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“Nay, you do not,” he said quietly. “But if you must, consider the score even.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Outside in the corridor, Paris was leaning with his back against the wall, staring grimly at the closed solar door and wondering what in the hell was going on in there. All manner of horrible thoughts were racing through his mind, thoughts he would catch and then just a quickly toss away because they terrified him so.

The earl knew. He wasn’t particularly surprised for the man was not a fool. But he was tremendously worried about William and Jordan, and he briefly entertained the thought of spiriting Jordan out of Northwood simply to avoid the coming wrath. Treaty be damned, he would take her somewhere and then send word to William.

But he knew he could not do that, at least not until it was asked of him. So he began to pace, his brow furrowed as he watched his boots hit the cold stone beneath him He could not hear anything, either. No shouting or furniture being broken. Just complete silence that was driving him insane.

“What are you doing?” Kieran came up behind him.

Paris looked up at the third-in-command. “Waiting for William.”

“Good. I must speak with him.”

Paris shook his head warningly. “Now would not be a good time. Anything you would say to him, you may say to me.”

Kieran looked at him. “ ’Tis about Lady Jordan. William would hear this.”

Paris stopped his pacing and scrutinized the knight. Kieran held his firm gaze.

“You know, do not you?” Paris asked after a moment.

“About our captain and the lady? Aye,” the man said quietly. “ ’Tis why William must know what I have uncovered.”

Paris stiffened. “Is she in any danger?”

“Nay, nothing of that sort,” Kieran said, then peered strangely at Paris. “What in the hell is the matter with you? You are acting as skittish as a brood mare.”

Paris clenched and unclenched his jaw, looking at the man a moment, observing the deep brown orbs. Kieran was a good man, as good as any and then some. He knew the man could be trusted with his life, as he had proven many a time. Paris was so worried he felt the need to confide in someone.

“The earl knows,” he whispered huskily. “That is why William is in there alone. The earl knows about him and Jordan.”

Kieran’s face went slack. “Dear… God….”

Paris nodded grimly in agreement. “Exactly.”

With that, the both began to pace. When Deinwald and Ranulf came upon them several minutes later, it looked like some strange dance to them.

“What is going on?” Deinwald demanded.

Kieran looked up. “The earl knows about William and Jordan. William is in with him now.”

“Kieran!” Paris snapped reprovingly.

Kieran swung to him. “Hell, Paris, we all know. We have for a long time. You must have known that.”

Deinwald’s face was a mask of shock. “Damnation. Who in the hell told de Longley?”

“No one, Deinwald,” Paris said irritably. “Get a hold of yourself.”

Ranulf clasped his hands behind his back thoughtfully. He didn’t appear overly worried like the others.

“William won’t back down,” he said evenly. “ ’Tis likely to be quite a tussle.”

“I have yet to hear any cries of pain or broken glass,” Paris said, resuming his path.

The four of them made quite a scene in the corridor. Michael came looking for Kieran a few minutes later and, with a brief explanation, joined them in their aimless wandering and waiting game. Before Paris realized it, every knight of Northwood was in the corridor, waiting for the outcome of William’s meeting. Paris thought it felt more like a death watch.