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The ladies stood back, admiring her now that she was in full regalia.

“I do not think I have seen a lovelier bride,” Sylvie said with satisfaction.

Jemma, who had been in her own bedchamber dressing, came back into the antechamber to critically observe her cousin. She studied her intently for a few moments before nodding her head with approval.

“Aye, ye’re right,” she said proudly. “There isna a more lovely woman in the whole world. Ye look like an angel, Jordi.” She stepped forward to kiss her cousin’s cheek. Jordan knew she was blushing with all of the praise, but several more coy glances into the mirror confirmed the observations. She thought she looked rather good, too.

With Jordan and Jemma dressed, Aloria changed into her best surcoat. Sylvie and the maids, being servants, were not invited to the ceremony and were sent on ahead to the new apartments Jordan would be occupying in the family wing of Northwood. There, they would prepare the bedchamber for the wedding night they knew would not come. But everything had to go smoothly, as if this were truly a wedding, so there would be no confusion or doubt.

There was a knock on the door. Analiese let herself in, gasping with delight at Jordan.

“Oh, Jordan.” she cried. “You look like a princess.”

Jordan hugged her friend. “I feel like one. Look at the tiara from Henry and Eleanor.”

Analiese admired it wholeheartedly, showing a great deal of emotion for one so usually reserved.

“I do apologize for ignoring you since Eleanor’s arrival,” she said after a moment. “But the queen demanded my presence every day, and I have been very busy.”

“Dunna fret over it,” Jordan hushed her. “I know how badly ye want to go to London. Mayhap the queen will ask ye to go with her when she leaves.”

“Mayhap,” Analiese shrugged. “But she has so many women already.”

“Then mayhap the earl will ask her on yer behalf,” Jordan said hopefully.

Analiese shrugged again and smiled bravely. “They are almost ready for you downstairs,” she said. “You should see the chapel, Jordan. It is loaded with flowers and incense and people in fine clothing. It is beautiful.”

Jordan smiled weakly, suddenly feeling just the slightest bit nervous.

“I am so glad we are to be related,” Analiese said, and hugged her again.

Jordan’s smile faded. Aloria turned her head away and pretended to busy herself, while Jemma faintly lifted an eyebrow in Analiese’s direction. Firmly, Jordan broke from the embrace and smiled brightly.

“Well, now, are ye to accompany me downstairs?” Jordan asked. “I would like ye to stand with me, Analiese. Jemma and Aloria are going too.”

“Of course I will,” Analiese said. “I would not leave three ladies alone among all of those men standing at the altar.”

The women passed the remainder of the time drinking the cider and talking softly about anything that came to mind. As the sun rose higher and the temperatures increased, Jordan became increasingly nervous. She could hear the activity in the baileys and the people’s voices, knowing they had all come to see her. This was her day, and she was about to go through with the biggest deception of her young life.

William’s words from the day before kept swirling through her head. What would happen if the king found out about their lie? Death for the earl and William, and disgrace for her. Sweet Jesu,’ she wasn’t as brave as she thought, but it was too late to turn back now. She had to be convincing.

The knock they had been waiting for came. Jordan swallowed hard and tried to look regal as Aloria answered the door. Every knight of Northwood was standing in the corridor; all ten of them. Dressed in their ceremonial armor, bathed and shaven, there were no handsomer men on the face of the earth. A smile of pleasure graced every woman’s face as they beheld the sight; even Aloria. And none was more handsome than William.

He stepped into the antechamber, his eyes softening at the sight of his wife, but highly aware of Analiese’s presence.

“My lady,” he said, his voice husky with emotion. “You look beautiful.”

Jordan’s gaze was riveted to her husband as she curtsied. “Thank ye, Captain.”

Paris pushed his way in, grinning openly at Jordan. “Lord God, you are gorgeous,” he said with satisfaction. “I think I shall marry you myself.”

Jordan giggled coyly, lowering her gaze. It was an utterly charming move that had every man captivated. Finally, William regained enough of his senses to move toward her.

“Your groom awaits, my lady,” he said softly, extending his arm. “Are you ready?”

She looked up at him, feeling his potency. It bolstered her sagging courage. “Aye, I am.”

Paris pushed his way next to her, taking her other arm. Kieran took Jemma, Michael took Analiese, and with a good deal of hesitation, Deinwald took Aloria. The other five knights formed a sort of protective circle around the women as they made their way to the chapel of Northwood.