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CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
There was a rap on the door and William was instantly awake. Bolting from the bed, he went into the antechamber stark naked and opened the door, giving no mind to his appearance.
The earl stood in the arch, not so much as passing an eye over his captain’s nude form. “Come with me,” he said quietly. “Now.”
William was dressed in a matter of minutes, closing Jordan’s door softly behind him. The earl led him down the hall, bypassing the stairs, and William wondered where they were going. Reaching a small alcove that overlooked the distant hills, the earl paused. William faced him intently.
“There is no easy way to deal with this, William,” the earl said. “I spoke with Henry and told him of the Scots. I insisted that you cannot leave me now, not with the threat of total war on the border. But the king seems to think that one man will not make or break victory. He is absolute in that he needs you in London to plan his Welsh campaign.”
William stared at him with disbelief. “Then I am going to London.” He ran a hand over his face to try and regain some of his escaping composure. “Doesn’t he understand what united Scots will mean to the border? Every English castle within a seventy mile radius of the border will be at risk, including Durham and Newcastle-on-Tyne. York might even be at risk. I am needed far more here that on some damn raiding party into Wales.”
The earl put his hands up in supplication. “I know, and I told him. He knows it, but he seems to think we are quite capable without you. He knows Paris is quite competent in handling the troops.” He went over and sat heavily on the large window seat. “He read the missive from Laird Scott. Henry has been King of England for twenty-five years, William, and he simply does not believe that all of the Scot warlords will unite into one massive army. And even if they do, with their bickering and fighting, any true organization could take years. Right now, he is more concerned with the Welsh and he feels that with you as his champion, Wales can be controlled. It seems your reputation has spread, even to Wales.”
William sat down opposite the earl, bracing a leg up on the bench seat as he gazed out of the window. He was stunned.
“I cannot leave Jordan,” he said simply.
“She will be safe here.”
William looked at his liege. “I will not leave her.”
“You have no choice.”
William stared back at him a moment before again letting his gaze trail off across the compound. “Send her to Wolverhampton. My brother will provide well for her, and she would be closer to London, and to me.”
“Your brother, the earl?” de Longley repeated. “That is possible, indeed. But would it be wise? Should the king hear that the Earl of Teviot’s new bride is staying at the Earl of Wolverhampton’s keep, a man who just happens to be the brother of Northwood’s former captain, it would raise questions.”
William had already thought of that, but in his urgent quest to keep Jordan near him, he needed to hear the voice of reason.
De Longley watched him for a moment before patting him on the leg. “We shall think of something, William, but until then Jordan will be safe here. The people love her, the knights would die for her, and my family is growing accustomed to her. Without you near her, she needs to be surrounded by familiar people. Which brings me to another point; all of the knights will demand to go with you. I will allow you to take no more than two, for reasons which I am sure you will understand.”
William knew indeed; with the impending crisis de Longley needed all of his experienced men. He scratched his chin. “Paris will want to go.”
“Out of the question,” the earl said firmly. “Paris is now my captain. And, I would imagine, Lady Jordan’s champion. But any of the others are acceptable.”
William swung his leg onto the floor. “ ’Twill not be an easy decision,” he admitted. “Paris and I have not been without one another for several years. Kieran, Michael, Marc and I were squires together. Ranulf helped train me. I myself knighted Corin, Adam, Deinwald and Lewis. I have ties to all of them.”
The earl nodded. “Make your decision this night, if you will. The king is eager to leave on the morrow, I think.”
William wasn’t surprised. He brooded darkly and the earl slapped him on the shoulder.
“In spite of everything, William, congratulations are in order,” he said with forced joviality. “A title and the king’s champion all in the same day is quite an honor, Baron Kilham.”
William was pleased by the honors, of course, but for him the price was too high. He smiled at de Longley in spite of himself.
“It has been a pleasure serving you, my lord,” he said, feeling emotional. “I will always consider Northwood my home, and you, my liege.”
“It will always be your home, lad.” De Longley felt as if he were losing a son. “Why do you think I am keeping Jordan here? I know you will return for her, and then I will get to see you again.”
“You will indeed,” William said with conviction.
The earl chuckled, in agreement, William thought. But the man continued to chuckle until William shot him a puzzled look. De Longley caught the look, waving him off.
“I am sorry,” he said. “It is just… well, if Henry knew I was telling you this he would likely draw and quarter me. But the king mentioned that lands come with your title, lad… border lands.”
William looked doubtful. “Which border? I am, after all, destined for Wales.”
“Not permanently,” de Longley said. “Even Henry knows you have grown up here in the wilds and assumes that you would prefer lands here; he is not unkind. He mentioned Castle Questing as your seat.”
