He'd watched her as he spoke, seeing the surprise in her eyes and he waited for her to ask about it. He didn't plan on her being cool longer, anyhow, but he nodded as he led her down the garden path to the stables.
"I was married a year or two after I left school. Her name was Liesl - she was from Germany. A lovely woman," he said, unaware that his voice went a bit tight. "She had a bad pregnancy and a worse childbirth. Neither of them made it."
He escorted her into the stables then, glad of the chance to change the subject as his favorite mare whinnied and sidled up to put her head out the door. Smiling, he reached out a hand to touch her velvety soft nose, her wings rustling a little as she scented Alicia.