Mercy chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip. She wasn’t certain that Abbey was strong enough to deny the bishop. “Have you considered running?”
“Running?”
“Leaving the village.”
“Where would I go? A woman and a child alone on the road?” Abbey shook her head. “I couldn’t do that.”
Kit and another boy with dark hair ran past them.
“Don’t forget the horse!” Mercy called after Kit.
The boys giggled as they disappeared into the field of long stalks.
Mercy started across the yard toward the cottage. The clouds had covered the sun and a cool breeze touched her cheeks. She caught a glimpse of Kit and Luke through the crops as they jumped up and down to scare the birds. So innocent. She wished they could just be boys and not have to worry about the bishop and being torn away from their families.
Mercy and Abbey had made it halfway across the yard, when she heard conversation coming from the road. Low conversation. She glanced toward the road to see Simon the farmer and Lief the town’s rat catcher, walking toward her. The bald spot on Simon’s head shone in the sunlight. He used a hoe to aid him in walking, even though he didn’t need it. Lief was younger than Simon, with brown hair that was plastered to his head.
She quickly handed the basin to Abbey. “Bring this inside.”
“I’m not leaving you. You know what they want.”
Mercy wiped her hands on her brown skirt and approached the men as tingles of trepidation shivered down her spine. “Good day!”
The men stopped talking and walked up to her. Lief pushed his brown hair flat with his hand as he approached.
Mercy realized what Abbey was speaking of. Dread welled up inside her. She mentally counted the day and realized with growing alarm that it was Friday. She was to have an answer for Lief. She should have told him no immediately when he asked to marry her, but she was so tired she just wanted to get home. She had promised to have an answer for him by…today.
“I’ve come for your answer,” Lief said.
“And I’m here as a witness,” Simon added.
Abbey grumbled something unintelligible about Simon.
Mercy drew in a deep breath. She didn’t want to hurt Lief but had no intention of marrying him. He could not protect Kit. And that would be the only reason she would marry again.
“Lief,” she started quietly. “I appreciate your offer –”
“It’s dangerous out here on the fringe of the village all by yourself,” Simon said, cutting her off. He glanced at the field and then the cottage. “How long before a brigand comes and steals your horse?”
“Walter visits to make sure Kit and I are safe.”
“As do I,” Abbey added.
“And what good would you be against brigands?” Simon demanded of Abbey in a sharp tone. “Walter is an old man. He is no deterrent to thieves. Now, Lief here is strong and fit.”
Not for a sword, Mercy wanted to say, but kept silent. She began to shake her head.
“Think on it, girl,” Simon warned. “You are in no position to be alone.”
Mercy narrowed her eyes at Simon. “Shouldn’t you be harvesting your crops?”
Simon scratched his stringy brown hair. “Amelia is working the fields.”
“Your wife?” Mercy gasped. Simon was a lazy man, prone to letting others do his work. Poor Amelia. “Alone? Aren’t you worried about thieves coming to rob you?”
Simon grimaced in distaste.
“You should help her,” Mercy advised.
