Page 21 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior (Highland Whispers of Love #1)

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, this would all 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.

“Edin,” she said, trying her best to cover her shock, “what brings ye here?”

Moira looked around cautiously, but there was no one else there, and she wondered how she had managed to get through.

She suddenly realized that she’d also been sloppy—of course, Edin wouldn’t be using her given name.

She nearly cursed beneath her breath. She knew that all this time with Roderick had likely weakened her skills. She was already becoming soft.

“It is great tae see ye,” Moira said.

“Aye an’ ye,” Edin smiled, “although that look on yer face seems tae tell me otherwise.”

“Nay,” Moira stuttered, “that isnae true. I am just surprised, is all. I apologize.”

Moira took Edin quickly into a tight embrace.

It was good to see her, but at the same time, Edin was a reminder of a life Moira had no desire to return to, and she found it hard to disguise that response.

“I have an urgent message fer Laird Fraser,” she said. “Dae ye ken where I might be able tae find him?”

Moira swallowed a deep breath. She had assumed that she might be in trouble, but had she now gotten Roderick in trouble too?

Her heart clenched, and her words caught in the back of her throat. She didn’t know whether to start pleading, or whether that would only make things worse. Edin was close to her, but still, the Triad and its rule were above everything else.

“I think he is tendin’ tae his duties, is there anythin’ I can pass on?”

Edin’s face broke out into an expression she couldn’t quite make out. It was as if she were in on some grand joke that Moira had yet to understand. And in true Edin fashion, she met Moira’s gaze with a wry, knowing smile.

“It is a letter dear, so I dae need tae pass it on tae him.”

“Aye,” Moira nodded, “of course. I’ll just go find out exactly where he is, please excuse me.”

“That is nay bother,” Edin said. “I’ll come wi’ ye, the castle looks beautiful.”

Moira forced a smile, “O’ course,” she said, keeping her voice light. “Follow me.”

As she led Edin through winding halls, her mind raced. She had to get to Roderick first, to give him some sort of warning, but she didn’t know that anything she could say would truly help. She thought hard about her options, searching for a way that she could escape the fate laid before her. She’d been wracking her brain all these days, but she still had nothing.

“Ye seem well,” Edin remarked, glancing sideways at Moira. “Almost settled.”

Moira swallowed. “Aye, Castle Fraser has been kind tae me.”

“That’s good,” Edin mused. “It would be a shame if anythin’ were tae change that.”

Edin was teasing her, and although that was simply the way she was, Moira couldn’t understand how Edin could be so lighthearted about something so terrible for her. But of course, Edin couldn’t have known all that was happening in Moira’s heart.

Moira’s breath caught when she saw Roderick ahead. He was speaking with one of his men, but the moment his gaze landed on her, his lips curled into a smile, brief and fleeting.

Moira watched as he excused himself from his conversation. He came toward them, and her heart jolted. As he neared her, she took in his face—rugged, strong, achingly familiar. The thought struck her like a blade: this could be their last moment together. Oh! But how was she to let him go?

Even in her distress Moira realized that if these were indeed their last moments together, despite the pain she would have to endure, she didn’t want to be cold with him. Her heart had opened, and every bit of agony would be worth the love Roderick gave her.

She’d choose it all over again if she had to.

“Moira,” he greeted her, his voice warm but edged with curiosity. His sharp gaze flicked to Edin. “An’ welcome, ye must be from...”

“Yes, clan Wilson sent me,” she said shortly, playing into the ruse that had become all too familiar to Moira. “I think ye will want tae be somewhere private fer this. I have an urgent message.”

“Aye, of course,” Roderick said, “just follow me this way.”

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.”

Moira’s heart swelled at the words.

“Ye must stay fer lunch!” Moira exclaimed. “We can sit outside in the gardens, an’ ye can meet some o’ the people who live here. There are plenty o’ people that I ken ye’ll like.”

Edin smiled, her head tilting slightly before she spoke. “Aye, that sounds like a fine idea Moira, but I only came tae deliver the message. I need tae be gettin’ on me way tae me next mission.”

Moira’s smile faltered slightly, but she nodded in understanding.

“Aye of course,” Moira said.

“But I’ll visit when I can. I’d like tae see ye happy in yer new life.”

Roderick placed a firm hand on Moira’s back, grounding her in the moment. “Ye’ll always be welcome here, Edin.”

Edin gave a final nod before stepping away. “Take care o’ yerselves. An’ Moira—dinnae let this one get away wi’ too much. He’s already made Triad history.”

Moira laughed. “Oh, I’ll make sure o’ it.”

As Edin departed, Moira turned to Roderick, the weight of her new reality settling in. “It’s real, isnae it?” she murmured, her fingers tightening around the letter.

“Aye,” Roderick said, brushing his knuckles along her cheek. “It’s real. An’ it’s only the beginnin’.”

Moira wrapped her arms around Roderick and he pulled her closer, his lips meeting hers. This time their kiss was not as pained as it had been all the times before, but it was filled with promise—soft, lingering, and unburdened by fear. They had their whole lives ahead of them.

She melted into him, savoring the warmth of his embrace, the steady beat of his heart against hers. For the first time in a long while, she wasn’t looking over her shoulder—she could just exist in the moment with him.

But there’s more…

Eager to learn what happened with Moira and Roderick ?