wanted to speak to ye."
"Aye, and it’s nae what Caillen said it was."
"Davinia, ye ken his status in the clan. As much as he makes it hard to, Caillen and I want to believe that Gawain is changed, but many will never see him like that. What he has done cannae be erased, Davinia. Is that the type of man ye choose to bed?"
"I’m nae just bedding him, Emer! I feel strongly for Gawain, and I believe he feels the same for me." Emer rose to her feet, holding her sister's arms, but Davinia stiffened.
"Listen, Gawain cannae treat ye as ye should be treated. He’ll spend the majority of his time back proving to the clan members that he’s changed and ye’re probably only a part of one of his schemes. He only wants to use ye, Davinia, can ye nae see? If ye speak good of him, it’ll influence people who look up to ye to speak good of him as well, while for all we ken, Gawain might still be the same cunning man that left the clan."
"That’s where ye’re wrong, Emer. Gawain has changed. He's grown, and he's better. I ken this, I can speak fer him." Davinia shrugged her sister's hands off her as she tucked her hands behind her back, stepping out of Emer's hold.
"I only want what’s best for ye. Gawain might be using ye fer all we ken. He used me once, I said those same words. I didn't even know until it was too late. Davinia, I’m taking yer best interest to heart when I say Gawain is nae the man fer ye. He cannae make ye happy. There are so many men we could find fer ye that are way better than him. Who better than Hector? Thankfully, he has nae heard about ye and Gawain so ye could still—"
"Trick him into marrying me?"
"Nae, that’s nae what I meant. Do nae turn us into the men fighting downstairs. I only want ye to be happy.”
“I understand and appreciate that, but if ye want to make me happy, sister, then let me do what I want."
"But that will nae make ye happy!"
"How would ye ken? It’s me happiness nae yours!"
Davinia stared down at her sister, who cradled her stomach absentmindedly before stepping back to sit on the bed again.
"I did nae want to do this, Davinia, but I forbid ye from seeing Gawain again, and I’m nae just speaking as yer sister, but as the Laird’s wife." Emer didn’t have to scream like the men did. Her voice was soft but resolute.
Davinia's hands fell to her side, weakened at her sister's words. Her annoyance had started to turn into anger, and hot tears prickled the corner of her eyes.
"I’m doing this fer yer own good. Gawain is nae the type of man to settle fer. He’s too rough fer ye just look at how he talks to his own brother." Emer continued, trying to meet Davinia’s clouded eyes.
"And look at how his brother undermines and provokes him, but I do nae tell ye to leave Caillen and run off with the children." Davinia found the strength to reply her.
Emer flared up, ready to defend her husband, but Davinia continued speaking. "I’ve never not supported yer, but now when it's me making a decision, I’ve to bend to yer will? I’ve to make ye happy to me meself happy? Is that it? Whatever it is, keep it to yerself, Emer. I love him, and if that is a mistake, then it is mine to make. If there is nothing else ye wish to discuss, please excuse me. I’ve urgent matters to attend to. I suggest ye get some rest, Emer, ye’ve been stressed enough today." Davinia promptly curtsied before stepping out of the room, leaving her sister’s eyes wide eyes at her confession as she wiped hers.
Davinia gathered her skirts and shot toward the dining hall. Her heart pounded against her chest as her nerves started to kick in at her confession. She could properly acknowledge her feelings for Gawain, and it brought a smile to her lips.
The problem now was if she would tell him how she truly felt? Would she? Could she even? How would Gawain react? Would he reject her? She doubted it. Gawain could have not used her. He felt a similar way for her. She was sure of it.
Davinia came to a stop at the dining hall entrance, which was now filled with servants cleaning up the almost uneaten food. Flagging a servant to a stop, Davinia made her enquiries. "Where did the Laird go?"
"I do nae ken, miss. He left after Sir Gawain."
