Bound to a Warrior by Donna Fletcher Page B

generous amount in her face. She didn’t care that it trickled down her neck and over her blouse, she simply wanted to rid herself of the grime.
    She scrubbed her face and neck with her hand and gently patted around her eyes. She wished she could have taken her clothes off and dunked herself in the refreshing water. And while she didn’t doubt that Duncan would eagerly agree and join her, it wasn’t a wise idea.
    â€œYou’re beautiful.”
    Startled by Duncan’s firm declaration, Mercy turned to face him. And the truth and caring in his dark eyes had her saying, “You truly mean that, don’t you?”
    His laugh was gentle, just a slight ripple though it came deep from his chest, and for some reason it sent a tingle through her.
    â€œI wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it. You are a beautiful woman.” He smiled and ran a finger down her wet cheek. “Grime and all.”
    Mercy sat back on her haunches with a slump. “I am rumpled.”
    He laughed. And when she sent him a scowl, his laughter instantly ceased.
    His hand slowly reached out and cupped her chin. “You look like a woman who has been at play with her wee bairns, or busy in the field working alongside her husband, or tending the cook fire so that her family can eat a hardy meal. Or running to survive so that someday she can have bairns and a loving husband, and that, my wee lassie, is true beauty.”
    â€œThank you, you are generous,” she said. Her mother may have filled her head with becoming a kept woman, but it was always Mercy’s dream to find a man who would love her as much as she loved him and that they could share a life together. Duncan’s words had reminded her of that dream, and she wished with all her might that miraculously her dream would come true.
    â€œI am truthful and that makes the difference.”
    â€œChivalry and honesty, you will sweep me off my feet if I’m not careful,” she said with a smiling laugh.
    â€œAnother challenge, I am sure to win,” he declared confidently.
    A heavy rustle of leaves sounded, as if someone approached and they both swerved around, Duncan’s hand quickly moving to the hilt of his sword.
    Relief flooded Mercy when she caught sight of two squirrels tumbling playfully along the ground, then scurrying up a tree one in pursuit of the other.
    â€œI will be grateful for a reprieve from this constant worry,” she said, though she knew it would be short-lived.Soldiers would continue to search for her until the king’s edict was carried out…until she was dead.
    â€œYou will have it once we reach my home. A good meal, a bath, fresh clothes—”
    â€œThen why are we lingering?” she asked with a wide smile. “Let’s get moving.”
    He took hold of her hand but made no move to leave.
    She waited, knowing he had something important to say to her.
    â€œSoon we will be in an area that provides little shelter.”
    â€œThen it will be the same for the soldiers.”
    â€œAye, it will and more of a chance we’ll face battle,” he said.
    â€œI’ll be ready.” She nodded, though fear crept slowly along her spine.
    â€œThen we forge ahead,” he said and kept hold of her hand as they once again resumed their journey.
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    Night seemed to fall more quickly, but then they had walked longer than usual. And after a quick and light meal, since food dwindled, they settled to sleep. However, as exhausted as Duncan was, sleep eluded him. Thoughts stampeded through his mind like a herd of cattle, not sure where they were headed, knowing only they needed to keep going. Like a herd that would eventually be sorted, so would his musing, though not so easily. Somethoughts had easy solutions, others more difficult, and one of them was Mercy.
    He didn’t know how in less than a week a single woman could so change his life. He had always been focused on his mission. All of