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Jordan recovered rapidly over the next few days, eating well and begging to be let out in the sunshine with every other breath. The earl came to visit her several times a day, usually with Adam when the lad wasn’t standing watch outside her door. He was pleasant with her and thankfully kept his visits short. His show of concern touched her.

William tried not to be with her every minute now that she was recovering, but it was difficult for him. When he wasn’t with her, his mind was on her and it made it hard to concentrate on his duties. Yet with the passing days it was easier to focus knowing she was going to be well again. He knew she was almost fully recovered on the fourth day when she tried to seduce him, laughingly and playfully, but he fought her, although it had been extremely difficult. He promised her that there would be time enough for that later.

The knights, one by one, had taken turns watching her door and alternately sitting with her. It became obvious to Jordan that they thought she had been as good as dead, too, and she was pleased to see how relieved they were.

By far the knight who spent the greatest amount of time with her was Deinwald. He would come and read to her, sometimes all afternoon. She would fall asleep on him and wake up to find that he was still sitting next to her. He would not speak much of himself, but he read her the entire book of Plato’s Critias, a valuable part of the earl’s substantial library. Even gruff, crusty Ranulf came to see her every day. She took it on as a personal challenge to see if she could get him to smile at her, and she always won.

Jemma still had not returned to Langton. The earl decided that Lady Jordan had been through enough trauma and he would not add to her distress by sending her one and only lady-in-waiting back home. He did, however, write to the queen regarding obtaining a court woman for Jordan, and the answer had come back rapidly that a woman was on her way. Jordan didn’t know who was more apprehensive over that; her or Jemma.

Jordan had not seen Analiese or Alexander since the first day she had arrived. Neither one had so much as sent a message to her the entire time she had been in the infirmary, but she was not upset by it. If they wanted to ignore her, then so be it.

Remarkably, Jordan found herself alone in her rooms on the sixth day of her recovery. She was feeling much stronger and managed to get herself up from bed, albeit slowly, and make her way stiffly to the window. Her shoulder was wrapped tightly but she could move her arm and hand a little. The pain was there but bearable. She inhaled deeply of the sweet summer air; she relished it. She was happy to be alive.

She wore a robe of quilted gold brocade, a gift from her future husband. She ran a careful finger over her shoulder, wondering if she would ever feel comfortable wearing off-the-shoulder surcoats again with the ugly purple scar exposed. But she comforted herself in the fact that the scar was next to her neck on the thick of the muscle and easily covered by hair worn loose. It was silly feminine vanity, but a concern nonetheless.

As she inspected the feel of the healing wound, there was a knock on her door. It was only a courtesy, of course, for no one ever waited for her to open it. They simply barged in. She smiled warmly as the earl, followed by William, entered her bedchamber.

“Great Gods.” the earl exclaimed. “What are you doing out of bed?”

“Enjoying the day, sire,” she replied, then her eyes found William and she greeted him. “Sir William.”

As William acknowledged her with warmth in his eyes, the earl went to her and took her gently by the arm.

“I will not stand for this, my lady,” he led her back over to the bed and practically forced her to sit. “You must rest until you have regained all of your strength.”

“But, sire,” she begged. “I feel much stronger, truly, and I would be ever grateful if ye would allow me to go out in the sunlight, if only for a few moments. ’Twould help me recover faster, I know it.”

De Longley was weakened by the pleading. He looked doubtfully at her before glancing at William.

“What say you, Captain? Should I allow it?” he asked.

William shrugged, his eyes twinkling at Jordan. “I must agree with Lady Jordan, my lord. The fresh air will do her good. Besides, she is ready to tear down these walls and I cannot say that I blame her.”

The earl nodded after a long, thoughtful moment. “Very well,” he said to William. “Take her outside but do not let her feet touch the ground. And do not keep her overlong. Take Lady Jemma and a few of the knights if you wish. Hell, make a parade of it. Lord knows she deserved a celebration for surviving a nearly mortal wound.”

“Thank ye, sire,” Jordan said, excited she was actually going to be able to go beyond these four walls with William.

“My pleasure, my lady,” the earl replied. “But, in faith, that is not why my captain and I are here. This coming week will be one filled with events and we wish to brief you on what is coming. First but not foremost, my son, Adam, will begin his knighting ceremony at dusk tomorrow. As you know, this will go on all night until the morning when Sir William will receive him into the brotherhood.”

Jordan nodded her understanding. “Of course, my lord,” she said. “I am thrilled that your son is finally to be knighted. ’Tis a proud thing.”

The earl sat heavily in the chair next to her bed. “I have also received word that the king is in York and wishes to know just precisely when our wedding will be so that, if time permits, he may attend.” When Jordan looked surprised, he went on. “I have, therefore decided to push the wedding forward. We shall hold an engagement party in five days, followed two days later by the actual wedding. Can you be prepared for the wedding in a week?”

Now he asks, Jordan thought dryly. “Of course, my lord,” she said. “My dress is ready now.”

“Good lass.” The earl stood and looked at her, his expression softening just a bit. “I know a great deal happened in such a short time, especially in lieu of your condition, and I am sorry. I hope it will not tax you overly.”

“Nay, my lord,” she shook her head. “We Scots are a strong lot.”

His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Very well,” he pointed a finger at William. “Remain with her and see to her needs, I will see you later.”

“Aye, sire.” William followed him from the room and opened the closed door for him.

*

In the corridor outside of Lady Jordan’s chamber, pale blue eyes watched the earl as he left Jordan’s bedchamber and descended the stairs. The eyes narrowed; William had not come out. Because of that, it would be foolish to try anything with him standing guard over the Scottish slut.

And then there was the problem of the men standing guard outside of her chamber, men more loyal to William than to the family. It had been easy to slip the Welsh archer a necklace that belonged to Analiese to be Lady Jordan’s would-be assassin. The spoiled young woman wouldn’t miss the jewelry, anyway. She had enough of it.