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Like lightening, it struck her. Before anyone could stop her, she was squealing in delight and running like a rabbit for the knights at the head of the column. Roan, alarmed, took steps to pursue but a rare shout from Byron stopped him.

“Nay, man,” the little physician said. “Do you not recognize The Wolf when you see him?”

William de Wolfe had returned.

*

William saw Jordan running toward them, surprised beyond words that she happened to be in the courtyard at the exact time he chose to ride in. He had hoped to surprise her, but suddenly she was dashing toward him and he was so overwhelmed with happiness that he dismounted his horse before it even came to a complete stop.

Jordan opened her arms wide, laughing and crying at the same time as she threw herself into her husband’s waiting arms. It didn’t matter that all she could feel was cold metal, jabbing and scratching at her. All that mattered was that he was here, and he was safe and real. He had come back for her and her heart was bursting with overwhelming joy.

“Ye’re truly here!” she cried. “Oh, English, I canna believe ’tis ye. Take off that blasted helmet and let me see yer face.”

He set her down, rapidly obliging her request. When the helmet came off, he was grinning from ear to ear and she threw herself at him again, kissing every inch of his exposed face. He should have discouraged her from such an open display in front of his men, but he could not.

In fact, he was responding just as feverishly. They were giggling and laughing delightedly in between heated kisses until he grasped her face to stop her.

“Jordan, love, you look magnificent,” he gushed for her ears only. “God, I could not believe it was you when we came riding in. What are you doing out here?”

“Going for a walk,” she informed him joyfully. Her eyes drank in the sight of him. “Oh, English, ’tis so good to see ye!”

His gaze turned soft and smoky. “You have no idea how much I have missed you. How are the twins?”

“Fat and happy,” she said, grinning broadly. “They eat like little pigs and are already smiling. Ye’ll be surprised when ye see them.”

“I have missed them,” he said. “I bet they’ve grown a score since I have been gone.”

Jordan started to reply when a familiar voice cut in. “How come I did not receive a greeting?” It was Paris, who then turned to the other knights. “Why is he privileged to such a greeting? You would think she was in love with him.”

Jordan and William turned around and it was then that Jordan realized William had brought his knights with him. All of them. She was speechless with delight.

“Paris!” she gasped. “And who else? Damnation, I canna recognize ye with yer helmets on. Take them off, all of ye, so that I may see ye.”

The mighty knights of Northwood revealed themselves to her, all of them grinning like fools: Paris, Kieran, Michael, Deinwald, Ranulf, Marc, Jason and Corin. She gazed back at them with pure joy, so pleased to once again see them riding with her husband. They were all so powerful, so massive in their own individual way and she was sure that her husband had the handsomest knights in the realm. Her heart swelled with pride and happiness; they had all come to escort her home and she knew that she would be the envy of every woman at court.

But she noticed immediately that two were missing, and she did not recognize one of them. She eyed the new knight, his face pleasant enough, but her curiosity for the missing two was overwhelming.

“Where are Lewis and Adam?” she asked her husband.

His smile faltered just a bit. “I shall tell you everything in a moment. But for now, I would like to retire to our apartments and you can start packing your things. We are going home.”

She gave a happy little laugh and threw her arms around his neck, squeezing him tightly. The smell of her, the feel of her, was enough to melt him to the very core.

All of the knights dismounted, their destriers taken by various soldiers, and followed a joyful William and Jordan back across the compound to where Byron and her escorts waited. Roan saluted smartly as William approached.

“My lord,” he greeted. “We were not expecting you personally.”

William nodded shortly. “Yet it seems I have come,” he replied, glancing at his wife. “Jordan, go with Byron and the others. Paris, Kieran, Roan and I will be along in a moment.”

She looked a bit puzzled but obeyed, taking Deinwald and Michael’s arms and leading them back into the castle. When he was sure his wife was out of earshot, he turned to Roan.

“What of de Troiu?” he demanded quietly.

“The man is as persistent as a damn fly, sire,” Roan replied distastefully. “He came around as you suspected and demanded to see your wife. I sent him away, not once but several times. And just this morn we encountered him on our walk and I had to physically restrain the man.”

William’s jaw ticked dangerously. He glanced at Paris before turning back to Roan. “Where is he?”

“Wait a moment, William,” Paris interjected. “You cannot call the man out, not right now.”