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By the end of April, the weather was showing a remarkable inclination toward spring, and Jordan awoke to a vibrant, sunny day and knew she had to become a part of it. No matter that she had been up half the night with the twins. They were sleeping now and she would take a leisurely bath and then, finally, a walk in the sunshine. The thought of such a simple pleasure after months and months of freezing, dreary weather was enough to send her catapulting from the bed and loudly ordering her bath.

She took time to soak in the tub, washing her hair with lavender soap and rinsing it with flat ale for body and shine. Properly cleaned, she proceeded to don a dress she had made before she became pregnant but had never worn. It was a lovely pale green color with accents of silver, slightly off her shoulders with long slim sleeves.

Analiese helped her dress and Jordan was amazed that the dress actually fit her. After all, just six scant weeks ago she had been as big as a house. But the more she gazed back at herself, the more pleased she was with the changes in her body since the birth of the twins. Her breasts had always been nicely rounded, but now that she was lactating they were wonderfully large and ripe. She wondered if the largeness of her breasts made her waist look slimmer, for in faith she could not ever remember her waist being that small. She smoothed at the skirt, feeling the slight roundness of her tummy under the folds of the surcoat.

She smiled to herself ironically. She had never given her figure much thought before, but facing her in the mirror was the figure of a woman reeking with pure sexuality and pure femininity. And the cut of the dress emphasized that fact. She was forced to admit she liked the change, but wondered how temporary it was.

Analiese helped her dry her hair and she pulled the front of it back, away from her face. Soft tendrils escaped, framing her sweet oval face as she secured it with a silver clip. She slipped on matching hose and garters, noticing that even her legs had filled out a bit. She had always thought that they were rather skinny, hence her childhood nickname, but she could see that they were no more. They were shapely and soft. With pale green slippers on her small feet, she was ready for her outing.

Her escort was old Byron. He had spent his time at Windsor holed up in a cluster of seldom used rooms, dispensing advice and learning of the latest techniques from the continent. Although he shunned human contact for the most part, even he had benefitted from his stay in Windsor. Jordan was pleasantly surprised when he showed up at her apartments to accompany her on her walk.

Analiese went on her way to be with her friends and Jordan bid her goodbye with a kiss on the cheek. The young woman was definitely in her element these days and had bloomed. Jordan knew that most likely Analiese would never see the walls of Northwood again, and further hoped she would find a husband among the wealthy young nobles at court.

With the twins sleeping soundly and the wet nurse standing vigilant watch, Jordan took Byron’s twig-like arm and exited her rooms.

But they were not alone; three of the knights William had assigned to watch her lagged not far behind, as well as five or six soldiers. Jordan began to feel guilty for ignoring the men sworn to protect her. It was difficult to explain why she had rebuffed them; mayhap because she was in the seat of the English nation and still, deep down, English soldiers frightened her. She didn’t even think of Northwood’s knights as English, they were simply her family. Her knights.

It was nearing the nooning meal when she and Byron exited the castle into the blinding white sunshine. In spite of the great glare the day was cool, but the light still felt wonderful to her. Grasping Byron’s arm, they crossed the small courtyard on their way to the larger bailey at the very front of the castle.

She was surprised that Byron had much to say; he was usually silent. How he knew she was going for a walk, she didn’t ask. Her husband had said once that Byron was an extremely intuitive and wise man and for all she knew, he could read minds. But she was enjoying the conversation very much, even if she did not understand it, but was listening to Bryon talk about the latest developments in the ancient science of alchemy.

The small group passed into the main portion of the palace and Jordan watched the people with great interest. Almost all of her socializing had been done in her own apartments, and to actually land in the hive’s center was exciting for her. The last time she had passed through here she had been very pregnant, and very upset, and did not take the time to look about her. She admired the women and their dresses, and almost laughed at some of the men she saw wearing breeches so tight that she swore they stuffed their crotches to emphasize their manhood. Jewels and ribbons and strange perfumes assaulted her senses, and she was fascinated with it all.

The party rounded a corner and ran head long into none other than Daniel de Troiu. His face lit up when he saw Jordan, a bright, sexy smile creasing his lips.

“Lady de Wolfe!” he exclaimed happily. “What a pleasant surprise. I had no idea you were allowed out of your prison.”

Jordan was still mightily angry at him. She gazed at him coolly as he took her hand and kissed it.

“Baron,” she bobbed a small curtsy.

His gaze licked over her. “If I may be so bold, my lady, you do look delicious this day,” he said seductively. “You did not respond to my message the other day and I was concerned for you. Where are you going this bright morn?”

She stiffened at his disgusting compliment. Why hadn’t she seen him for what he truly was, before all of these horrible rumors got started? The man was nothing but a lascivious swine. Looking at him now, the way he was staring at her, told her everything she had been too blind to see before.

“My companion and I are going for a walk,” she replied evenly. “If ye will excuse us, Baron.”

He stepped aside only to join her little group as they walked past. “I believe I could use a dose of sunshine myself, my lady, if you do not mind,” he said. “It has been a long time since our last chat. I have missed talking to you.”

Jordan took a deep breath to fight off the insult that popped to mind. She had no desire to talk, walk or certainly be seen with the man. Analiese had said the rumors were just recently dying down. Abruptly, she came to a halt and faced him.

“In fact, my lord, I do mind,” she said frankly. “I mind a great deal. I am not wanting yer company at the moment.”

He looked shocked. “But…I do not understand, Lady Jordan,” he said gravely. “Have I done something to offend you? If so, then I will apologize a thousand times and beg for your forgiveness.”

She could feel her cheeks flushing angrily. “Leave me be, if you please,” she repeated as steadily as she could muster. “I would be alone with my companions.”

He put his hand on her arm and it was a grievous mistake. Instantly, the three knights behind Jordan were thrusting him away from her roughly, placing themselves protectively in between their mistress and the earl.

“She asked you to leave, my lord,” said one knight, the leader. His voice was deep and controlled. “You will comply with her wishes, if you please.”

De Troiu was angry and perplexed. “Nay, I do not please. This conversation is between the lady and myself, and I do not recall asking for or referring to your assistance. Step away if you value your position, knight.”

“My orders come from higher up than you, my lord,” the knight said, his tone still entirely respectful. “You will leave Lady de Wolfe alone, as you have been previously informed.”

Jordan listened, curious as to what the knight meant by ‘previously.’ But in faith, she was glad for their intervention and she intended to thank them when the time was right.

De Troiu was furious. “Baron de Wolfe does not outrank me.”