Page 77 of The Scarred Duke's Bride
Eyes wide and fascinated, Heather asked, “What did you do?”
“I took out my sword and brandished it at the monster shouting, ‘you will never win!’.”
Freya covered her mouth, trying to suppress a giggle. Heather’s mother was smiling fondly. Heather was hanging on every word.
“I dashed forward, leaped up the ship’s stern, and flew at the monster, stabbing him in the heart. Unfortunately, one of its great claws scratched me, and that’s how I got the scar on my face.”
“Whoa!” Heather said, gawping at him in wonder.
Eric got back on his feet, gently patting Heather on the head. “So, there you go. That’s what happened. Now, go on with your mother.”
The girl’s mother held out her hand for the girl to take and then walked off, Heather skipping along by her side. It didn’t take long before more people came up to them, some just to greet them, others to make an inquiry or a request.
Freya’s heart felt full.
I have the best husband.
Eric lifted his gaze to meet hers and smiled as they finally made their way back to the Manor at around midday. The tavern keeper had invited them to break their fast with him at his inn. Several villagers had joined them, some pointing out that it was the first opportunity they’d had to wish Freya and Eric well, following their marriage.
Freya had to admit that even though it was a far cry from how her father said they should relate to their tenants, it certainly seemed to be better and certainly more enjoyable.
“Thank you for suggesting that walk. My father always said that tenants didn’t know what they wanted, and so it was best not to ask — so as not to confuse them. Obviously, he was wrong.”
Eric shrugged. “I cannot speak for him, but as a person new to this life, I always find it beneficial to ask what people might require of me instead of just guessing.”
“Hmm, seems reasonable,” Freya said coyly as she laid her head briefly against his shoulder. “Who knew you were so wise?”
He cackled. “Well, I, for one, did.”
“What?” she replied in faux shock. “Are you sure?”
He snorted, giving her a sidelong glance. “Yes, I’m sure.”
As soon as they stepped into the compound, Isabella and William came running towards them. “Where did you go off to?” William asked.
“Silver was looking everywhere for you,” Isabella said.
William grinned, “He seemed worried that you might have run away.”
Freya snorted. “I wasn’t aware we were prisoners,” she said drily.
Isabella hooked her hand through Freya’s. “I think he just doesn’t like not knowing where you are.”
“Well, he is going to have to find a way around that because I am not spending the rest of my life apprising him of my whereabouts every minute of every day,” Eric declared, making both William and Isabella laugh. Freya smiled, shaking her head.
Eric winked at her, his eyes twinkling, and she laughed out loud.
They spent the rest of the day frolicking with William and Isabella. Freya realized that it had been a long while since she and Isabella had spent time together. She enjoyed the carefree time they were able to spend, much like they used to do before their father’s illness got worse.
She decided not to worry about the future for now. There was little she could do about it that she wasn’t already doing in any case. The rest of the week continued in that same vein, and Freya was happy. Whenever a niggling thought threatened to spoil her happy mood, she would either seek out her gardener or look for Eric to distract her in more physical ways.
She knocked on his office door and stuck her head in. “Are you busy?”
He looked up and smiled. “Never too busy for you.”
“Flatterer," she countered as she came in and closed the door behind her. She leaned against it, bending her knee slightly. “I haven’t seen you all day. Is there some issue that you are contending with?”
“Not particularly. I was just going through the farm records. Growing up, I was exposed to many types of businesses except farming. It is certainly extremely fascinating. I am intrigued.”
