Page 13 of Bound to a Warrior
“There was nothing you could have done, and we couldn’t stop.” She nodded toward his unblemished feet. “Your feet are accustomed to strenuous hikes?”
“I’ve walked a good portion of the Highlands.”
“Where are you from in the Highlands?” she asked, curious to know more about him.
“Not far from here,” he said. “And where do you call home?”
Since he wasn’t forthcoming with answers, she purposely kept her response vague. “We’re far past my home.”
“Where is it you’ll be going when you’re free of me?”
His question jolted her. How was it that in such a short time she had grown accustomed to having this man by her side? And the thought of not seeing him ever again, while a foolish musing, actually disturbed her.
“As far away from here as possible,” she admitted with a degree of sorrow. “And you? Where will you go?”
“I will remain with my family and friends and tend to my duties.”
She would have liked to know more, but a crunch of leaves had them both anxiously scurrying to their feet.
Two squirrels in play tumbled along the ground and then raced up a tree to jump from branch to branch until they were out of sight.
“We need to find shelter,” Duncan said as he turned, snatched up his boots, tugged them on and then reached for hers and the sack of food.
She took them from him, but before she could slip them on, he startled her by scooping her up into his arms and settling her firmly against him.
“You’ll stay off those feet,” he said as if he just passed an edict.
Authoritative tones did not rankle Mercy, as she knew well how to deal with them. Besides, the prospect of not having to walk another step was just too appealing to deny. But there was one thing he forgot.
“That means you’ll be doing the same,” she said, rattling the chain.
“Damn,” he mumbled and abruptly stopped.
While annoyance sparked his dark eyes, worry was quick to wrinkle the arch between his eyes. It embedded itself deep. That he could feel such concern for her had Mercy wishing that she could reach up and caress his worries away.
She did with words what she couldn’t do with a touch. “Your thoughtfulness touches my heart and I truly appreciate it, but let us get done with what we must and then we both can rest my weary feet.”
He smiled. “You are a rare beauty in more ways than one.”
She sighed a bit dramatically. “I’ll never grow tired of your compliments.”
“I’ll never stop giving them.”
Her heart gave a little ache, for his compliments would stop when finally they separated. She silently chastised herself. Hadn’t she been taught to rely on no one, particularly a man? She had to keep her wits about her if she were to survive.
“We best get settled,” she said reluctantly, since she found comfort and safety in his arms.
She noticed that he released her hesitantly, but then perhaps it was the warmth of their bodies he unwillingly surrendered.
They decided on a secluded spot in a grove of shrub. They suffered a few scratches to gain entrance, but the protection it offered was worth the small wounds. They made quick work of putting together a bed of leaves; and while both were beginning to feel the chill of the setting sun, neither was willing to build a campfire and tempt being caught.
When night completely claimed dominance over the day, they sat on the bed, the worn, warm wool blanket wrapped snugly around them, and enjoyed the remainder of the food. It wasn’t much, but it was a feast to them.
“It took such little time for the soldiers to discover that we survived,” she said with concern. “Do you think it will delay our journey to your home?”
Duncan nodded, swallowing the last piece of his portion of cheese. “No doubt. We’ll need to stay off the well-traveled roads, but my main concern is that the soldiers have stopped at most of the farms in the area, robbing them of the tools that can set us free.”
“I never thought of that,” she admitted.
