Page 116

The earl’s hand latched on to her arm with a firm, steady pressure and she knew exactly what his touch was telling her. But she was damn mad, greeting guests like the perfect hostess and then trading barbs behind Adam’s back with Analiese.

“Why didn’t that damn arrow kill you?” Analiese whispered harshly.

Jordan smiled twistedly. “Because it was fired by a dimwitted Sassenach archer,” she said. “Next time ye want me dead, come see me yerself and I’ll give ye what’s what.”

She had no idea how close she was to what William and the other knights had been thinking since the day of her attack. Analiese yanked free of her brother’s grip, stepping toward Jordan.

“I shall give you a fight, you little tramp,” she hissed.

Jordan smiled menacingly. “I would love to oblige ye, but a countess would be less than dignified if she accepted.” It was a reminder to Analiese that soon Jordan would be above her station.

Instead of raging, Analiese appeared visibly hurt. Her thin mouth twisted and she blinked several times, as if blinking away tears. “And a countess would also be less than dignified if she slept with her husband’s captain.”

Jordan’s mouth popped open with shock and disbelief. She was no longer simply angry; she was bitter and hurt as if Analiese had reached in and ripped her guts out. Of course the woman had heard the rumors. Jordan didn’t know why she believed Analiese would not have heard the gossip. True or not, she could not allow such an insult to go unanswered.

“I swear ye’ll pay for that remark,” she growled. “With God as my witness, ye’ll pay with every petty bone in yer skinny body.”

Analiese gave her a smirked smile and Jordan was suddenly slapped with the realization that she was jealous. Of course. Why hadn’t she seen it before? The girl was in love with William. Her William. She felt sorry for her, but was flaming jealous at the same time.

“Then I see that my first observations that you were a whore are accurate,” Analiese said with thin triumph.

There were more guests in front of Jordan demanding attention. She greeted them mechanically, her mind reeling from Analiese’s statements. She was close to snapping with pent-up emotions. This feud with Analiese had to end here and now, for if the earl was convinced that some indiscretions had occurred, it could mean her head and William’s. She was fearful that the earl would listen to his mean and jealous daughter. Things could go no further.

She leaned close to the earl. “Sire, might I have a few private words with Analiese, please?”

The earl glanced at her dubiously. “Now? Why?”

Jordan forced her sweetest smile. “Because, my lord, if this party is to proceed uninterrupted, Analiese and I must come to an understanding. I promise I shall be completely amicable. I merely wish to talk to her. We have had little time to do that since my arrival.”

The earl gazed over Jordan’s head at his daughter’s pale blond one. Mayhap Jordan was right. He indeed wanted to live out the rest of his life peaceably and mayhap there was no better time to start. With misgivings, however, he gave his fiancée a nod.

“Very well,” he said. “You may use my solar. But only for a few minutes and then I’ll send someone to retrieve you both.”

“Thank ye, sire,” Jordan curtsied quickly and ducked behind Adam to lean close to Analiese’s ear. “Yer father has given us permission to brawl. Come with me now.”

Analiese was startled. She turned around to stare openly at Jordan, then looked to her father, then back again. Suddenly, she was not so brave.

“I…I do not want to fight,” she stuttered. “I have no desire to ruin my best dress.”

“I willna touch ye,” Jordan promised, grasping her thin arm. “Come.”

Before Analiese realized it, she was being led from the hall. The knights on duty tensed, their eyes following Jordan as she led Analiese away. William’s direct orders were that the two must never be left alone. Paris passed a glance to Kieran, who was closest to the women. The big man nodded imperceptibly, waiting until the women quit the room before discreetly following.

Jordan pulled Analiese into the designated private room and softly closed the door. When she turned to the other woman she saw the fear and uncertainty in the pale blue eyes, along with a good deal of anger. Jordan cleared her throat.

“Here and now, Analiese,” she said quietly. “We will be done with this here and now. I will not live the rest of my life trading insults with ye. I want to know why it is ye hate me so much. Can ye even tell me?”

Analiese puffed up as if she were about to give a vicious retort, but instead, she squeezed her lips together and turned away, twitching and pacing.

“My mother was killed by a Scot,” she said plainly. “She was in the forest collecting mushrooms with some of the servants when she was attacked and killed by marauding Scots. I was only eight years at the time. It seems that that is reason enough to hate you.”

Jordan was stunned. No one had ever made mention of that very large piece of evidence. She felt as if she were losing her edge already in the conversation.

“Then I am truly sorry,” she said softly. “But I dinna kill yer mother. Yer countrymen have killed more of my kin than I can count, but I am willing to forget that. Yer father and Adam seem willing to go beyond the hatred. Why canna ye?”

Analiese’s movements slowed as if she were considering the request. She started to reply but tripped over her words and turned away, dragging her hand across her father’s Cherrywood table.

“I do not want you here,” she said after a long moment. It sounded to Jordan like a plea.