Chapter Twelve
Moira wasn’t sure what had happened between she and Errol, but ever since he’d met with that man in the pub, he’d hardly said aught to her. Just quick one or two word answers and his eyes had turned from a warm blue to an icy gray.
She’d overheard some of the words spoken between the two men. The man had called Errol a traitor. Had mentioned that he’d betrayed the clan by assisting her.
She didn’t think that was true at all. Aye, he was helping her, but he’d done naught against the MacLeods. She had to work hard to convince him to help her and when that didn’t work, Anna stepped in to assist.
But it didn’t matter. She couldn’t get him to talk to her. To have any sort of lengthy conversation.
Yet, he still led them to their destination.
The area where the cave was located was breathtaking.
Sitting high in the rocks, surrounded by the dark blue sea, the waves cresting, but never reaching the opening of the cave afore they crashed below.
Even during high tide, the water line was below the cave’s entrance.
She could tell because the line of the water had left a salty line of sediment where it reached.
That had to bode well for whatever the cave hid inside. It meant that any items inside would hopefully not be ruined by the salty water. Behind the rock cropping, a mountain peak was just visible, covered with trees and mounds of rocks. Just as the illustrations showed.
“Shall we?” she asked, turning to Errol who was standing off to the side, looking over the water, his jaw clenched tight. He looked as if he were fighting a war within himself.
“Ye need to stay close to my side. I’ll be damned if ye fall to yer death in the sea whilst climbing to the cave.”
Moira rolled her eyes. At least he had spoken two full sentences to her.
Little did Errol ken she spent many years climbing trees and rocks and running across the land, much to her mother’s chagrin.
More than once, she’d been told her actions were very unladylike.
Mayhap, but being outdoors was much more exciting than accompanying her mother in her sitting room learning how to stitch.
Although, if she had learned how to stitch, she might have done a better job dealing with Errol’s wound.
She still felt guilty that his arm would heal with a jagged scar consisting of her uneven stitches.
They made their way down the bank to where the waves lapped the rocks and moved to the left, where rocks piled onto each other, creating an uneven slope.
“Take care, Moira. The rocks are slippery.” He stepped up and turned to her, offering his hand.
Darting her tongue out to wet her lips, she looked at his outstretched hand and then met his eyes. He pulsed his hand forward, urging her to accept it.
“Come, Moira. ’Twill be easier now whilst the tide is low.”
Suddenly nervous, she took a deep breath, and grasped his hand, trying to ignore the bolt of warmth that shot up her arm.
With ease, he pulled her up so that she was on the same level as he.
They continued on, repeating the same move over and over until soon the mouth of the cave was almost eye level.
“Just a few more steps and we will be able to climb in.”
She smiled. They’d made it. Just then Moira made the mistake of looking down. Not realizing how high they had climbed, her heart jumped into her throat as her sight turned blurry. Her hand loosened in Errol’s grasp, and she felt herself slipping.
“Moira!” Errol called, snapping her back to attention.
She sucked in a breath as she felt herself begin to fall. With both hands, she grappled to take a steady hold of Errol.
Strong arms wrapped around her, keeping her steady. And safe.
He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving as his eyes searched her face. “Are ye well?”
She nodded, her chin tipped up to look at him, her breath caught in her throat.
His warm body, so close to hers, emanated heat, warming her skin.
She should step away, the opening of the cave was to her right. But for some unknown reason, she found that she couldn’t. She was very much enjoying the feel of his arms wrapped around her. She felt safe. Protected.
Errol didn’t step away either. Nor did he loosen his hold. Instead, his eyes bored into hers before dropping his gaze to her lips.
Her breath hitched. He looked as if he wanted to kiss her. Did he? Would he?
She wanted to find out.
She tilted her head up, giving him the access to do just that if he wanted.
He bit his lower lip. His eyes tracking her tongue as once again she wet her lips. Her mouth was suddenly so dry.
And then he closed the distance, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss. He held her tighter as his tongue sought entry and she allowed it on a sigh. Opening her lips for him, she sank deeper into his hold, looping her arms around his neck.
His kiss was all-consuming, and it stole her breath.
She’d never felt any sensation such as what was being awakened in her body. Her nipples tingled and she couldn’t stop herself from pressing into Errol’s body, trying to create friction between them that would ease the prickling excitement.
His hands dropped to her buttocks, pulling her closer, and she could feel his hard length against her belly.
She groaned and at the sound, Errol suddenly broke the kiss, pulling away from her. He put as much distance betwixt them as he could whilst still keeping her safe.
Errol cleared his throat. He looked like he was going to say something, but instead, he snapped his mouth shut and lifted her into the opening of the cave, then climbed in behind her.
Not kenning what to say, she pressed her lips together and remained silent. She brought her fingers to her lips and could feel they were swollen from the kiss. The sensation of his soft lips still lingered.
Errol rubbed the back of his neck as he stood rigidly at the entrance. He looked like he was fighting a war within himself.
She couldn’t blame him. She was sure she felt just as confused as he did. But she also wanted him to kiss her again. Was she wrong in that wanting? Mayhap. She would just keep that bit of information to herself for now.
“Shall we?” Moira asked, motioning into the mouth of the cave, trying to draw his attention away from what they’d just done.
Errol gave her a curt nod.
The position of the sun lit the interior of the cave, allowing them to see what was inside.
The ceiling was high enough that Errol could stand at his full height without having to crouch over.
The ground was covered with bits of dried seaweed, driftwood, and small rocks.
Things that birds or creatures probably brought in over an expanse of time.
She walked carefully so she didn’t twist an ankle. The air was cool, and she shivered as she trailed her hand along the wall.
“I half-expected to see a cupboard carved into the wall.” She chuckled. “Like the one I found at Hartsmoor.”
Errol grunted but said naught.
The cave was void of any furniture or other items that would be of use. Apparently the only inhabitants had been the animals.
“Moira, o’er here.” Errol summoned her closer.
She moved deeper into the cave and stopped at his side. “What is it?”
He pointed up. “See for yerself.”
Lifting her gaze, she gasped. Symbols covered the ceiling. She noticed the Hart family crest, alongside the MacLeod family crest. Intertwined arrows connected the two crests together. More clues that the Harts and MacLeods had, indeed, once been connected in some way.
“Why do ye think our families have told us for all of our lives that we are naught but enemies?”
Errol shrugged. “I dinnae ken.”
She wasn’t happy with that answer. “Clearly, at one time, we were no’. What do ye think happened to this couple?”
“I havenae any idea. I am seeing this for the first time just the same as ye are.”
Moira fought the urge to roll her eyes. He really wasn’t any different than her brothers. They would answer her questions in much the same way.
“I just dinnae understand. If, indeed, the Hart and MacLeod were joined in a marriage union…” She paused, trying to gather her thoughts and put them into words that made sense.
“If they truly were, I dinnae ken why that is no’ written in any of our history.
I have pored o’er our historical annals, and not once have I come across aught alluding to a Hart MacLeod marriage. ”
“Mayhap it wasnae kenned. Or mayhap they didnae want anyone to ken. Or, and this is a big or, what if it was a forbidden union and they went against their families?”
Moira cocked her head to the side as she thought about Errol’s suggestions. “I suppose that could have been the case, but how could that secret remain all these years? And why would they then go through all the trouble to create this grand chase?”
Errol sighed and leaned against the cave wall. “I dinnae have any answers for ye.”
She watched him as he tried to feign interest. Her fingers went to her mouth, remembering when Errol’s lips covered hers. She would very much like to experience that feeling that flooded her body when they kissed.
Since then, he’d kept her at arm’s length. Except for when he called her over to look at the paintings. Other than that, he’d kept his distance. Not initiating conversation. Leaving it up to her and only speaking when she asked him a question.
What would he do if she walked up to him right at this moment and pressed her lips to his once again? Would he wrap his arms around her? Or would he push her away? Earlier it didn’t feel like he wanted to push her away. Nay, it seemed he was very much enjoying the kiss.
Just as she was.
But she wanted more. Aye, they were on a mission, but she couldn’t stop thinking about the intimate moment they had shared earlier.
And she wanted to repeat it.
She took a tentative step toward him. When he didn’t lift his head to look at her. She took another. Then another. Until she was standing right in front of him.