Page 69 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior
Moira shot Roderick a panicked look, but she was surprised by how calm he appeared. It was as though he had already anticipated her arrival, and with steady steps he led them to his study, where he swiftly opened and closed the doors.
Once inside, Edin reached into her cloak, retrieving a sealed letter. She held it out to Roderick, who accepted it with measured caution. The letter bore the Triad’s official stamp as expected, and Moira eyed it carefully as Roderick took out the letter, reading it silently to himself.
As his eyes scanned the page, his face broke into a smile, as did Edin’s.
“What is it?” Moira demanded impatiently.
“Well, ye will certainly be sayin’ goodbye,” Roderick said.
“I dinnae understand, why are ye smilin’?”
Edin tutted. “Give the lass the letter,” she said. “I’ve tortured her enough.” Roderick chuckled, shaking his head as he handed the letter to Moira. Her fingers trembled slightly as she took it, dread still lingering in her chest. She unfolded the parchment and let her eyes dart across the words.
As the meaning sank in, her breath caught sharply in her throat.
“Dear Laird Fraser,
Thank ye fer writing.
Though an unorthodox request, we are willing to accept yer generous donation of lands in exchange fer Moira’s hand.
Should Moira wish tae marry ye an’ spend the rest of her days wi’ ye in Castle Fraser, she may dae so with nae objection from us. We are officially releasing her from her contract.
The Triad.”
Moira couldn’t believe it.
Her hands trembled as she read the words again, just to be sure. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath shallow.
“Roderick…” she whispered, looking up at him, disbelief shining in her eyes. “Ye did this?”
He met her gaze steadily, his lips curving into a small, knowing smile. “Aye,” he said, his voice calm but warm. “I was nae about tae let them tak’ ye from me.”
The Triad had held control over her for so long—long enough that she had never dared to dream of true freedom. And yet, here it was, written in ink, sealed with their mark. No threats. No conditions.
Only a choice.
Her choice.
She was finally free.
“Nay one is makin’ ye be me bride of course,” he said. “That part is only if ye want.”
Bursting with joy, Moira’s vision blurred with fresh tears. She almost jumped toward Roderick, wrapping him into a tight hug.
“Of course, I dae,” she said. “There’s naething I want more. I cannae believe that ye managed tae dae this, I didnae think it was possible.”
“Aye,” Roderick said, kissing her lightly on her forehead. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
She gained her composure, separating herself from Roderick before looking over at Edin, who was watching her with a bemused smirk. “I was startin’ tae think ye might faint,” Edin teased. “Ye looked as though ye’d seen a ghost.”
“Did ye ken this whole time?”
“Aye,” Edin said. “I didnae ken the full nature o’ it but I kenned that this was goodbye fer us, nae fer the two o’ ye.”
“So ye were teasin’ me?” Moira smiled. She was too giddy to actually be annoyed, and she could see the fondness in Edin’s expression.
“Aye,” Edin admitted with a chuckle. “But only a wee bit. Ye deserve happiness, Moira. An’ it’s clear as day that Laird Fraser makes ye happy.”
