Page 89 of Bound to a Warrior
Rand twisted round in Duncan’s arms, smiling and jabbing his tiny finger in all directions. “That way, that way, that way.”
Mercy had to chuckle. He was so adorable, red curly hair, round, chubby face and the roundest green eyes she had ever seen.
“What were you and your sister doing when she lost you?” Mercy asked.
“Picking sticks.”
Duncan explained. “His mother, Cora, crafts most of our baskets.”
“Big,” Rand said, swinging his arms wide, then bringing them back together. “Small.” He grinned. “Ma makes them all.”
She grinned. “He is so cute.”
“He is a terror, forever getting lost and getting into something.”
Rand giggled as Duncan tickled him, and then he threw his small arms around his neck. “You found me.”
“More like you found me, little one.”
“We should find his sister,” Mercy said. “She must be frantic looking for him.”
“It’s happened so many times, I’m surprised she didn’t tie a rope around him,” Duncan said.
Rand laughed, tossing his head back. “Alida tie me. I broke fee.”
Mercy had to laugh. Rand may be a handful but she wouldn’t mind a son like him, full of life and inquisitive enough to explore on his own.
Suddenly frantic shouts ripped through the air. “Rand! Rand!”
“Alida!” Rand shouted back.
“Rand!” the young girl yelled.
“I have him, Alida,” Duncan called out.
“Thank God,” Alida shouted and within moments burst past the trees.
She looked barely ten years, pretty and with the same red hair and green eyes as Rand. The small lad stuck his arms out as soon as he saw her. She took him, though how she managed to hold the squiggling child was beyond Mercy.
“I’ll see you two home safe,” Duncan said.
“Thank you, but I must go retrieve my bundle of branches. Mother is expecting me to bring them home and will be disappointed if I don’t.”
“I’ll go with you to get your bundle,” Duncan said.
Mercy wasn’t surprised that he wouldn’t leave Alida and Rand on their own. She believed that Duncan didn’t realize just how much of an honorable man he was and how very proud she was of him.
Mercy stepped forward and extended her hand to the girl. “Hi, I’m Mercy and I’ll help too.”
“That’s very kind of you, m’lady,” Alida said with a bow of her head.
Mercy caught her smile before it faltered, not wanting the young lass to think she had said something wrong. She hadn’t expected to be addressed as a noble woman. After all, she was the bastard daughter of the king, not his legitimate daughter, though she was his only child.
To Alida’s relief, Duncan took the restless Rand and hoisted him up to sit on his shoulders. The child giggled with glee and they were soon off to help Alida.
When all was done and the children deposited safely at their parent’s cottage, and a beautifully crafted basket given to Mercy in appreciation for her help, Duncan surprised her with a suggestion.
“We’ll go gather some food from Cook, put it in your basket and find a private spot to eat and talk.”
