Page 10 of Bound to a Warrior
“They may not know,” Duncan said. “They just may not be taking any chances.”
“One of you must be—”
Mercy gave a little yelp and instinctively slipped into the crook of Duncan’s arm, which he immediately slipped around her as they both turned to face Bailey.
“Sorry,” Bailey apologized. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“You’re light on your feet,” Duncan said.
“Old habit,” Bailey confessed.
“Not a bad one to have,” Duncan said.
Bailey held out a sack. “There’s bread and cheese and a blanket. The Highlands get cold at night.”
“What about you and your wife?” Duncan asked, his arm remaining protectively around Mercy.
“We’ll be leaving here soon enough,” he admitted. “It won’t take the soldiers long to pick up your tracks and trace them back here. My wife, Kate, will give birth in about five months and I want her and our child safe.”
“I’m so sorry that it is because of us you are forced to leave your home,” Mercy said.
Bailey sneered. “It’s not our home. The king claims everything. I but work for his pleasure.”
“What will you do?” Mercy asked anxiously.
“I intend to go find the true king of Scotland and join his battle to restore him to his rightful power, so that my land will be mine.”
“Some believe the seer’s prophecy that the true king will soon return nothing but myth. You believe otherwise?” Mercy asked.
“I have to believe, or else there is no future for my wife and unborn child,” Bailey said.
Duncan reached out his hand. “We wish you well and we are grateful for your help. May your journey be swift and safe, my friend.”
“I have no doubt it will be,” Bailey said.
Duncan took Mercy’s hand and they both hurried off, neither commenting on Bailey’s unfinished remark.
One of you must—
They kept silent, though each thought over what Bailey intended to say.
One of you must be mighty important for the King to be searching so hard for you.
Chapter 4
They walked for another hour before they settled in the safety of a thick grove of oaks. Mercy eagerly accepted the hunk of bread and cheese Duncan offered her before taking any for himself.
While there were questions she wished to ask him, she was just too hungry to waste time on talk. And though she knew her empty stomach would want more than Duncan had given her, she also knew they would need to be careful with the sparse amount they had.
Though she hadn’t voiced her thought, Duncan agreed. “While hunger still gnaws at me, it would be wise for us to conserve.”
Mercy nodded. “At least it is good to have a little, and we’re lucky that Bailey’s wife bakes such delicious bread.”
“It is good.” Duncan smiled. “Or we’re too hungry to notice.”
Mercy laughed. “You are a humorous one.”
Duncan dusted his fingers. “A smile shared is far better than a frown given.”
