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William’s hands were clenched in a hard ball behind his back. He trusted Michael’s judgment of the situation, but he would not tell him that. The point remained that he had disobeyed him. And that could not go unpunished.

“Adam’s knighting ceremony will be tomorrow night,” he said in a low voice. “You will not attend.”

It was a harsh blow but Michael didn’t flinch. Instead, he nodded quickly. “Aye, m-my lord.”

William eyed him, standing like a strong young tree before him. “Furthermore, you will be assigned to guard Lady Jordan tomorrow night since the rest of the knights will be at the service. See if you can resist her feminine wiles so that she may survive the night.”

Michael again nodded stoically. “Aye, m-my lord, it shall be done.”

“See that it is,” William replied. “I will not have this conversation with you again. You have been warned.”

Dismissed, Michael spun on his heel and marched back into the hall, relieved he did not get his head taken off as he expected. The punishment was severe enough, but in the back of his mind he realized that William had made no mention of failing to keep Analiese from the room. Not so strange when he considered that William only had eyes for the fair Lady Jordan. And he could see why.

By the time William entered the hall, guests were taking their seats and the feast was about to begin. He was making his way to the head table when the drunken form of Jemma stumbled in front him.

He reached out to steady her, cursing silently when he saw who it was. She was in no condition to attend a formal banquet.

“Hello, English,” she slurred, then giggled. “Oh, I mean Captain.”

He frowned, hoisting her up so she would not fall. But he was not only irritated, he was apprehensive as well. If Jemma indeed knew everything about him and Jordan, then she must be removed at once before anything was inadvertently said.

“Come along,” he said, half-carrying her with him.

Over by the wall, several feet away, stood Kieran. William socked him with a look that made him straighten and take notice. He thrust Jemma at him.

“Look at her,” William hissed. “She is drunk. I thought you were watching her.”

Kieran looked concerned. “I was,” he insisted. “She’s only had two or three glasses of wine.”

William rolled his eyes. “Then she obviously cannot hold her liquor. Take her upstairs.”

Jemma reeled away from William right into Kieran’s broad chest. She smiled her sweet, curvy smile at him that even William found pretty. “Hello, my strong Sassenach knight,” she said dreamily. “Ye look mighty handsome tonight.”

William gave Kieran a disbelieving look before shoving them both toward the door. Kieran guided her just outside the door frame where William saw him pick her up. With a sigh to compose himself, he headed once again for the dais. This evening was growing more chaotic by the minute.

Jordan was standing up, looking beyond the table as he approached. “Where is Jemma going?”

William stopped before her, the damask covered table between them. “She is feeling ill, my lady. Kieran will take care of her.”

Jordan was up and moving. “If she is ill, then I must tend her.”

William moved around the table and met her halfway, grasping her arm. “She will be fine,” he said quietly. “Your place is here.”

Jordan flushed and yanked her arm free of his grip. “If she is sick, then I will tend to her. Kieran has other duties, I am sure.”

He frowned, cocking a black brow. “Trust me when I tell you that there is no need,” his voice was very quiet. “She is as drunk as a fool.”

Jordan blinked at him. “Then where did she get the whisky?”

When he looked puzzled and opened his mouth, she firmly cut him off. “English, Jemma can drink a barrel of wine and not feel a thing. I’d wager she could drink all of yer knights under the table. But the only drink she canna tolerate is whisky. I smelled it on her earlier, though I had not the chance to stop her.”

He sighed. “Be that as it may, she is far gone and I will not have her embarrassing the house of de Longley,” he turned her around and pointed her toward her chair. “Sit and enjoy. Jemma will be safe enough.”

Reluctantly, she complied. And she was later glad that she had.

The evening was wonderful. The food had been deliciously prepared, the entertainment lively, and the company good. With Adam on her right and the earl on her left, she was pampered and well cared for. William sat several chairs down from her and she could only see him if she obviously made the effort. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, she made no such attempts and her heart ached not being able to see him.

The party went on all night. Jordan danced with every man of any importance who asked it of her, including the earl. Three times. From the moment she stopped eating until before dawn, she was never off her feet.