Page 94 of Bound to a Warrior
“I picked up your tracks fast enough, but lost you when you entered Pict territory, since I would not dare go there. Your earlier tracks gave me a good indication of your destination, and I knew if I kept going that way, it would eventually lead me to the stronghold. And I had no doubt Duncan would get you safely home. So I came here and waited. Everyone was so good and generous to me, and then you arrived and I saw how you and Duncan looked at each other.” He shook his head again. “You two love each other as much as Kate and I love each other. And I knew the only way I could save my wife was to ask you.”
“Ask me?”
“To return with me so that they will set my wife and unborn child free. You could do this. You’re daughter to the king.”
Mercy stopped walking and stared at him.
“I don’t know what else to do,” he pleaded.
“We could talk with Duncan. A rescue could be planned.”
“They are too busy planning for the king’s return,” he said.
She looked at him oddly.
“You don’t know where you are?” Bailey asked.
“Duncan’s land.”
He shook his head. “You’re in the stronghold of the true king of Scotland.”
She took a step back startled by his remark. “Duncan fights for the true king?”
“He and his brothers were raised to protect the true king and to succeed in seeing that he claims the throne.”
“How do you know this?” he asked.
“There are men who cross the land recruiting others to join the fight. I heard one such man speak, and after hearing him tell of the brothers, who from the time they were young, trained to help seat the rightful king of Scotland, knew I wanted to be part of that fight.”
“How did Kate feel about your decision?”
“She agreed, wanting a better and freer life for our child. And after you and Duncan showed up, and I realized he was one of the brothers, I knew I could dally no more. Kate and I had to journey to the stronghold, and besides, I knew my wife and child would be safer there.”
“How did you know where it was?”
“That was simple. I only needed to track you and Duncan.”
“You followed us?” she asked.
“I’m a good tracker and can track from a distance, but enough of this. Will you help me?”
Mercy didn’t know what to say. She certainly couldn’t be responsible for a mother and unborn child’s death, and yet she knew Duncan would never agree to her returning to her father. It was a quandary and the solution not an easy one.
“I will not let your wife die because of me, but I know not how to approach this matter. I must think on it.”
“You won’t tell Duncan, will you?” he asked anxiously.
“It will be difficult for me not to do.”
“He will never permit you to leave.”
“He cannot keep me against my will,” she said.
“No, but his love can keep you here, just as my love brought me here.”
He was right about that, which made the situation all the more difficult. She had no idea what she would do.
“Let me think on it,” she said again.
