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Jordan looked up and instantly recognized the woman who had loaned her the apron to cover her head wound on the first day she had arrived. Her face lit up.

“My pardon, mistress, but what is yer name?” she asked the woman.

The plump woman with a kind face and big apple cheeks smiled and curtsied deeply. “Sylvie, my lady.”

“Sylvie,” Jordan repeated. “Ye were the one who loaned me yer apron when I was hit by the rock, weren’t ye. I dinna have a chance to thank ye that day, and I apologize it has taken me this long to find ye. Yer kindness meant a great deal to me.”

The woman blushed. “Think nothing of it, my lady,” she insisted. “I would have asked Sir William if he would allow me to tend to you, but the man was set on murder and I was afraid to. I see that you have no scar.”

Jordan pulled her hair back so that the woman might see. “Just a little scab, but no scar, I think.” She stepped around the tanner so she wasn’t speaking over him. “What is yer function here at Northwood?”

“Why, my Sylvie is the midwife here,” the tanner said proudly. “She has birthed nearly every babe for the past ten years. And she does a good deal of cooking for the poor and sick.”

Jordan smiled at the man’s prideful boast. “Then I was right; ye are a generous woman.” She was struck with an idea. “How would ye like to serve me, Sylvie? I could certainly use yer knowledge and company.”

Sylvie was overwhelmed. “My lady, that is a wonderful offer. But you have your own servants, don’t you? I have seen you with a pretty dark-haired lass, and you brought two women with you as well.”

“True, I already have two maids,” Jordan coincided. “But the dark-haired lass is my cousin and she is more of a companion than a servant, and my maids have their hands full with her to cater to. I really could use ye, if ye’re willing.”

Sylvie was obviously thrilled. “Can I still tend to my midwifing duties?”

“Of course,” Jordan laughed. “I wunna deprive future babies of yer expert hands.”

It didn’t take long for Sylvie to reach a decision. “Then I would be honored, my lady. Besides, you need someone to take proper care of you. I have seen those knights, the way they hang all over you. Disgraceful.”

Michael cleared his throat and took a step back from Jordan, causing her to burst out with laughter. She put her hand on Michael’s arm so he would not disappear altogether.

“The knights have been most kind and gentle to me, mistress, and I consider them my very best friends,” she told Sylvie. “I shall see ye up in my rooms later today, if that is agreeable.”

Sylvie gave her a quick curtsy and a thank you and was gone. Jordan returned her attention to her boots, happy to have found the woman who helped her. Truth be known, she wanted an earthy woman to balance out the worldly court lady who would be arriving any day now. She had no idea what to expect and her apprehension was growing. Now, with Sylvie around, mayhap the court lady would not be so upper-handed with the naive Scot.

Satisfied she had made a good choice this day and her headache all but forgotten, she and Michael resumed their walk.

*

It was near dusk.

Paris and Kieran had prepared Adam through most of the afternoon for the ceremony that awaited him. Adam was truly worthy, in William’s opinion, to be admitted into the brotherhood of knights, and he looked forward to officiating. The last knight he had officiated had been Corin, and that had been two years ago.

He had a hell of a time keeping the earl out of his hair, for the man was so eager to see his son knighted that he became William’s shadow, making sure he was in on every decision that directly affected his boy.

Finally, in a desperate attempt to rid himself of the nuisance, he convinced the earl that the feast on the morrow would be of the utmost significance and insisted that the earl himself see to it. De Longley, in full agreement, complied and left him alone.

As dusk came, Jordan and Jemma watched from their rooms for any sign of the procession of knights. A cooling wind caressed their faces as they watched and eagerly waiting, wishing they could attend this momentous event. The mystery was exciting.

As the pomp and circumstance began to commence, it occurred to Jordan that Michael was in her antechamber, not participating in the festivities. With a furrowed brow, she wandered in the room where he was standing near the window, watching the happenings below.

“Michael, why aren’t ye attending Adam with the others?” she asked.

He looked at her. “Because someone had to watch over you, m-my lady.”

She didn’t believe him. “There are soldiers to do that. You should be down there with the other knights.”

“There is no need. I have seen dozens of m-men knighted and all of the ceremonies are the same.”

She looked him in the eye and he smiled wanly, trying to convince her he was sincere. She put her hands on her hips.

“Ye’re a liar, Michael de Bocage. Why are ye here, and dunna give me anymore of your half-truths,” she said flatly.