“He can be stubborn,” Thayer murmured.
“Aye, he can.”
“And hot-tempered.”
“Oh, aye, that is certainly true.”
Thayer laughed softly at the heartiness of her reply. “Gave you some trouble, did he?”
“A bit, but he settled to the chore. I am hoping he will see how hard the work is and feel a little sympathy with those who must do it. At least enough to see they need no added work.”
“Aye. ’Tis a lesson he should learn. He has not had much to do with—well, with life like this.”
“I know.” She sat up and settled herself comfortably in his ready hold. “That is why I did no more than gently scold him for making such a mess of his bedding the first time. He must learn, though. And learn from the start.”
“Aye, and you must take time away from all this.” He stood up and tugged her up after him.
“I must, must I?”
“You must. You have been hard at work since we arrived. First you tended me until my wound was healed, then you worked hard to see all ran smoothly here. And now”—he grinned—“you wrestle with a stubborn boy. Aye, you are in need of fleeing it all for a while.” He led her out of their chambers.
“And where am I fleeing to?” She hurried along, needing to trot in order to keep apace with his long strides.
“A quiet spot I found on one of my rides over the property.”
She asked no more questions as they made their way to the stables. Thayer had only one horse saddled. He set her up before him as they rode out of the keep. She only partially noticed how he curtly waved away offers of a guard. Her attention was on the land around her. Tired from the journey, she had noticed little as they arrived and she had not yet done much exploring outside the keep’s thick, protective walls.
The spot he brought her to struck her momentarily speechless with its beauty. Well watered by the same stream that curled by Riverfall, the area was lush and green. Wildflowers bloomed in abundance. The stream tumbled musically over a rocky bed. Walking to the edge of the swiftly flowing water, she dabbled her fingers in its clear depths.
“’Tis just as cold as it looks,” she murmured as she dried her fingers on her skirts.
Sitting down, his back against a gnarled, vine-cloaked tree, Thayer nodded. “It takes little warmth from the sun.”
“A shame. It looks inviting.” She moved to sit beside him, laughing softly when he picked her up and set her on his lap. “’Tis peaceful here. When did you find it?”
“When I was riding the borders of the demesne.”
“Is it good land?”
“Some. T’will not make us so wealthy that we need never count our coins, but t’will not leave us poor either.”
“Good enough then.”
“Aye.” Wrapping his arms around her, he idly nuzzled her hair, enjoying the sweet, clean smell of it. “I will intercede with Bek if you like.”
“Nay. I think it best if I do it on my own.”
“Aye, so I thought, but I wished to make the offer. I think things have changed too quickly for the boy. His temper flares more often than it used to.”
She placed her hands over his. “He will settle. There may be some fear that you will set him aside. He will soon see that his place with you will not change. I suspect he is also unused to a woman having any say over him.”
“True enough. His has been the world of men and battle.” He frowned when his mount began to act nervously.
Feeling the sudden tension in him, Gytha asked, “Is something wrong?”
“Not sure.” Setting her aside, he stood up, his hand on his sword. “Something has made the horse restless.”
As she began cautiously to stand, an arrow cut through the air. She cried out softly in utter horror as it pinned Thayer to the tree. When she scrambled to her feet, intending to help him, he used his free hand to shove her back down.
