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’ssuggestions. “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.
