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“Jordan, a new mother needs her sleep,” he tried to reason with her. “You receive little enough as it is. Now will you walk to bed or will I carry you?”

She glared angrily at him, a flash of retort coming into her eyes, but just as suddenly her expression went soft and fearful.

“Are ye sure he is not in trouble?” she begged.

“I am sure enough,” he pulled her from the chair. “Now, go to bed and sleep peacefully. All will be well.”

With a reluctant glance, she obeyed. He smiled as her stiff back disappeared into the darkened bedchamber. She could jump to conclusions faster than anyone he had ever seen.

Paris let out a sigh and went to pour himself a cup of wine. As he put it to his lips, he suddenly knew it was going to be a long night.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Henry had been drinking and William knew it was not a good sign. Not a word had been spoken the entire way back to Henry’s private audience chamber but William tried to remain calm. He wondered if Henry was angry that he had returned from Northwood without announcement, or if de Troiu had groveled at the monarch’s feet and demanded satisfaction. He would soon find out.

Henry went to a huge stuffed silk chair and nearly collapsed in it. He looked pale and tired, and William noticed that the royal guard and stewards that had comprised their escort had disappeared. They were alone.

He stood in front of the king for a long, long time before Henry finally spoke.

“William,” he began slowly. “What is this that I hear about de Troiu?”

“Baron de Troiu has made unwanted advances toward my wife, sire,” William said flatly. “I would defend her honor.”

The king looked sharply at him. “You are my champion, William. You are supposed to defend me at all times. Why are you not at Northwood defending the crown against the Scots?”

“The Scot insurrection has been quelled for the moment, sire,” he replied. “I would not have left if I had not felt it safe to do so.”

The king was peeved. “Then where is my damn army?” he demanded. “You had better start explaining, baron, for my patience is wearing thin.”

William took a deep breath. “I left the army at Northwood under the command of Captain de Moray and Captain Payton-Forrester of Beverley,” he said evenly. “Although we beat back the Scots for the moment, Laird Scott seems to think the crisis is not over. He survived the attack on his fortress, although Langton is nothing more than a dead hulk. ’Tis best we maintain a show of force at the border until we are sure that the clans have given up or disbanded. Additionally, Northwood is in a state of repair and ’twould not do to have the Scots attack and break her down again. I am returning to Northwood on the morrow and resume my command.”

Henry nodded, a bit more pacified but he was still piqued. “After you kill de Troiu?”

William’s gaze was steady. “Aye.”

Henry frowned. “I like Daniel, William. And I like you. I am displeased.”

William’s jaw ticked. “Then I apologize, sire, but my wife’s honor and reputation are at stake.”

The king squirmed irritably in his chair. “I know the rumors, William, I heard them. But I paid them no attention because I know you and I know that you would not have a wife with gutter morals. Yet I am told she spent time, alone, with de Troiu. How does she explain this lack of judgment?”

“She was lonely, sire, and she knew de Troiu previously,” William explained, knowing Jordan sounded like a naive little girl. “She simply wanted someone to talk to, and she had virtually no friends here at court. I understand how it looked to observers and I understand how the rumors started, but the earl did nothing to stop the rumors. He even went so far as to declare his want for my wife. I cannot tolerate that action.”

The king sighed heavily, his hand on his face and looking at William between splayed fingers. Damn, he was getting too old for this nonsense. “I understand your anger,” he said quietly. “But I cannot allow this duel to take place ’Twould be disruptive and very, very costly. I sent de Troiu home earlier this evening and by now he is, hopefully, far away. You will leave on the morrow and take your wife back to Northwood where she belongs. Lord knows, she needs you around to put some common sense into that pretty head of hers.”

William was angry and stunned. “You sent de Troiu home?”

“Aye, I did,” Henry cocked an eyebrow as if daring William to challenge his decision. “Daniel is mildly amusing, which is why I have kept him here with me for the past several weeks. But he was wearing thin with me, and when he came to my chambers tonight and demanded that I punish you for issuing a challenge, I’d had enough. He is gone. And I will hear of no more challenges between you and him, de Wolfe. Deauxville Mount is nearly as big as Northwood and Questing and I will not have my border earls quarreling over, of all things, a Scot woman. Is this clear?”

William was rigid. “Aye, Your Majesty. I trust you explained the same standards to de Troiu?”

Henry scowled. “Of course I did, I am not daft.”

The room was uncomfortably silent for several moments while Henry decided if he wanted to go to bed or have more wine. His stomach was troubling him as well.

“Be gone, my champion,” he said finally. “Return to the wilds and inform me of the progress. You may also, if you so choose, select the six hundred troops I promised you for Castle Questing and send them to your keep. No better time to begin maintaining your seat, Warden of the North Border.”

William liked the sound of that title. It eased his anger towards de Troiu. “Will you wish for me to return to London when the crisis is resolved, sire, or am I to remain at Questing?” he asked.