Ewen assumes Lachlan couldn't possibly have harmed the heron -- because Ewen said not to! -- thereby stubbornly disregarding the BLATANT fact that mere hours beforehand Lachlan had threatened Keith's life after being explicitly told not to...

Hmm, that is a very good point! As for your speculations, hmm, we shall see... :D

Aargh, yes, I love the 'say you're not hurt!' thing too, and this was a very good one. I agree with osprey_archer that it's mostly about his duties as a host, but the intensity and strength of feeling which Ewen has about his honour and gentlemanly conduct towards Keith is itself great.