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She answered him by sobbing louder and he knew she was hurt. But he was infuriated with her. He had to be firm and not take her in his arms and soothe her as he wanted so desperately to do. She had to learn a lesson.

He watched her, her gently heaving shoulders. To say he had been surprised when he saw her bolting from the gates of Northwood would have been an understatement. He was about to sound the battle cry when he saw that it was Ranulf, and a few soldiers, who chased her. But his initial fear had turned into bone-grinding anger by that point and wondered what in the bloody hell sort of game they were playing. His anger was not directed at his knight, however, he knew how persuasive and stubborn she could be.

He forced himself to cool, and with each breath he took he inhaled her lavender scent and it calmed him more. He had missed her terribly and was sorry that the first words from his mouth had to be harsh ones.

It wasn’t long before he was willing to forget everything and throw her down on the bed and make love to her. She looked so damned good to him, so healthy and vital.

“Jordan,” he said with quiet firmness. “Look at me now.”

She sniffed and wiped at her eyes, turning dutifully as requested. Her pink-flushed face was so lovely and pitiful that he had to clasp his hand behind his back to keep from pulling her to him.

“Do you understand what I am saying?” he asked pointedly, but gentler. “Everything I do, I do to keep you safe and free from harm. You must help me accomplish this.”

She nodded, her lower lip trembling. “I wasna thinking,” she whispered. “I simply wanted to swim.”

He gazed down at her, hoping she indeed understood what he was saying. But enough was said. He fought off the natural instinct to enclose her in his arms because he wanted her to know just how deadly serious he was. She had placed herself in jeopardy and if he were to turn soft now it would probably ruin all that he was striving for to make her understand her position here at Northwood. He hated being strict with her for any reason, but in this case he must or the consequences could be severe.

“I must go,” he said after long moments.

When he turned for the door, she called out softly. “Will I see ye later?”

He paused and turned. Her face was upturned to him and he wanted to kiss every tear from it. He felt himself weakening.

“Aye, you will, you know that.”

He blew out, closing the door much softer that he had opened it. She stared at the door before sagging onto the bed, emotionally spent.

Welcome home, William, she thought dully.

*

She supped with Jemma later that night and went to bed early. She didn’t want to listen to Jemma complain that Kieran had not yet come to see her. Hell, she didn’t want to do anything but sleep and forget this day ever happened.

She thought she was dreaming. Something was tickling her neck, calling her name softly. She tried to bat it away, burying her face deeper in her pillow, but it was quite persistent. She gradually became aware when she realized she was slapping at a hand, gently touching her face.

She rolled on to her back, knowing it was William even before she saw his face in the dimness. Light from the full moon streamed in through her open windows. The oil cloths were pulled back to allow for ventilation in the humidity. The entire room was cast in a soft silver light as she smiled sleepily up at him.

“ ’Tis late, English,” she remarked.

“Aye,” he answered, leaning over with his arms braced on either side of her body. His face was gentle and sweet, nothing like the enraged man she had seen this afternoon.

She promptly rolled away from him and hugged her pillow. “I wish to go back to sleep now,” she said, feigning disinterest in his presence.

“Like hell,” he growled and rolled her back over, falling into bed beside her.

She giggled with delight, snuggling against him with great contentment. He held her tightly, kissing the top of her head or any other bit of flesh that was close to his lips.

“The last time I saw you, you were pitifully weak,” he said. “Who was that wild woman I saw running from the bailey today like she had never seen a sick day in her life?”

She groaned and buried her face in his tunic. “Did ye have to bring that up again?”

He chuckled. “I take it, then, you are feeling better?”

She was wide awake now, her movements energetic and quick. She snapped her head up to look at him, her hair askew and a twinkle in her eye. “Aye, that I am. I have been going insane the past few days staring at these walls. Now that ye’re back, can I go outside more often?”

He cocked an eyebrow at her. “We shall see,” he said. His mind turned to Analiese. He had been surprised to learn from Ranulf that no one as much as even approached Lady Jordan’s door. He had expected an attempt of some kind in his absence.

Jordan was leaning on his chest looking down at him. He lay on his back, his arm tucked behind his head.