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William’s mouth opened and closed shut tightly with the horror of the mistake he had made. He had killed Malcolm thinking the man had slain his wife when, in fact, he should have pledged him his life. But he hadn’t known any better.

“Oh, Jordan,” he breathed. “I am so sorry, love. I killed him. I thought he was responsible for everything.”

Her eyes were filled with tears. “He was responsible for a lot of it, But in the end he helped Callie and I, out of guilt, I think. If it wasna for him, we would still be holed up in the barred room.”

William exhaled sharply, dealing with the overwhelming knowledge. As bad as he felt about killing Malcolm, the only thing that mattered was that Jordan was alive and well, and in his arms. His joy overrode his guilt as he gazed back at her.

“Are you sure you are all right?” he smiled with tentative joy.

She nodded, wiping at her eyes and returning his smile. “Aye, I am.”

He kissed her reverently, her face, her eyes. She sighed raggedly at his touch, new tears of joy stinging her eyes. Her courage was fading, replaced by the dependent need for her husband. There was no longer any need for her to show courage and she was quickly becoming an emotional bundle.

“I ought to bend you over my knee right here,” he whispered against her temple. “How could you have done something so foolish?”

“I wanted to see my Da and ye wouldna take me,” she answered, her throat tight. “They killed him, too.”

“Nay, they did not,” William replied. “We found him on the road. He is quite well.”

She gazed back at him; now, it was her turn to be astonished. “He lives? Oh, English, ’tis a miracle. The last I saw of him, he was surrounded by a dozen McKenna soldiers.”

“I assure you, he is very much alive,” her husband said. “Come now, stand up. We’ve got to get you out of here.”

He pulled his wife gently to her feet and she was immediately confronted with the bodies of Jason and Dunbar. She screamed, burying her face in William’s armor.

He patted her gently. “Jason felt no pain. He is a knight and death is a part of that vocation.”

“I know.” she cried, muffled, into his breastplate. “Who killed Dunbar?”

He pulled her face up to look at him. “You know that man?”

She nodded hesitantly. “ ’Tis Dunbar McKenna. Was the fight a fierce one?”

William glanced at Paris and Michael in wonder. “Not verily,” he replied. He had killed the infamous Dunbar McKenna and had unknowingly accomplished what he had set out to do. But he didn’t dwell on it; it was over and he simply wanted to get his wife to safety.

“Let’s go,” he said to her.

“Wait,” she pulled away from him and poked her head back into the tunnel opening. “Callie? Come out now. ’Tis safe.”

There was some rustling inside the tunnel, growing louder. “Who’s there, Jordan? Who are ye talking to?”

“My husband, ye silly goose.” she called back. “Hurry up.”

Caladora Scott emerged from the tunnel a few seconds later, and the knights had a good look at the third Scott woman. Her hair was a glorious shade of golden red, thick and faintly wavy. When she stood her full height, she was at least a head taller than her cousin and with the same beautiful pale green eyes. She was a very lovely girl, graceful and slim, with incredibly white skin.

Jordan took her cousin’s hand and smiled at her husband. “This is my cousin, Lady Caladora Scott. Callie, this is my husband, William de Wolfe, Baron Kilham.”

Caladora’s big eyes widened. “Ye’re The Wolf?” she blurted. “Ye dunna look at all like I imagined.”

The knights chuckled softly. “I hope that is good, my lady,” William smiled at her.

Embarrassed, Caladora blushed prettily and lowered her gaze. “I am sorry, ’tis not what I meant to say. ’Tis a pleasure to meet ye, sire.”

“And you, my lady,” William said, wishing there was more time for formalities, but he had to get the women to safety. “Paris, Michael, find the destriers. We shall take them out on horseback.”

Jordan happened to catch of glimpse of Paris’ face as he left then. His gaze lingered exceedingly long on Caladora, and Jordan was alerted to his thoughts. Amidst the pain and shock of the day, she felt a ray of joy and had to hide her grin.

Caladora suddenly gasped and Jordan knew she had seen the bodies, especially Dunbar’s.