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Both Deinwald and Ranulf told Kieran to stay out of it in no uncertain terms. Their voices grew louder as they started in on each other again and William raised his hands to silence them.

“Well, well, this is a first,” he said. “I have three knights who would rather stay here and read poetry than ride into battle. A strange occurrence indeed. Ranulf, since you graciously volunteered first, you may have the duty. Paris, go inform Bartholomew that Ranulf will be holed up in the castle with Lady Jordan and that he is in charge while we are gone. The rest of you, mount up. We ride.”

The knights moved from the room, their armor banging and clanging as they walked. The soldiers from The Lyceum fell in behind and the room was quickly vacated, save de Longley, William and Ranulf. William pulled Ranulf aside.

“I need not stress to you the importance of this, man,” he said in a low voice. “She must be kept safe. You must never leave her, even for a moment, without protection.”

“Aye, my lord,” Ranulf agreed solemnly. “I shall protect her with my life, I swear it.”

William clapped him on the shoulder in a rare display of affection. “I know you will,” he glanced over Ranulf’s shoulder and saw de Longley looking at them. “Get to it,” he told his knight.

Ranulf left and de Longley moved to William. “Send word as soon as you can as to Harringham’s situation,” the earl said. “I am concerned.”

“I will, sire,” William replied. “And I expect Earl Lowell’s men to arrive here shortly after dark this eve. Ranulf will direct their placement.”

“Good,” de Longley nodded, but then looked hesitant. William was waiting for him to express some sort of sentiment over Lady Jordan, but instead, he let out a blustery sigh. “Adam… he is not a full knight yet, William. You will watch for him, won’t you?”

“Aye,” William understood his lord’s concern. Adam was the only child the man had that was worth anything. “He is a good fighter, my lord. I would not take him on if he were not.”

De Longley nodded shortly, embarrassed he had said anything at all. “Thank you, William,” he said quietly. “And thank you for thinking of Lady Jordan’s safety as well.”

“ ’Tis my duty, my lord, and I do it to please you,” William said smoothly when what he really wanted to say was he did it because he loved her madly.

All of his troops were assembled and waiting but William had one more item to take care of. He had to see Jordan before he left, if only for a brief second.

*

Jordan was sitting up in her bed when William appeared in the doorway, dressed from head to toe in full armor. From his breathing she knew he had been running and his hurried manner caused anxiety to explode in her chest. Before she could chase Jemma away, he hurried the little Scot out of the room and closed the door behind her.

Jordan crept onto her knees, her apprehension full-blown as he turned to her.

“Where are ye going?” she demanded. “I heard the Scots attacked another fortress. What are ye going to do?”

“They have requested our assistance, Jordan,” he said patiently. “We are allied with them and must respond.”

To his distress, tears welled in the pale green eyes. “I dunna want ye to go into battle,” she sniffed.

He went to her, soothing her as much as the bulky armor would allow. He took her face between his hands and forced her to look at him.

“This will not take long, I am sure,” he promised. “Hopefully we will be home in a day or two, three at the most. I am leaving Ranulf here in charge of you and you will obey him without question. Jemma, too, although if she obeys at all it will be a first.”

She blinked and fat tears glistened on her lashes. “I am afraid for ye, English.”

He kissed her forehead, her nose, listening to her ragged breathing. “I told you once that there has not been a sword made that can cut me down,” he said softly. “I shall be back, and in time for your party, too.”

She nodded, sniffing, trying to be brave for him. He smiled and kissed her again, this time sweetly on the lips. Then he settled her back on the bed and pulled up the coverlet around her.

“Rest now, love,” he told her. “I shall return before you know it.”

With a wink, he turned for the door and opened it. But he paused on the threshold, turning one last time to look at her.

“I love you,” he whispered.

She hiccupped. “And I love ye,” she said. “Be safe, my Wolf.”

He gave her a brief nod and was gone.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO