Jaxon paused.“Nay, I lead by command, but ye will lead by heart.”
“Ye speakas though ye ken me,” she said.
“I ken only what I see,”he replied, “a woman who bends to greet two bairns and wins them in a breath.”
Gracie flushed. “They are dear,”she said.
The tune slowed,and he eased her closer, still keeping space enough that she did not stiffen.
“Do ye fear me?”he asked softly.
Gracie hesitated.“I fear what I daenae ken,” she said, “and I daenae ken marriage...or ye.”
Jaxon replied,“Then we will learn it at yer pace.”
Her hand tightened in his.“Ye are nae like the tales,” she murmured.
He answered,“Tales are made by men who need monsters.”
She smiled again,and it was no longer strained.
They movedin a quiet circle as another song began, softer, more intimate.
“Will ye always be so patient?”she asked.
Jaxon considered.“I am nae a gentle man,” he said, “but I am an honorable one.”
Gracie nodded.“Honor feels safer than passion.”
He inclined his head.“Passion can wait,” he said. “I would rather ye trust me.”
7
Gracie felt flustered being so close to him, aware of every inch of space between their bodies and every brush of cloth. It felt strange and wonderful to dance with a man who was not her father, whose hand was warm and steady at her waist. Her heart beat too quickly, and she wondered if he could feel it through her gown. The hall seemed to fade, leaving only the music and the man beside her.
“I’ve never dancedwith a suitor before, let alone a man that I must now call husband,” she confessed, her voice barely above the fiddles. Jaxon glanced down at her, one dark brow lifting.
“Good,”he said, “there’s nay one to kill for touchin’ ye then.”
Gracie scoffed,shaking her head. “Ye daenae truly mean that.”
His grip tightened just enoughto keep her step true. “I mean every word,” he said quietly. “There is only one rule ye need remember now that we’re wed.”
She swallowed.“And what rule is that, me laird?”
“If any manbut me touches ye,” Jaxon said, his voice low and certain, “I will kill him, without a single question.”
Gracie staredat him in disbelief. “That isnae somethin’ a laird should be sayin’,” she replied, a tremor in her tone.
He answered,“The only thing a laird should never do is take advantage of his people.”
She shook her head,trying to make sense of him. “We are arguin’ a moot point,” she said. “There is nay man who would be interested in me, and I daenae even ken why ye offered to marry me at all.” Her gaze fell. “Even yer own brother ran away.”
Jaxon haltedtheir turn for a heartbeat before guiding her again. “Edmund is a fool,” he said. “His leavin’ says nothin’ of ye.”
Gracie whispered,“It feels as though it does.”
“Trust me, lass,”he said, his voice roughening. “If I thought ye could handle it, I would show ye exactly how much I want ye.”
