Page 104

Even after the archer had been killed to keep him from talking and Lady Jordan had survived the attempt, the infection that followed nearly claimed her. But not quite.

The blue eyes blinked thoughtfully. The whore certainly had her hooks in dear, sweet William. Could the knight not see that? Was he so blinded by her beauty that he could not see what an abomination the woman was?

No matter, though. The bitch would be done in one way or the other, before or after the wedding made no difference. Just so long as she was out of the way and William was free of her clutches.

’Twas the true problem it was. William was attracted to her. That realization fueled a rage of jealousy that would not be banked. With that jealousy he was willing to do almost anything.

The blue eyes smiled. There would be another time, another chance, and another window to slip in and destroy her. True, no one would ever suspect who the culprit was, and with a little luck the blame would fall completely on Analiese.

*

Jordan was dressed in a soft pink linen surcoat and shift that brought some color to her pale cheeks. Cradled in William’s arms as he carried her across the bailey, he was astonished at the number of people that stopped to wish her good health or tell her that they had paid the priest to pray for her. Even the tanner had left his shed to rush over to her, two half-finished boots clutched in his hand to show her.

Jemma, Kieran and Michael were accompanying them to the small lake beyond the outer wall. Jordan had insisted that that was where she wanted to go, so with very little resistance, William complied. Kieran carried a basket full of food and Jemma had brought a large blanket to spread. Jordan wished that it would have been her and William alone, but was nonetheless happy for the company.

She held onto William’s neck, careful not to pass him any meaningful glances, but now and again her fingers would stroke the back of his neck and he would respond with a slight squeeze. With the sun bright above her and the air light, not sticky as it could be, she was deliriously happy.

As the small group moved through the outer bailey, Jordan noticed a group of children rushing toward them. She smiled, recognizing little Mary Alys at the head of the group but wondering what they were doing so far from the kitchens. The children knew they were not allowed near the front gates. She also knew that William was bound to see them and hoped he would not be too harsh.

The children drew closer. Mary Alys, beaming a missing-tooth smile, walked boldly up to William and he nearly ran her down. He glared down at her and opened his mouth, but Jordan put her fingers to his lips to stop him.

“Sir William, this is my friend, Mary Alys,” she said quickly. “Hello, Mary Alys. What do ye have in the basket?”

“I brought you a prethent,” she announced with her delightful little lisp.

“A present?” Jordan slipped from William’s arms, though he kept a firm grip on her. Her legs were still like jelly. “Mary Alys, I am so touched that ye would think of me. What is it?”

Mary Alys fumbled with the cloth covering the basket. “We heard you were thick,” she said with her heavy lisp. “I wanted to give you a prethent to make you feel better, but the tholdiers would not let me in the cathle.”

Jordan cast a long look at Kieran and Michael before looking back down at the little girl. “Well, now, here I am,” she said. “What do ye have for me?”

Mary Alys drew forth the treasure, a tiny ball of fluff. It mewed loudly and Jordan saw that it was a kitten. She laughed in delight, taking the animal from the child’s hand.

“A kitten.” She was thrilled, cuddling the cat to her cheek happily. “Oh, Mary Alys, what a wonderful gift. I do feel much better, thanks to ye.”

The little girl’s face threatened to split in two with the width of her smile. “You were nice to us, lady. You are the nicest prettiest lady we have ever had here.”

An older boy tugged at Mary Alys’ arm, pulling her away. Jordan smiled and patted the child on the head. “Thank ye so much, Mary Alys,” she said. “I shall take good care of my kitten.”

The children dashed away, leaving Jordan and Jemma cooing over the tiny creature. The knights were smiling openly as well, appearances be damned. Hell, there had been so little to smile over lately.

“I take it you intend to keep this hairy rat?” William demanded with feigned sternness.

Jordan cradled the little animal to her neck. “Of course I do, English,” she made little kissing noises to the kitten. “Isna he wonderful?”

“Hmm,” he pursed his lips. “Very well, then. Come and let us take the rat with us to the lake.”

“M-mayhap we shall see if he can swim,” Michael said thoughtfully.

Jordan and Jemma cried foul, making the knights laugh.

“Ye’ll not touch my kitten, Michael de Bocage,” Jordan insisted. “Or I shall ask Sir William, my protector, to soundly thrash you.”

“He can try,” Michael mumbled for Kieran’s amusement.

William heard the comment as he lifted Jordan into his arms again. “For that, man, you may choose your weapon. We duel come the dusk.”

“Then I choose the cat,” Michael said. “I shall get it wet then throw it on you.”