Read Online Mercy's Prince by Katy Huth Jones - Free Book Online

the
warmth of the sun, Mercy shuddered.
    Rafael’s mention of a light reminded her that
Sister Providence had seen it, too. Had there been light under Papa’s hands
while he worked? She couldn’t remember ever seeing it. But why would her
experience be different from his? If only she could ask him about it! Before
she could collect herself and think about what needed to be done in the garden,
Serene appeared with a basket on her arm.
    “Hello, Mercy. Can you steal away to the river
for a little while? It’s very important that I speak to you there.”
    Mercy stood and wiped her hands on her apron.
    “I need to fetch water, so I might as well go
now as later.” She’d never seen such a radiant glow on Serene’s face before.
“Is there any reason you can’t talk to me here?”
    “Yes, but you’ll have to come to the river to
find out why.” Serene started toward the gate. “Come quickly!”
    Mercy went to fetch two buckets and a carry
yoke. It wasn’t like Serene to be secretive. But now she was so curious that
her earlier disquiet faded. She peeked inside the cottage and found Rafael
playing with his clay animals.
    “I must fetch water now. Stay inside and I’ll
be back shortly.”
    “Yes, Sissy.” Rafael didn’t even look up from
his playthings.
    Mercy shrugged the carry yoke over one shoulder
and walked as fast as she could to the village gate. Her Aunt Prudence was
gatekeeper today, sitting in a chair and carding wool.
    “Peace be to you, Auntie.” Mercy opened the
gate with her free hand.
    “And to you, Mercy. Going for water, I see.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Mercy hoped her aunt wasn’t in a
prying mood today.
    “Well, if you see Serene while you’re out
there, remind her of the respect she owes her elders.”
    “Yes, ma’am. I shall.” Mercy’s face became
warm. Before Aunt Prudence could say any more, Mercy was outside, shutting the
gate behind her.
    She hurried down the path. When she reached the
willow tree, Serene was pacing, anxious about something.
    “What is it?” Mercy whispered, fearful that
something dreadful was about to happen.
    Serene’s gaze bore into hers, as if she was
trying to See Mercy’s heart.
    “Do you really love Gabriel?”
    Mercy was so taken aback she couldn’t answer
right away.
    “I think so,” she managed to say.
    “Mercy! Either you love him or you don’t. I don’t
see how you could love him, though. He’s old enough to be your father. And he’s
so somber all the time.”
    “Yes, I know.” Mercy ducked her head. “But he
did choose me. He and father arranged everything.”
    “Aren’t you afraid to be trapped for life with
an old man? A stranger?”
    “He’s not a stranger.” Mercy frowned. “I’ve
known him since before Mama died, since he first came to our village and stayed
in our home. I’m sure after we’re married I will grow to love him in time.”
    “You don’t understand.” Serene shook her head.
“Love is more than that. It’s a feeling—well, it’s like having all the stars in
the sky crammed into your sewing basket. It’s when you want him beside you, and
no one else.” She smiled with a pleased look on her face.
    “Do you feel that way about Ishmael?” Mercy’s
heart skipped a beat. Maybe Serene would be able to tell her something of the
way of a man and a maid that no one else seemed to want to talk about. After
all, she was to be married before Mercy would marry Gabriel.
    “Of course not. That’s why I don’t want to
marry him. It wasn’t my idea, you know.” Serene lowered her voice. “I wanted
you to meet me here so I could tell you good-bye.”
    “Good-bye?” Mercy’s chest tightened, making it
hard to breathe. “Where are you going?”
    “I’m going to marry the man I love.” Serene’s
eyes burned with emotion.
    “What?” Mercy nearly lost her balance and had
to set down the carry yoke.
    “His name is Jacob.” Serene gazed across the
river. “I met him when he came to trade with my father