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“I do not know, only that I have been ordered to bring her to the earl and the captain,” he answered.

Immediately, Jordan knew why. William had run right to the earl after the confrontation with Aloria and demanded she be removed. He had no idea what had transpired in the past couple of hours in the privacy of Jordan’s chambers, and Jordan did not want to lose her new lady-in-waiting. She liked her and was deeply distressed at the prospect of homeless Aloria being displaced again.

Aloria’s family had not wanted her, and now Northwood would pledge the same. Jordan could not let that happen. Aloria must have a home.

“I am going,” Jordan said shortly.

“The orders were only for Lady Aloria, my lady,” Kieran said firmly.

Jordan gave him a look daring him to stop her. “I am going, I said.”

Kieran didn’t outwardly react, but Deinwald pursed his lips irritably and Jordan glared at him. “Dunna look at me like that, Deinwald Ellsrod, or I shall box yer ears.”

He cleared his throat and stepped back, leaving Kieran to take the abuse should it come to that. Kieran, for his part, looked long at Jordan.

“Very well,” he agreed reluctantly. “So do not box my ears.”

She nodded curtly, not giving in to his humor for she knew the situation to be serious. She was going to do battle with the earl and William on Aloria’s behalf and she must be mentally prepared. They would not take her lady from her.

Over the top of Jordan’s head, Kieran’s gaze found Jemma sitting in front of her loom. She smiled her sweet little smile at him and he felt himself go warm and silly inside. He was so glad to see that, upon reflection, making love to him had not been a mistake in her eyes. He gave her a wink and closed the door behind the ladies.

Kieran and Deinwald took them directly to the earl’s private solar. When Kieran opened the door, Jordan pushed right in with Aloria at her heels.

De Longley was sitting at his desk and William was leaning against the wall, both men engrossed in their conversation. William turned when he heard the door open, fully expecting Aloria, but very surprised to see his wife. And the hard, determined look on her face doubly surprised him.

“Lady Jordan,” the earl greeted her before William could speak. “To what do we owe the honor of your presence?”

There was not a man in the room who had ever seen Jordan angry, and it was a sight to behold. The woman was as hard as rocks. “I would know why ye have summoned my lady-in-waiting, sire.”

De Longley contemplated his answer a moment. “As you are her mistress, ’tis your right to know,” he glanced at the big, blond girl. “We have decided that Lady Aloria does not fit our needs here at Northwood. She will be returning to London with the king and queen.”

“Nay!” Jordan stamped her little foot, and when she suddenly realized who she was talking to, added, “Sire, I dunna want her to leave.”

William walked around to stand by the earl’s desk. “ ’Tis not your decision to make, my lady.”

She was furious with him to say the least. “But she is to be my lady, is she not? Then why canna I have a say in this decision?”

William and the earl glanced at each other, wondering why she was defending this abrasive woman. But they also knew Jordan had a big heart and it would probably be wiser to reason with her than to give her a blunt order.

“Then I will hear you,” the earl said after a moment. “Why do you wish her to stay?”

Jordan eyed William as she spoke. “Because, sire, I like her. She will make me a fine lady and teach Jemma and I about courtly things. Please dunna send her away. I want her to stay.”

William was sitting on the edge of the earl’s massive desk, his gaze on his wife less than pleasant. Jordan ignored him, instead, focusing on the earl.

Aloria was stunned at the entire conversation, shocked that Lady Jordan would defend her. She’d never had anyone defend her, and she could see that the earl and the captain were displeased with the lady’s boldness.

“If I may, my lord earl,” she stepped forward. “If you deem it best that I go, then go I will. I will not argue the point, although I do thank Lady Jordan for her fortitude on my behalf.”

The woman was a smooth-talker, William thought. And he was not surprised to hear that his wife liked her, but he still wanted her gone. He turned his head away from both of them.

“Lady Jordan is impressionable, Lady Aloria, and needs to be handled with that in mind,” he said. “You are too forceful and commanding, in our opinion, for this duty.”

“Ye mean in yer opinion,” Jordan spit out before she could stop herself. “Ye dunna like her because she stood up to ye.”

The earl fought off a grin at her bravery, misplaced though it may be. William turned a cool gaze to his wife.

“Whether or not I like Lady Aloria is not the issue here. The point is that she is not suited to you. And she will go.”