Part 34 (1/2)

'Of course, Mila, please.'

In her arms Mila carried Liv, who was asleep, smelling like lavender, and making soft breathing noises. 'Lady,' Mila said. 'You once told me I may ask you for anything.'

'Yes,' Fire said, looking at the girl, surprised.

'I'd like to ask your advice.'

'Well, you shall have it, for whatever it's worth.'

Mila dropped her face to Liv's pale, fuzzy hair for a moment. She almost seemed afraid to speak. 'Lady,' she said. 'Do you think that in his treatment of women, the king is a man like Lord Archer?'

'Goodness,' Fire said, 'no. I can't see the king being careless with a woman's feelings. It seems fairer to compare him to his brothers.'

'Do you think,' Mila began, and then sat suddenly on the bed, trembling. 'Do you think a soldier girl from the southern Great Greys, sixteen years old with a baby, would be mad to consider-'

Mila stopped, her face buried against her child. And Fire felt the rise of her own clamouring happiness, like warm music ringing in the s.p.a.ces inside her. 'The two of you seem very fond of each other's company,' she said carefully, trying not to give her feelings away.

'Yes,' Mila said. 'We were together during the war, Lady, on the northern front, when I was a.s.sisting Lord Brocker. And I found myself going to him a very great deal, when he was recovering from his injury and I was preparing for my own laying in. And when Liv was born, he visited me just as faithfully, despite all his duties. He helped me to name her.'

'And has he said anything to you?'

Mila focused on the fringe of the blanket in her arms, from which suddenly protruded a fat little foot that flexed itself. 'He's said that he'd like to spend more time in my company, Lady. As much time as I'm willing to allow him.'