Page 70 of Bound to a Warrior
“And here she’ll stay,” Duncan said, glancing down at her.
Mercy didn’t reply. She closed her eyes while Mara continued to tend her. She didn’t want to think of the future, for then she might hope and in the end she would be disappointed. She knew she would. Her mother had and her mother before her. In a strange way, it seemed to be the destiny of all women in her family.
“Her arm was injured, though suffered no wound,” Duncan informed his mother after she had thoroughly cleansed the head abrasion and had applied a healing paste.
Mara looked over her arm, moved it about some and when Mercy winced told her, “Time will need to see to this.” Then she leaned closer to Mercy and asked, “Anything else you need me to tend?”
Mercy blushed and whispered, “My backside, though I don’t know why it should pain me.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Duncan asked.
“And what business is her backside of yours?” Mara snapped.
Duncan leaned closer to Mara. “Since I’ve already seen it, it is my business.”
Mara grinned. “Then it’s a wedding we’ll be planning soon.”
“How is she?” Trey asked entering the room.
“She’s just fine,” Mara said. “But you and your father have to leave while I tend to a private area.” She pointed to the door. “Out. The two of you.”
Duncan grinned.
“And you shut your eyes,” Mara said shaking her pointed finger at Duncan.
Mercy shook her head at him hoping he’d understand that while there wasn’t any part of her he hadn’t seen, seeing any part of her naked while in front of his mother would embarrass her.
He winked and grinned at Mercy and she was relieved he understood.
“All right,” he grumbled teasingly. “But I do so under protest.”
“You can protest all you like. You’ll still do what I say,” Mara ordered though retained her smile.
Mercy liked Mara. She took no backtalk even from grown sons, and she obviously loved them since her eyes always twinkled with love and humor whenever she looked at them, especially when she playfully scolded them.
Mara hoisted her skirt after Mercy pointed to where she had felt the dull though constant pain. Mercy relaxed under her gentle probing.
“What’s wrong?” Duncan demanded. “You’re not saying anything. Is it a bad wound?”
“A bruise that’s all, though if you shared Trey’s horse to get her here, which I imagined you did,” Mara said. “It caused further bruising. This wound, like her arm, will require time to heal.”
“Then she’ll rest,” Duncan commanded.
“Not on her backside she won’t,” Mara said with a chuckle as she pulled Mercy’s skirt down to cover her.
“Can I open my eyes now?” Duncan asked.
“Aye, all done,” his mother said and began returning things to her healing basket.
“Are you all right?” Duncan asked running a gentle hand over her sore arm.
“Truly I am,” Mercy said, not wanting him to worry but comforted by his concern.
“We’ll need to get you two to Harry the smithy,” his mother said.
Mercy knew that their separation was imminent, but she preferred to prolong it even if it was just for a little longer.
“Actually,” Mercy said, “could we possibly eat first?”
