Jaxon watchedher from the side. “Ye’ve a way with them, lass,” he murmured, leaning close. “Better than I ever could hope.”
Gracie blushed,brushing a strand of hair from her face.
The villagers beganto chatter freely now, telling stories of their hardships.
“Ye have endured much,”Gracie said. “But together, we shall see yer home flourish again.”
Jaxon caught her gaze,his hand finding hers again, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Ye see what I mean?”he asked, voice low. “Ye are more than me lady, ye are a light to them all.”
Gracie’s heartswelled at his words. “I am only doing what any woman would, standin’ beside her husband,” she whispered.
“If ye will,Laird and Lady, I can walk ye around and show ye what needs to be done,” Barnaby said.
Jaxon nodded.“I would like that very much, Barnaby. Lead the way, and I’ll see that nothin’ is neglected.”
He turned to Connor,who stood nearby overseeing the unloading of supplies.
“Makesure the villagers all get a meal at once with fresh water. Build a fire to warm them. Everythin’ else can wait.”
Connor bowed deeply.“Aye, we will do this at once, me laird.”
Gracie fellinto step beside Jaxon as Barnaby led the way through the narrow paths of Glenmoor. The village was small, less than a hundred souls, but it was clear the people cared for their homes despite the hardships. Barnaby gestured to a crumbling fence.
“This here needs repair,Laird. The storms last winter nearly took it all, and the sheep need it for safety.”
Jaxon nodded,his eyes scanning the area. “Aye, we’ll have timber brought from the cart and fix it right away.”
Gracie lookedat him with admiration.
Barnaby ledthem to a row of small cottages. “This one’s the Smith family,” he explained. “The roof leaks and the wind chills them through.”
“We shall have that mended,”he promised. “Nay bairn of Glenmoor shall suffer for lack of warmth or shelter while we are here.”
Barnaby pointedto a patch of farmland, the crops withered in the sun.
“These fields need attention,Laird, but the drought made it near impossible. Some grain and seeds could help till next season.”
Jaxon nodded thoughtfully.“We’ll provide fresh seed. We’ll have the villagers work together, and I’ll oversee it meself.”
Barnaby ledthem to the small village square. “And this is where the communal well has mostly dried up. Some stones fell, and the pulley’s weak.”
“We will searchfor a spot for a new well. There's good water under this land, it must be found.”
As they moved on,Gracie felt the weight of responsibility mix with pride. She was struck by the respect the villagers had for Jaxon and the trust they seemed to extend to her as well.
“Ye area laird in the truest sense,” she said quietly.
Jaxon squeezed her hand.“And ye, me lady, are learnin’ fast how to be one beside me.”
22
Jaxon paused for a moment, watching Gracie move among the villagers with a grace he had scarcely expected. Her voice was gentle yet firm, soothing the fears of the elders and encouraging the children alike. He couldn’t help but admire her, the ease with which she managed the situation, and the way her eyes lit with warmth whenever she spoke to those in need. It struck him deeply, she had a natural gift for leadership, and not even he had foreseen how quickly she could win the hearts of his people.
A small child,no more than five, toddled toward Gracie clutching a worn doll. The little girl’s eyes shone with hope and shyness as she extended it toward her. Gracie knelt down, taking the doll in her hands, and her face broke into a delighted smile.
“Och,it’s the prettiest doll I’ve ever seen! Ye must take good care of her,” she said, returning it carefully to the girl, who beamed with pride and ran off to show her friends.
