Her cheeks burned,torn between irritation and a strange flutter of gratitude.
“Ye speakas though I belong to ye in every way,” she said. “I am still me own person, Jaxon.” Yet even as she said it, her pulse leapt.
“Aye, ye are, Gracie”he agreed quietly, “but ye are also me wife.” His thumb brushed her sleeve, a fleeting touch that sent warmth through her. “That means the world will see ye as an extension of me, whether ye wish it or nae.” His mouth curved in a humorless smile. “And I will defend what is mine.”
Gracie swallowed,desire threading through her like fire. “I daenae ken how to be what ye expect,” she admitted. “Yesterday I was only Gracie Gallagher, and today I am Lady McMillan.” Her eyes shone. “I am afraid I will fail.”
He stared at her,some of his anger draining away. “I expect honesty,” he said, “and courage when ye can find it.” His voice lowered. “I expect ye to stay alive and nae wander off like this.” A pause followed, heavy with unspoken meaning.
She gasped.“How dare ye. I am a grown woman that kens her own mind!”
“Then prove it and stop doin’daft things like wanderin’ the castle on yer own, until I say ye can,” he scowled.
“Until ye say I can?I am nae one of yer guards to command, Jaxon,” she said.
Jaxon’s gazelingered on her lips, then lifted back to her eyes. “Ye make it difficult to think clearly,” he confessed, his tone rough. “Every time ye look at me like that, I forget all me careful plans.” He stepped back a fraction, as if restraining himself.
Gracie’s breath trembled,desire blooming where fear had been. “Perhaps ye should stop blamin’ me for that,” she whispered. “I am only standin’ here.”
Yet her bodyleaned toward him, betraying her words.
He straightened,reclaiming control, though his eyes still burned. “Come, we have guests and we must do our duty,” he said quietly, offering his arm this time instead of seizing hers.
“Stay by me side,and I will show ye the way back. I will nae hear any more arguing from ye. I’ve had enough of it for now. Ye are lucky I daenae throw ye over me shoulder and lock ye in the bedchamber.”
“And ye'relucky I daenae scream,” she said.
She watchedhis face turned dark and with that, she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm, her heart racing, knowing that something far more dangerous than getting lost had begun. She was alone with him in a dark corridor and he could take what was rightfully his at any moment.
What if he kisses me?What will I do?
They continued down the corridor.Gracie felt her pulse quicken.
But he kepthis word to be a gentleman. Moments later, Jaxon led her back into the great hall, the warm glow of torches flickering across the stone walls. The scent of roasted meats and fresh bread mingled with the tang of ale, filling the hall with a heady aroma. People from both clans had gathered, voices raising in laughter and cheer, the sounds of fiddles and drums weaving above the din. Jaxon guided her to their table, his hand firm on her back, and she felt a shiver run through her at his closeness.
Her eyesimmediately found her father, Andrew, who had stepped slightly aside to speak privately with Jaxon. A knot of anxiety tightened in her chest. She felt him lean close and whisper in her ear, his voice low and commanding, “Daenae leave the great hall without me, lass. I cannae always be followin’ ye to rescue ye.”
Gracie nodded quickly,her cheeks warming, and murmured, “And who will rescue me from yer cold tongue?”
From across the hall,she watched the two men converse. Their voices carried faintly, but she couldnae make out the words, and that only made her more uneasy. Her gaze flicked toward her mother, who was deep in conversation with Lady McCallum of clan McCallum. Seeking some measure of comfort, Gracie moved across the hall to join them, hoping for reassurance.
“Maither,”Gracie asked quietly, lowering her voice, “what is faither sayin’ to Jaxon?”
Her hands fidgetedwith the hem of her sleeve, betraying her nerves.
Margaret shook her head,a faint smile playing on her lips. “I daenae ken, lass. He dinnae confide in me. All I ken is that the talk is private between yer faither and yer husband, nothin’ more.”
Lady McCallum chuckled softly,leaning in. “Och, nothin’ to worry about, lass. All faithers have a wee word with their daughters’ husbands, to make sure the lass is treated as she deserves. And, aye, likely settlin’ some trade as well. Yer clans are united now, and that is a good thing, ye ken?”
Gracie’s stomachtwisted as she absorbed the words, her mind racing. She had never thought of such things—alliances, trade, and arrangements beyond the love of a marriage. A sudden sweat broke across her brow as her thoughts spiraled.
WasJaxon’s act of stepping in for his brother only to secure a trade agreement? Did he truly care for me, or was I merely a pawn to maintain peace and prosperity between the clans?
Her attention snappedback as she saw her father and Jaxon concluding their talk. They clasped hands firmly, the motion solemn yet resolute. Andrew then walked over to a group of men nearby, raising a mug of ale in toast, the laughter and clinking of cups resuming around them. Through the crowd, Gracie noticedJaxon’s eyes scanning, locking on hers almost immediately. She gave him a small nod, a silent acknowledgment that she remained present, safe in the hall.
A curious mixtureof emotions stirred in her as she watched him. There was an undeniable heat in his gaze, possessiveness that prickled along her skin and made her pulse quicken. Yet, beneath that allure, a tendril of frustration took hold. She was married now, but still felt as if she was under constant watch, unable to fully act of her own will, and it both thrilled and irritated her.
“Here,have some wine me dear, ’tis yer weddin' after all,” Lady McCallum poured wine from a pitcher into a goblet and handed it to her.
