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The arguing instantly ceased, all heads turning in the direction of the softly-uttered question.

Jordan stood calmly a few feet away, her eyebrows lifted questioningly. Michael stood behind her, looking sick. Against all that he was, he had disobeyed a direct order from William and fully expected harsh punishment. It would not have bothered him so much had he understand just why he did it, but he could not have explained the action in words.

Jordan took a step closer to the panting, angry group of men. “Answer me.”

Langley blinked. “I was not trying to kill you, my lady. I was attempting to give you the dagger as a gift and it accidentally came from its sheath.”

“Where is the knife?” she asked, looking at Kieran, and at William.

Kieran extended his open palm, it was a small, beautiful dirk. She stared at it for a moment.

“That doesna look like the dagger of a young lord,” she remarked, then locked on to William’s eyes. “In fact, it looks much like a dagger my grandmother gave to me. Exceptionally feminine, wunna ye say, Captain?”

William didn’t answer her. His face was like stone, his eyes murky and dark with rage. She knew he would not answer her, but she believed she had made her point. She turned her attention back to Langley.

“I believe ye, Langley Corvalis,” she said. “ ’Tis a dirk fitting a countess and I graciously accept.”

“As I believe you, Langley.” From behind Michael, it was Analiese. Michael flinched; he had doubly failed. He had left Analiese with the soldiers and trusted that they would see her safely to her rooms. He might as well take his own sword and throw himself upon it now because once William finished with him, he would have wished he had.

Analiese approached Jordan. “Father, I know Langley well,” she said in an amazingly civil tone. “He is arrogant and silly, but he is not a murderer. I must concur with Jordan.”

De Longley wasn’t convinced. “Lady Jordan, Analiese….” He stammered.

Jordan cut him off, capturing him with her pale green eyes; only de Longley could order the boy released. Mayhap with Analiese’s surprising show of support, she could secure it. One boy had already been flogged and outcast because of her and she did nothing to prevent it; she would prevent this lad’s humiliation if she could.

“Sire,” she said pleadingly. “As a personal favor to me as yer betrothed, I would ask that ye release the lad on his word. I believe him, and no harm has been done.”

De Longley suddenly looked very old. He met her gaze a moment before nodding wearily. “As you wish, my lady.”

William instantly released his hold and the boy nearly fell to the ground. His father caught him and whisked him away. Slowly, the receiving line began to form again, the hum of whispers filling the room. The music resumed timidly, mingling with the voices.

Jordan smiled her thanks to Analiese, who gave her a short nod in return. But there was no mistaking the camaraderie she saw in her eyes. Elated and relieved, she again stood next to the earl feeling as if the evening had already been a momentous victory.

Except where William was concerned, he stood behind her shooting her a piercing gaze that she could almost feel through her clothes. She heard de Longley chuckle next to her.

“William is displeased, I would say,” he whispered to her.

She shrugged. “I am sorry, but he was wrong.”

The earl gave a loud snort. “William? Never.”

Jordan saw that her statement had greatly amused the earl. It was obvious that the man had an extremely high opinion of his captain.

The line of knights resumed behind the family. William ducked back, tapping Michael on the shoulder and motioning for him to follow.

They found their way into a small office. William was furious, struggling to keep his composure as he faced off against Michael.

“Would you kindly explain why you disobeyed a direct order?” He thought he sounded rather calm.

Michael’s jaw ticked. “She began to fight me, m-my lord, and I was afraid she would reinjure her shoulder.” He shrugged irritably. “She threatened, demanded, cajoled, and the next thing I knew, I was standing behind her as she interrogated Corvalis. It was as if she were you, my lord. I bowed without questioning her will, and I cannot explain m-my actions. I stand ready for punishment.”

“Michael, you are at least three times her size. Did it not occur to you to use force?” William snapped.

“Aye, m-my lord, it occurred to me, but every time I m-moved to take her she threatened to box my ears or slug me in the nose,” he said, obviously appalled at his lack of courage against the small woman. “I didn’t want to offend her, or hurt her, or m-myself for that matter. Besides, I did not see any real danger in letting her remain, albeit far removed from the trouble.”

William’s eyes were dark. “ ’Tis not your duty to determine if there is any real danger,” he growled. “I am your captain and you are my knight. You will do as I tell you without a second thought. I know Lady Jordan has vast powers of persuasion; believe me, I have been on the receiving end many a time. But that does not excuse your blatant disregard for my orders.”

“No, sire,” Michael agreed stiffly.