“Indeed it is—but dinna pull her so, Evie! Och, we’re so grateful tae you, Lady, so grateful tae you and Laird MacLachlan for all that you’ve done for us.”
Others chimed in with the same sentiment, men doffing their caps and women bobbing their heads, but none coming too close to her as if demonstrating their respect for the place Magdalene held among them. The girls had let go of her hands now to remain with their mothers, but the rest of the children still followed her as she walked along the crowded road.
“Thank you, Lady, thank you!” cried several people near her.
“Aye, we wouldna lasted another winter if not for you, Lady MacLachlan!”
That comment made her wonder at what Gabriel had said about telling her the story of how they came to be wed, for clearly it must be a dire one. She nodded at the stout gray-haired woman, who stood arm in arm with what appeared a sister from their similar features.
“Och, have you ever seen such a handsome couple as our laird and lady? Why, she doesna look mad at all!”
Magdalene stiffened, and she glanced behind her to see that Gabriel was only a few strides behind her.
She imagined he’d heard the comment, too. How could he not with them walking so closely together?
At once she wanted to kick herself for agreeing to accompany the children into the village, yet strangely she had no stomach for bursting into crazed laughter or to do anything else that might make her appear a lunatic.
She felt so confused, the sincere gratitude on everyone’s face touching her deeply. All of the villagers appearing well-clothed and well-fed, though Gabriel had said his people were starving only months ago.
Could her dowry have done all this good and so quickly? Was it really as simple as the thought that suddenly struck her? That Gabriel had taken a lunatic as his bride to save the lives of these villagers as well as those inhabiting the castle?
She faltered, feeling wretched inside that she could have misjudged him so harshly if that indeed was the truth.
Yet how could it not be? What man in his right mind would take a madwoman to wife? A selfish brute of a man, mayhap, but such a one would have spent her dowry on other things than food and clothing for his clansmen and much needed repairs to a castle that gave shelter to so many.
That meant Gabriel MacLachlan was no selfish brute at all, but mayhap one of the most honorable men she could have ever encountered—ah, God, she felt as if everything was suddenly spinning around her!
“Maggie?”
She heard Gabriel’s deep voice behind her, but she could only bury her face in her hands as scalding tears welled in her eyes. She had never felt so ashamed, so foolish, so ridiculous, so blind—
“Maggie!”
She felt him catch her as she collapsed, Gabriel lifting her into his arms as everyone gasped around them.
“God help the lass, it’s the curse! The MacLachlan curse come tae steal her away!” shrieked a woman, while high-pitched wails of horror receded into nothingness around her.
Chapter 14
“It’s not the curse!” Gabriel shouted, though Magdalene had gone so limp in his arms that he felt cold fear. “She’s not eaten much of late—I shouldna have brought her out so soon! Grab my horse, man!Grab my horse!”
At once a villager brought Gabriel’s steed to him, snorting and prancing, while he handed Magdalene to another man so he could climb into the saddle.
“Hand her up—and take care with her!” he commanded, wanting her in his arms again, wanting to feel her breathing against him.
Magdalene wasn’t conscious, he could tell as much when she was lifted into his embrace, her head lolled back and her long hair streaming down.
What could have happened? One moment she’d seemed fine, though he had seen her falter in front of him, a catch in his gut. He had thought she might bolt down the road to reaffirm she was indeed a lunatic after the telling comment from that woman.
Why, she doesna look mad at all!
Aye, he’d heard it, too, bracing himself for what else she might choose to do. Spin around in place and cackle like a madwoman? Try to snatch the reins of her horse from him so she might jump into the saddle and ride away?
He had been expecting as much since the moment they had left the castle together, riding side by side with Gabriel almost certain that Magdalene couldn’t wait to catch him off guard.
Yet that moment hadn’t come, even when he had dismounted to greet the children—and still she hadn’t set off on her horse and left him choking on dust.
Gabriel gathered her close against him, staring into her face so beautiful that his breath caught in his chest.
