Page 67 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior
But Roderick was not one for letting things go. As soon as Moira drifted off to sleep, he tucked her into his bed and kissed her lightly on her forehead.
He then slipped off to her chambers, where he rummaged through her things.
The Triad’s coin glimmered in moonlight as he brought it into view. He smiled to himself with quiet determination as he sat down to write a letter.
He was going to offer the Triad all of Lennox’s land in exchange for Moira’s hand.
If that didn’t work, he’d try something else. Anything. He’d do whatever it took to keep Moira safe and by his side, forever.
EPILOGUE
Three weeks later
Moira knew that she had stayed at the castle much longer than she should have. Every time she thought about leaving and returning to the Triad to fulfill her duty, Roderick found a way to stop her. He either kissed her, or simply told her to give it a couple more days.
He was impossible to refuse, but she was also not difficult to convince.
She loved him with so much force that she thought her heart might explode, and so they continued to spend each day together, making love, exploring the castle lands, and taking time for some well-deserved peace.
As they healed, the castle slowly started to heal too. It was difficult, given all the events that had transpired, but alongside the shock, there was a deep sense of resolution.
Malcolm had apologized to Moira profusely and he had offered up all the grain that he could spare to make up for the burnt crop.
Everyone in the castle still believed that Moira was Lady Wilson, as Moira knew that they couldn’t reveal her identity for the sake of her and Roderick’s safety, along with the Triad’s.
It was difficult for her, knowing that her masquerade as Roderick’s betrothed would soon be coming to an end. The fact that she would have to leave without saying goodbye and having those who she thought of fondly–Arabella, Isobel, Cameron–believe that she left of her own accord was a difficult burden for her to bear.
She wasn’t sure how she was going to do it. No part of her wanted to leave, and she knew that when she did, her heart would remain at Castle Fraser forever, with Roderick, nestled somewhere deep within its walls.
That morning, Moira had awoken alone. She had slept a little later than was customary because she had been up all night worrying about what lay before her. Roderick, she imagined, was probably off managing business or holding a meeting with his men.
After a week of them spending almost all their time locked away in his chambers, she knew he had a lot to catch up on.
Moira sighed, stretching her arms wide, and sipped a cup of tea that had been left for her on a nightstand by the bed, with a sugary biscuit and a note.
“Dinnae slip away just yet me love,
Fer our future together is closer than we think.
I ken it, even if ye dinnae believe.
With love,
Roderick”
She smiled to herself, though the warmth in her chest was shadowed by a deeper sadness, a reminder of the challenges they faced.
Moira dressed quickly and left her chambers, reminding herself that, despite the hopeful tone of Roderick’s note, thiswouldall have to come to an end. But Moira simply didn’t have the strength to face that today. Instead, she made her way down the stairs, deciding to see if Arabella was in the gardens and in the mood for a walk.
She felt the need to be outside, the castle walls felt stifling in her state of mind. She decided to stroll in the rose gardens first, and then perhaps she’d go into the small town to buy some treats for the castle staff. She was growing fond of them already, the maids, the cooks, all the people that made Castle Fraser feel like one big family.
Sadly, a family that she would have to leave behind.
As she neared the front door, her breath caught at the sight before her. A tall, slender woman with slicked-back hair and sharp eyes. Of course, she recognized her, but her appearance was so unexpected that Moira started.
Edin.
Her stomach twisted. Her first thought was that she’d been found out, that the Triad must know that her mission was complete, and she had been dilly-dallying on her return. Surely, they had sent Edin there to drag her back.
