The words struckher like a bell, ringing through her chest. He stepped away at once, breaking the closeness he had held.
Gracie stoodin the space he left behind, her skin still warm where his hand had been. She did not know whether to feelrelieved or wounded, only that her heart ached with something new. Around them the ceilidh roared on, laughter and song rising to the rafters. She felt suddenly small within it, yet seen in a way she never had before.
She watched him retreat,his face once more carved of stone. He had given her a glimpse of fire and then shielded her from its heat. Her fingers curled at her sides, yearning and afraid in equal measure. She wondered if he knew how deeply his words had struck.
Gracie drew a steadyingbreath and followed him with her eyes. He turned back, as though sensing her gaze, and their eyes met across a hand’s breadth of air. She retreated to the table, merely to sit down so that she would not faint.
She watchedJaxon walk the great hall accepting words of merriment and having drinks with many powerful men.
Finally,he returned to her. She felt him standing behind her. He leaned down to her ear and whispered.
“I meant nay harm,”he said softly. “I only wished ye to ken the truth.”
“I daenae doubt it,”she replied. “It is only… much to take in.”
Jaxon inclined his head.“Ye have been given too much in a single day.”
She managed a faint smile.“Aye, that is true enough.”
Gracie felt oddly bereft,though she had feared his nearness moments before. She realized then that safety and desire could live in the same breath. It frightened her how quickly he had become the center of her thoughts.
She glanced toward the twins,who were laughing near the benches, and felt a tug of resolve. She was here for them, and for herself, and perhaps for him as well. Marriage had been thrust upon her, yet within it lay a chance she had never imagined. Gracie straightened her shoulders, reminding herself that she was still her own woman.
She felthim squeeze her shoulder then be off once more. She realized she was smiling in earnest. The hall no longer felt so vast or strange. She was still afraid of the marriage bed and of the life before her. Yet within that fear, a fragile hope had begun to take root.
Moments later,Gracie sat at the long oaken table, her hands folded in her lap, as members of clan McMillan approached in turn, each offering a bow, a smile, or a hearty word.
“Welcome, Lady McMillan,”said a gray-bearded man in a tartan cloak, “we’re proud to have ye.”
She answered softly,“Thank ye kindly, I hope to serve ye well.”
A young womanwith bright eyes leaned close and whispered, “Ye are fair and gentle, me lady, the Laird chose wisely.”
Gracie flushed,replying, “Ye are too kind, I am glad to be among ye.”
Another clappedhis hands and laughed, declaring, “The hall feels warmer already.”
Gracie foundherself smiling in earnest, feeling for the first time that she might truly belong.
More came,each voice weaving into the warmth around her, a baker promising fresh honey cakes and a shepherd swearing his flock would give her the softest wool.
“If ye ever wish to walk bythe river, I’ll show ye the best paths,” said a boy about the same age as the twins.
She answered,“Thank ye, that is very kind of ye.”
An older womantook Gracie’s hands and murmured, “We lost our lady long ago, and the castle has missed a woman’s heart.”
Gracie felta sudden sting of tears as she replied, “I will try to honor her memory.” With every greeting, her fear loosened, replaced by a fragile thread of pride.
Andrew approached at last,his eyes shining as he took in the sight of her among them.
“Faither,”she said, “do they seem pleased by me marriage to their Laird?”
“I have heard onlygood things so far, lass,” he answered with a gentle smile.
Relief spreadthrough her and she whispered, “I am glad, I feared they might resent me.”
He replied,“They see what I see, a kind heart and a steady spirit.” He kissed her cheek and said, “Daenae be afraid, Gracie, ye are a lady now and must be strong.”
