Warlord

Seven sunrises had occurred since she wed Bronson, and things had been going very well. Although she only saw him for a short time during the night because of his obligations with his army, she was thankful for the man she was now connected to. She had her handmaiden, Mattina, with her as she moved through the village, her silk gown dragging on the muddy ground behind her. She had two of Bronson’s men walking shortly behind her, and although she always felt safe in the muck she always called home—still did, in fact—she knew Bronson had enemies. This may be his land now, but that didn’t mean the people he destroyed to get it back would take their defeat like honorable men.

She greeted the people who had seen her grow into the woman she was today, and although by marriage and now name she was “above” them, in her heart she was still one of them.

“Milady.”

She smiled and lifted her hand to the elderly woman who used to bring treats to her when she was younger. She was no longer called Genevieve, but “milady,” and although she took pride in that title, she did miss being called by her given name. She turned the corner and saw her father’s small cottage in the distance. The lone mare that stood in the pasture grazed, the few chickens he had pecked at the ground, and the pig that was due to be slaughtered for meat lay in a mud pit under the sun. She saw her father bringing a bale of hay to the mare, and she all but ran to him. It may have only been a short time since she had seen him, but it felt like an eternity. Her foot got caught in one of her undercoats, and she fell forward… right into a puddle of mud. Slop covered her face, and she gasped. Bronson’s men were at her side seconds later, but she was too busy laughing to notice them lifting her off the ground.

“Milady, are ye hurt?” Cal, she believed his name was, asked her.

“Aye, I am okay, just messy,” she said through her laughter. She brushed off her gown and lifted her head to see her father coming toward her. He didn’t look concerned and instead was laughing at her. Her falling was a common occurrence.

“Sweetheart, ye have always had two left feet.” He embraced her, not caring that she was filthy, but then again, so was he.

She turned toward the two guards and her handmaiden. “Is it okay tae visit my da alone for a few moments?” She didn’t wait for their response and instead turned and started heading inside his small cottage. The scent that assaulted her had her closing her eyes and smiling. It was the one of her home, of her childhood memories, and of age and dust. It certainly wasn’t as clean as it had been when she lived here, but he had his hands full tending to the animals now that he was alone.

“How have ye been, child?” her father asked and sat down at the small table in the center of the room. He rubbed his forehead and breathed out.

“I am good, Da. How are ye?” She pulled the seat out and sat down. Her father handed her a rag, and she wiped off her face.

“I’m good, just tired. Today was verra challenging, as something spooked the mare and she could no’ get over it.” He leaned back in the seat, and although he looked tired, she knew he wouldn’t change this life for the world.

“But ye are okay, Da? I mean, ye donna need anything?”

“Nay, sweetheart. I have everything I need right under this roof and between these four walls. In fact, Lawson is sending his lad over tae help with the animals during the day.” He smiled and stood to grab them something to drink.

“I am glad tae hear that, because I worry about ye out here all alone.”

He scoffed. “No worries, lass. I have tended to fields, farms, and myself for longer than ye have been alive.” He grinned over at her. “Yer husband is treating ye well?” He handed her a mug of mead she knew he made earlier in the year. The scent of honey filled her nose, but she didn’t drink it right away.

“Aye, everything is well. Bronson is verra gentle and caring. Surprisingly.”

Her father smiled. “Aye, I could tell that under his tough exterior he would be a gentleman. A man like that must have many different layers.”

They stayed silent for a moment, and she couldn’t help but smile. “He is quite a male, Da.” She felt her cheeks heat once more, and she twisted her fingers together. “He wants babes right away.” She glanced at her father and saw him grin. She knew he wanted grandbabies as well, had wanted them a while ago.