They reached a small stable on the outskirts of the main square where a young man was waiting to take their horses.
“Me laird! Me lady!” the stable hand called out with obvious delight. “Welcome to Kilmartin! We’re right honored to have ye here for the festival!”
“Thank ye,” Elijah replied, dismounting smoothly. “How has the day been so far?”
“Oh, wonderful, me laird! The best turnout we’ve had in years! People have come from three villages over to join the celebration!”
Iris carefully helped Codie down from their horse before dismounting herself. Her legs felt slightly unsteady after the long ride, but she managed to keep her dignity intact.
“There now,” she said to Codie, straightening his jacket and smoothing his hair. “Ready to meet yer people?”
“Are they really me people?” he asked, his eyes wide as he took in the bustling crowd.
“Aye, they are. Someday, ye’ll be responsible for their welfare, their happiness, their safety. It’s important that ye get to ken them.”
Elijah appeared at her shoulder, having finished giving instructions to the stable hand. “Are ye ready?”
“As ready as we’ll ever be,” she replied, taking Codie’s hand firmly in her own.
As they made their way toward the heart of the festival, Iris was amazed by the reaction they received. The moment people spotted them, faces lit up with genuine joy and excitement.
“It’s the Laird! And his new lady!” someone called out.
“Look how bonnie she is!” added another voice.
“And is that young Master Codie? How he’s grown!”
An elderly woman pushed through the crowd, her face beaming with delight. “Me laird, me lady! Such an honor to have ye here! And with the young master too, what a treat!”
“The honor is ours, Goodwife,” Iris replied. “Yer festival is magnificent.”
“Oh, bless ye for sayin’ so! We’ve been preparin’ for so for long!” The woman’s eyes sparkled with pride. “Have ye tried Moira’s honey cakes yet? They’re the finest in all the Highlands!”
“We’ve only just arrived,” Iris said with a smile. “But we’re lookin’ forward to samplin’ everythin’.”
“Honey cakes!” Codie whispered excitedly. “Can we really try some?”
Before Iris could answer, a middle-aged man approached, his hat in his hands and his expression respectful but determined.
“Me lady, it’s good to see ye.” He bowed respectfully, before turning to Elijah. “Me laird, if I might have a word? About the boundary dispute with MacLeod lands?”
Elijah glanced briefly at Iris, his expression immediately turning more formal as he responded, “Aye. We’ll need to discuss that properly, but nae here, nae now. Come to the castle next week, and we’ll resolve it then.”
“Of course, me laird. Thank ye.”
As they continued through the crowd, more and more people approached them. Some wanted to pay their respects, others had minor complaints or requests. Iris watched Elijah handle each interaction with patience and authority, and she began to understand what he’d meant about this being duty rather than pleasure.
But she also saw the genuine affection in people’s eyes when they looked at their laird. Whatever his reputation as the Beast of McMurphy, these people clearly respected and trusted him.
“Lady McMurphy!” A young woman with a baby in her arms approached shyly. “I’m Sarah from the mill. I just wanted to say... well, we’re all so happy ye’ve come to us. The clan has needed a lady for so long.”
“Thank ye, Sarah,” Iris replied warmly. “I’m honored to be here. And what a beautiful bairn ye have!”
The baby gurgled and reached chubby fingers toward Iris, making her laugh.
“She likes ye!” Sarah beamed. “That’s a good sign. Bairns ken who has a good heart.”
As they moved deeper into the festival, Iris began to relax. The people were welcoming, the atmosphere was joyful, and even Elijah seemed to be thawing slightly in the face of his clan’s obvious happiness.
