Andrew’s eyes narrowed,lips pressed tight, and silence stretched like a taut rope. Jaxon waited, his gaze unflinching, pulse steady beneath the calm surface. The murmurs of the crowd around them faded as all attention fell upon the two men. Yet still, Andrew said nothing.
After a few moments,Andrew spoke, voice low but firm. “I am reluctant to agree, Laird McMillan. We never wished Gracie to bear the responsibilities of a lady. ’Tis a hard life, fraught with duty, expectation, and worry.”
Jaxon’s jaw tightened,and he leaned forward slightly, eyes locked on Andrew’s. “Aye, ’tis hard,” he said evenly, “but yer daughter will be taken care of very well. She will live the life she’s accustomed to, and nae a thing shall be wantin’.”
Andrew’s gaze remained steady,unyielding, and he shook his head slowly. “Aye, but if that were the case,” he said, tone softening but resolute, “we could simply keep her at home.”
Jaxon’s expressionsoftened just slightly, though his voice remained firm. “She is nay bairn, Laird McDougal,” he said, eyes flicking toward Gracie for a brief moment. “She is strong, capable, and deservin’ to be married. I would see her happy, respected, nae burdened, nae neglected.”
Jaxon watchedAndrew’s jaw tighten.
“Ye speak well, Laird McMillan,”he said finally, voice quiet. “But words are easy. Life is harder, and we daenae wish her to suffer the weight of expectation that comes with yer station.”
Jaxon met him squarely,tone even but iron-edged. “I ken the life of a laird is nae simple,” he said, “but I will shield her from all harm I can. She will have freedom within the walls of her new home, comfort, and respect from our people. I swear it on me honor.”
The kirk grew quiet again,all eyes shifting between the two men, waiting for the next move.
Gracie stepped forward,voice small but firm. “Faither, I agree. I will marry Laird McMillan.”
The words hungin the air, soft but resolute, and all murmuring ceased.
Jaxon looked at Gracie.He restrained a smirk, proud that the lass was speaking up for herself.
He looked backat Andrew who bore a mixture of shock and pride crossing his face.
“Then is it settled?”Jaxon asked, voice calm but carrying authority, “if it pleases the Laird and Lady McDougal, I shall take Gracie as me bride, and nay harm shall come to her while I hold her in me care.”
Andrew nodded slowly,exhaling as though a heavy weight had lifted, though his gaze never left his daughter.
“Aye, Laird McMillan,”he said quietly, “since she chooses ye, then ye shall have our blessin’.”
The kirk seemedto exhale in relief, the tension that had gripped every soul easing slightly.
Jaxon stepped closer,keeping his gaze on Gracie, and offered his arm.
“Then,lass, let us make ready to begin this life together,” he said softly, yet every word carried the authority of a laird.
Gracie slidher hand into his, the warmth of her grasp steadying him.
Jaxon’s eyesnever left Gracie as they stood before the minister, her hand nestled in his. Yet despite her steady posture and careful smile, he sensed a hesitancy in her gaze, a flicker of doubt that tightened in his chest like a cold knot.
She doesnae look truly happy.
A hot spikeof jealousy surged, bitter and sharp; perhaps she had wished for Edmund after all, and he was now nothing more than a compromise, “second best” to her.
The minister,a tall man in simple black robes, lifted his hands and spoke, voice echoing in the stone kirk.
“We gather here this day,before the eyes of the Almighty and all assembled, to join Laird McMillan, Jaxon Doyle and Gracie Gallagher daughter of Laird McDougal, in the bond of matrimony.”
He swepthis gaze over the crowd of both clans, murmurs of anticipation filling the air. “This is nay mere agreement, nay fleetin’ promise, but a handfastin’, a bindin’ of two hearts and two houses, entwined in loyalty, love, and respect.”
He feltGracie’s fingers tighten around his, and he gave a slight squeeze of reassurance, even as the suspicion and jealousy still burned faintly in his chest.
“Do ye,Gracie Gallagher, take this man to be yer wedded husband?” the minister asked, voice low but firm.
Gracie liftedher gaze and met Jaxon’s eyes, her lips parting slightly. “I do,” she said, voice quiet but clear, and a shiver of tension passed through him at the sound.
“And do ye,Jaxon Doyle, take this woman, Gracie Gallagher, to be yer wedded wife?” the minister continued, eyes steady on him.
