Paced slowly or slowly paced?

[u/RusticBohemian]

"I slowly paced across the small cobblestone square in front of the house."

Or

"I paced slowly across the small cobblestone square in front of the house."

Is there a rule about whether the adverb should go before or after the verb? Is it just a matter of preference?

[u/Liepuzieds]

Can you describe it in other words? I'm not a fan of "paced" in either of those sentences, could another word be used?