Page 14 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior
She looked to Roderick, whose lips remained set in a firm line, his arms folded across his large chest.
“Ye are distracted,” she commented.
“Nae distracted, Moira,” he said. “Just determined. I ken that’s something ye can appreciate.”
“Och it is,” she said, “An’ I’m as serious as ye are, believe me, but there’s nay harm in havin’ a laugh now an’ then. I ken me joy has upset ye tonight, an’ fer that I apologize, me laird.”
Roderick’s gaze flickered to her, his jaw tightening slightly as she spoke, and Moira felt a strange sensation flicker across her chest. Why did she care so much about lightening Roderick’s mood? With nothing left to investigate the two of them could leave, but neither moved.
“Aye, I have nae problem wi’ a laugh,” he finally said, his voice quiet. “But there’s a time an’ place fer everythin’. An’ this,” he gestured vaguely around the room, “this isnae a time fer jest.”
“An’ what if I tell ye a really fine joke?” She asked, getting up from the edge of the table and standing before him. The lantern was on the desk now, illuminating Roderick’s solemn face, and the sharp edges of his features.
“What kind of joke?” he asked, his expression still defiant but with a glint of subtle engagement that spurred Moira on.
“A fine one,” she said, her voice playful but with an underlying warmth that she couldn’t quite suppress. She raised her brow, her lips turning with a wry smile. “A bit different.”
Roderick sighed, but there was a playful light in his eyes.
“Alright then,” she continued, leaning closer. “Why did the scarecrow win an award?”
“Really, Moira?”
“Answer the question, Roderick.”
“I’m nae answerin’ that.”
“Come on, Roderick!”
Her voice was only a little louder than the previous whisper, but still, it had the intended effect. Roderick hushed her with careful eyes.
She didn’t know what was making her so playful, for this was not her usual nature, but it was as though lightening Roderick’s mood was part of her mission—and Moira never failed at those.
“Answer the question,” Moira smiled.
“Fine, I dinnae ken, Moira.” he said in an overtly bored tone. “Tell me, why?”
“Because, Roderick, he was outstandin’ in his field.”
Moira raised an eyebrow, and Roderick blinked his expression serious, as though he was trying to process the absurdity of her joke.
“Did ye understand it?”
He began to shake his head, his expression softening, and much to Moira’s surprise, a faint smile tugged at his lips. It was subtle, almost undetectable, but as soon as Moira saw it, she knew she had won.
“Ye’re ludicrous,” he said. “But nae the worst joke I’ve heard.”
Moira grinned, a strange warmth spreading across her chest as they shared a brief, unexpectedly intimate moment in silence.
Suddenly, she remembered where, and with whom she was, and her expression closed off, now that her mission for the evening was complete.
“We best be on our way,” she said clearing her throat. “I have nae idea what time it is, but I’m sure it’ll be gettin' light soon.”
Roderick agreed, collecting the lantern and leading the way out of the dusty chamber. As Moira closed the door carefully behind them, she spoke again, this time her words a whisper.
“In all seriousness, Roderick, while I’m nae sure that yer faither has been killed, I dae agree wi' ye that something seems amiss. I dinnae ken what it is yet, but I dae understand why ye asked me here.”
Roderick’s steps slowed, the air between them suddenly shifting back to the coldness of before. He didn’t speak at first, and Moira couldn’t help but wonder whether she had pushed him back into the depths of his spiraling thoughts.
