Jaxon returned the grip firmly.“I would have come sooner had I kent the truth of it,” he replied.
Barnaby then turnedto Gracie and bowed his head low. “A pleasure to meet ye, Lady McMillan, ye must excuse me tardiness as I was in the far west fields and came as soon as may be,” he said with respect.
Gracie inclinedher head in return, offering a soft smile. “The pleasure is mine, Chief Barnaby,” she answered.
Jaxon’s jawtightened as he looked back to the older man. “Tell me this,” he said, voice controlled but edged. “Why was I nae informed earlier of how dire yer plight had grown?”
Gracie feltthe shift beside her, the tension coiling in him.
Barnaby sighedand rubbed a hand over his beard. “We did send word,” he said slowly. “The last time young Edmund rode through, we told him plain.” He paused, eyes lowering. “He said he’d take care of it.”
Gracie felt the air change,sharp and heavy. Jaxon’s hands curled into fists, and she could feel the fury radiating from him like heat. His shoulders stiffened, and his breath grew measured. Gracie recognized that look now, the one he wore when holding back a storm.
Before Jaxon could speak,Gracie stepped forward.
“Perhaps the messagewas lost in the chaos of the weddin’,” she said gently. “Much was happenin’ at the time.” She met Barnaby’s gaze with calm assurance. “What matters is that wewill remedy the situation so that messages daenae get lost in the future. We are here now, and we wish to listen.”
Barnaby looked relieved,his shoulders easing slightly. “Aye, me lady,” he said. “That it does.” He nodded slowly, as though reassured by her presence.
Gracie turned fully to him,her tone warm but earnest. “Tell us what else ye need,” she said. “Food and warmth we’ve brought, but there may be more.” She gestured toward the village. “We would ken it all.”
Barnaby’s eyes softened,and he glanced back toward the cottages. “The well runs low in the far end,” he said. “And the roof on the communal hall leaks somethin’ fierce.” He hesitated, then added, “And some are ill, though we lack a healer.”
Jaxon exhaled slowly,the tightness in him easing as Gracie spoke. He listened now, nodding as Barnaby continued. Gracie felt his anger ebb, replaced by focus and resolve. She was glad she had stepped in when she did, before he exploded in anger over his brother.
“We will see to it,”Jaxon said without hesitation. “One step at a time, but we will see to it.” His voice carried quiet confidence, and it settled the crowd around them.
“Thank ye,me laird. And ye have a steady heart, me lady,” he said. “The clan is blessed to have ye both here.” Barnaby inclined his head deeply.
Gracie felther cheeks warm at the praise but held his gaze. “We are blessed to serve ye,” she replied.
Jaxon looked at her then,truly looked at her, and something unspoken passed between them. His expression softened, and she thought she could see pride clear in his eyes. Gracie felt her chest tighten with feeling, knowing she had done right by him and by the people. She felt not only like his wife, but his equal at his side.
Gracie felt Jaxon draw close,his hand resting lightly on the small of her back, and spoke in a low, earnest tone.
“Lass, I thank ye for steppin’in back there,” he said, his voice carrying both gratitude and a rare vulnerability. “Aye, me temper… it got the better of me, and I shouldnae have let it show.”
Gracie smiled softly,her hand brushing against his chest.
“That’swhat I’m here for, Jaxon,” she replied, her voice calm but full of warmth. “To stand beside ye, through all of it.”
He leaned down,pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, then lingering at her lips, his touch both possessive and tender. Gracie felt a flutter in her chest, the steady beat of reassurance mingling with her own excitement.
Jaxon’s lipscurved into a small grin as he straightened, taking her hand.
“Now,”he said, “come meet some of these good folk.” He led her through the gathered villagers, many of them smiling with awe and relief.
Children clutched at their parents’skirts, peeking up at Gracie, whispering shyly about Lady McMillan.
A small womannamed Elsie stepped forward nervously. “Ye brought blankets for wee Ailsa,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “We… we daenae ken how to thank ye, me lady.”
Gracie knelt slightlyto meet her eye level. “Ye need nae thank me,” she said softly. “Ye are keepin’ yer bairns safe, and that is the greatest thanks a lady could wish for.”
A young boy,no more than ten, piped up shyly, tugging at Gracie’s hand.
“Willye show us how to knit too, Lady McMillan?” he asked eagerly.
Gracie laughed lightly,warmth spreading through her chest. “Aye, I’ll show ye, and mayhap ye’ll teach me a thing or two as well,” she replied, winking.
