Page 1 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior
CHAPTER ONE
Me dearest Moira,
The news of me faither’s death must have reached ye and due tae the circumstances of this unfortunate event I am left without choice but tae ask fer yer hand, as promised. Everyone at Castle Fraser is awaiting yer arrival, meself above all.
Yers wholeheartedly,
Roderick
The letter had been opened and folded so many times that it bore faint creases, not too dissimilar from the lines of worry etched across Moira Wilson’s brow.
After hours of travel, Moira found herself unfolding the letter once again. The monotonous clatter of the horses’ hooves and the rhythmic sway of the carriage had done little to quiet her restless thoughts. She needed something—anything—to occupy her mind.
It might seem foolish to read the letter again and again, as it was the source of her unease. But reading calmed her, giving her scattered thoughts a direction and, most of all, the chance to try and figure out what to expect.
Whatwouldshe find at Castle Fraser?
Of course, her mind pondered the worst.
As she traced the spidery letters on the crumpled page, Moira’s fingers lingered on the ink. She couldn’t help but notice how rushed Roderick’s writing was. Messy even. Was that a clue? A sign of Roderick’s state of mind?
And then, despite herself, another thought intruded:How will he look after all these years?
It was frivolous—perhaps the least important question she’d considered yet—but it lingered nonetheless.
Moira exhaled slowly, folding the letter with care and slipping it back into the equally rumpled envelope. She turned her gaze through the oval-shaped carriage window, her eyes settling on the vast, sun-dappled expanse of the Highlands. Rolling hills and wild greenery stretched endlessly before her, and although her eyes were looking out at the scenery, she wasn’t really seeing. She was lost in her thoughts, her mind busy conjuring visions of possible future events.
Moira was confident in her ability to analyze situations and at this point in her life, she was rarely wrong. But she could not fathom why she had been summoned. Or rather, she had an inkling but could hardly believe it. All she knew was that she had to go, for promises made long ago still held their importance.
The memory of when she had made her promise resurfaced, causing her to wince. She felt the bitter taste of regret and would have expelled it if she could have. Had she met Roderick now, she would never have made such a promise. She knew better.
But that was neither here nor there. She had learned there was little use torturing oneself with one’s past. She would have to enter Castle Fraser with a positive attitude, an open mind, and free from remorse for the regretful choices she had made.
The carriage jostled slightly as it moved along the uneven road, her body swaying with the motion, and Moira sat upright, her gaze fixed firmly ahead.
Not much longer now.
The carriage rumbled along a winding, muddy path, the wheels jolting as they neared their destination. Castle Fraser loomed ahead, large, turreted, and grey, its towering stone walls half-shrouded by the dense trees that crowded its edges.
When it finally came to a halt, Moira unlatched the door without waiting for assistance. She stepped out quickly, her movements both confident and efficient as her boots touched the frost-bitten earth.
She hesitated, taking in the towering grandeur of the castle before her.
Then, Moira noticed a finely dressed woman emerging from the castle’s tall doors. Her step was light, her long blonde hair flowing in the chill air, her eyes warm despite their intense blue hue.
“Welcome to Castle Fraser, Lady Wilson! I am Lady Fraser, though ye may call me Isobel,” she called out, her voice carrying on the breeze. “It’s a joy tae finally meet ye! Roderick’s spoken so many wonderful things about ye.”
Moira nodded, nervously adjusting the sides of her woolen skirt. She wasn’t sure how to deal with praise, especially given the situation she was in. Nevertheless, Lady Fraser continued, eager to make Moira feel at home.
“I’ll tell ye, lass, we were all so surprised when Roderick announced he was ready tae marry, and tae a woman he claimed tae love at that! But when we heard yer family name, well...” Lady Fraser smiled wider, clasping her hands together. “We couldnae think of a finer match. It’s like it was meant tae be.”
Moira smiled, her expression pleasant and composed, exuding the quiet ease she had mastered over years of navigating freshly spun lies. “Thank ye kindly,” she said softly.
“Come on inside. Everyone’s been waitin’ tae meet ye,” Lady Fraser said, gesturing toward the heavy wooden door. “We have prepared a grand welcome fer ye.”
Looping her arm gently through Moira’s, Lady Fraser led her through the castle’s main hall. Their footsteps echoed off the smooth stone floor as Moira took in the splendor of her surroundings. She gazed in awe at the high vaulted ceilings, while in contrast the glow of the hearth and the richly woven tapestries gave the room a welcoming warmth.
A cluster of smiling faces awaited them, gathering eagerly as Isobel began introductions. Moira managed polite nods, but her attention kept drifting to a figure at the far end of the room.
