Page 6 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior
“I see,” Moira continued. “An’ did yer faither go on this trip alone?”
“He always took councilmen with him when he went hunting. And they all returned in perfect health. Even though they had shared food and water, nae one of them fell ill besides me faither.”
Roderick noticed a glimmer of intrigue flicker across Moira’s face. He’d sparked her interest, and he watched as she appeared to be analyzing, lost in thought. She parted her lips as though she was about to speak but remained silent.
Roderick continued. “Right after returning from the trip, he spent some time in deep discussions with his Council. The issue was primarily that two of his councilmen, Lennox and MacDougall, were pressing him tae lease his lands.”
“So ye think they poisoned him?” Moira asked.
“I dinnae ken,” Roderick replied, running a hand through his hair. “But the timing is curious, is it nae?”
Moira sighed, consumed with her thoughts. “Curious daesnae mean proof, Roderick. Ye’ve asked me all this way fer what ye tell me isnae just a hunch, but it’s very likely that this may have been nay more than just a tragic accident. Just because we look fer meaning, doesnae mean that it’s there.”
Roderick’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, he felt a rise of frustration. His anger slowly simmered, but he managed to keep calm. He knew that his hot-headed nature would work against him rather than for him when it came to Moira.
“Ye might be right, Moira. Maybe in the end, we’ll find out that there was nae more tae me faither’s death than a careless, tragic mistake. But ye are the one who gave me that coin, and while ye may suspect that I’m wastin’ yer time, until I have answers, yer time is mine tae waste.”
Moira inhaled sharply, her cheeks flushing with what Roderick assumed was irritation. But before she could respond, there was a soft knock at the door.
Both of them turned sharply as the maid entered, her eyes widening in shock at how close they had been standing together. They were almost touching, Roderick’s tall, bulky frame towering over hers.
“Me lady,” she stammered, averting her gaze to the floor. “I apologize, I didnae mean tae interrupt.”
“That’s quite alright,” Roderick quickly answered.
The maid bobbed a quick curtsy and backed out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.
With the tension broken between them, Roderick relaxed a little, thrown off guard. Moira glanced to the corner of the room, her cheeks still flushed a light pink.
“I’ll leave ye tae it now,” Roderick said promptly, though his curiosity about Moira remained. “I look forward to seeing ye at the feast.”
With a polite bow Roderick exited the room.
Perhaps, he thought to himself,this investigation is going tae be a little more complex than I thought.
CHAPTER THREE
The feast had commenced in the castle’s main dining area, a long rectangular room with high stone walls that held the echoes of merry tunes, clinking chalices, and joyous laughter. Everyone was in attendance for Roderick and Moira’s betrothal feast.
Moira, who much preferred the silence and calculated whispers of her own inner thoughts, knew that she was going to have to feign a certain enthusiasm and openness that she wasn’t in the mood for. As she padded quietly down the stairs, toward the open dining room in the center of the first floor of the castle, she steeled herself for the evening ahead.
The sounds of the party, the feast inherhonor, reached her ears before her eyes observed the jolly scene.
In the center of the dining area was a long, wooden table, its surface covered by a tartan table cloth, and flickering candelabras casting a warm glow. Large platters of food, wild boar and buttered neeps and tatties, caught her eyes first.
Roderick sat at the table’s head, and to his right was a vacant seat, an oak throne with an intricately carved high-back.
She weaved easily past the chatting guests, dancing couples, and enthusiastic bagpipers, drummers and fiddlers, as for the most part they didn’t recognize her yet.
Moira mustered her most cheerful smile, locking eyes with Roderick first and then Lady Fraser who beckoned her over immediately, the beginnings of a wine-induced flush already spread across her cheeks.
“Aye, lass,” she called over the noise, “how bonnie ye look in yer dress!”
“Thank ye kindly,” Moira responded, her smile widening at the compliment.
Roderick stood and pulled out the seat for Moira, between his and his mother’s, opting for a smile rather than an embrace. He watched her silently.
In truth, dressing the part had been easy, it was when it came to talking where she would have to be more careful.
