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She quickly forgot her thoughts when William recited his vows in his husky, deep voice. Tears sprang to her eyes. She never believed she would hear those words come from his mouth, at least so soon. Her voice was so tight when she repeated her vows that she squeaked. Behind her, she could hear Jemma sniffing.

When it came time to place the ring on her finger, she did not expect any such memento because of the hasty nature of the ceremony. Yet to her surprise, William took an item from Paris’ hand and held it up in front of her. It was a dainty gold chain, fine and delicate, and strung on the chain was a ring.

“What’s this?” she asked.

He placed the ring in her palm. “A simple gold band. I intend to have a fine ring made for you when the circumstances allow, but I wanted you to have a token just the same.”

She smiled reverently as she gazed at the ring. “Oh, no, English. I would keep this.”

He returned her smile, touched at her obvious adoration of the plain ring. He was going to argue with her but he did not have the heart. Later, he would have his way, he told himself.

He placed the chain over her neck. “You cannot wear the ring on your finger yet,” he said softly. “Until that time, you can wear it next to your heart.”

She looked at the ring, trying to keep her composure. But she could not, her emotions bubbled forth and she began to weep quietly, leaning against him. The priest finished the ceremony, William kissing salty, wet lips at the conclusion.

The knights pressed forward to congratulate them, one by one. Paris was the first, shaking William’s hand heartily, a grin on his face and not saying a word. The two of them had been through so much together that no words need be spoken, for William knew what was in Paris’ heart. The men were closer than brothers. Paris moved in front of Jordan and she smiled up at him, as he placed his hands firmly on his hips.

“I will settle for no handshake, Lady de Wolfe,” he said flatly. It was the first time she had heard her new title and a shock of elation went through her.

She grinned broadly, throwing her arms around his neck. He laughed low, giving her a firm squeeze before setting her down again. But he did not release her before he planted a loud kiss on her cheek.

Kieran was next and she gave him the same treatment. One by one, each knight received the honor of a warm hug and a kiss from Lady de Wolfe. The last knight was Deinwald; he was trying to give her his usual hard gaze, crossing his arms in front of him as if he was protecting himself. But she could see the lips twitching and the corner of his eye quiver and she knew he was having a difficult time maintaining his facade. He didn’t want her to see that he would have liked a hug and a kiss, too. He was trying very hard to remain stern.

She fixed him with a firm stare and put her hands on her hips. “Deinwald Ellsrod, do ye mean to say that ye are not going to congratulate me?”

“Congratulations,” he said gruffly.

She shook her head and opened her arms to him. The hard stance lasted only a moment longer before his face cracked into a large, boyish grin and he embraced her, kissing her cheek. She laughed with delight at winning the game.

“Deinwald, unhand my wife,” William growled after a moment.

Embarrassed, Deinwald pulled away quickly and allowed the earl access to the new bride.

Jordan wasn’t sure how she should react to the earl. The man had very nearly violated her before dawn, but now he was the cause of her greatest joy. She attempted to form a pretty speech in her mind, but it was dashed the moment he began to speak.

“Lady Jordan,” the earl took her hand. “As I begged for William’s forgiveness this day, I must also ask yours. What I did this morn was intolerable and I have no excuse other than to say that I was wrong. Mayhap it was an old man’s vanity. At any rate, I hope that in a small way this marriage makes up for my sins, and I pray that William makes you happy. I believe I can vouch for the lad’s character.”

She relaxed and smiled. “I accept yer apology. And I am indebted to ye as well. Ye’re the most generous of men, sire, to put the needs of others before yer own. I can only pray that ye dunna find yerself in trouble over what has been done.”

“If handled correctly, there should be no trouble,” the earl insisted with a smile. “If we can simply get through our sovereign’s visit, then we shall be relatively safe.”

Jordan nodded, hoping to God he was right. The small wedding party finished the food and the wine, voices quiet lest they be discovered. They were already pushing the limits of caution by remaining as long as they had, but no one seemed to want to leave. Least of all the earl. He stood with Adam, drinking a good deal of his private stock wine and chatting with Paris.

William didn’t want it to end. He wished there had been music and minstrels and flowers filling every corner of the room, just for her. He had promised her that someday they would have a huge, fine wedding with those things, a wedding in which he could announce to the world that he had married the most beautiful woman who had ever lived.

But for now he was content, for he never believed this event would occur while he was still young. He was married to the woman of his dreams, and that was all that mattered.

Finally the earl set his cup down and moved toward them. “We have been here overlong, William. Mayhap you should bid your bride good-eve and let us be about our business.”

Jordan looked stricken that he was going to leave her, but quickly recovered herself. She reminded herself that they had the rest of their lives to spend together, though she wished they could have spent their wedding night together. She was trying not to be selfish, but was not succeeding.

William nodded. “Aye, my lord. The king should arrive come the morning and there is much to do.” She could see him transforming himself from bridegroom to commander as if he were changing a suit of clothes. “Go and change into your battle armor. We shall meet in the earl’s solar in an hour. Paris, you will come with me. Kieran, you will please escort my lady wife and her cousin back to their chambers and set the guard.”

When he called her his ‘lady wife’ he had looked most sweetly at her, it was the only waver in an otherwise hard façade. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead before turning her over to Kieran and quitting the room in pursuit of the earl.

Kieran watched her stare wistfully at the empty door. He moved into her line of sight and extended an armored elbow.

“My lady?”