Page 279

The two women watched a moment as Cord and Ian seated Mary Alys between. Then Jordan suddenly remembered why she had been so eager.

“Oh!” she exclaimed. “I nearly forgot to tell ye. Paris came to escort Callie to dinner tonight. Jemma, ye should have seen him. Dressed like a god.”

Jemma’s face lit up like the sun. “He did? Where are they?”

“Not here,” Jordan announced scandalously. “He musta taken her for a walk. William and my Da are out and about looking for them now. It seems William has stepped into Uncle Nathaniel’s shoes and has taken it upon himself to protect Callie’s virtue.”

Jemma giggled. “When ye first told me he had eyes for her, I dinna believe ye until I saw it for myself. Who would have known he was capable of noticing someone other than himself?”

“Well, I think it ’tis wonderful,” Jordan said with a confident nod. “They suit each other.”

Dinner was in full swing by the time Paris and Caladora entered the hall, followed several feet later by William and Thomas. The musicians played softly as the diners partook of the feast and William smiled at his wife as he took his seat beside her.

Jordan watched him get comfortable and take a drink from his cup.

“Well?” she demanded softly.

A servant put a trencher in front of him and he broke apart a huge chunk of bread.

“Well what?” he played dumb.

She flamed good-naturedly. “English!”

He grinned and took a bite of pork, chewing politely before answering his wife. “We found them on the wall. Nothing shattering.”

She grabbed him by the tunic. “William de Wolfe, I am going to throttle ye if ye dunna tell me of Paris’ intentions toward my cousin.”

He kissed her nose and smiled deep into her eyes. She smiled back but did not release him. “Love, everyone is going to think that you are intent on pounding me here and now. Besides, you are mussing my tunic.” When she mock-pouted and let go, he leaned over and took another bite. “You had it correct with your first observation, madam. Paris likes your cousin.”

“I knew it!” she cried triumphantly, then looked innocent as people glanced up at her sudden outburst. When they looked back to their meal, she sat back in her chair and whispered. “I knew it. I told ye, did I not?”

“Aye, you did but he has yet to marry her, so do not get too excited,” he told her, mopping at his trencher with a piece of bread.

She simply grinned smugly, making a face at him when he glanced over at her. He shook his head and continued his meal and she watched him contentedly, having already eaten more than she should have.

God, she loved him. Then her smile faded a bit, with the tensions over with, he would be going back to London soon and her heart was deeply saddened with the thought that she would be leaving her beloved family once again. On her other side her father sat eating, quietly conversing with Adam now and again. She watched him a moment, too, and noticed he was a bit subdued. Just the excitement of it all, she assumed.

“What’s the matter, Da?” she leaned over, resting her chin on his shoulder.

Thomas looked at her, an instant smile on his lips. “Nothing. Why?”

She gazed back. “Ye’re quiet. Arena ye happy that we’re all together again?”

He nodded emphatically. “Of course I am,” the bite he had in his hand slowed a bit. “But I was thinking…, oh, never mind what I was thinking. Tell me when we are going to see this great Castle Questing?”

She shook her head. “Do not distract me. What were ye thinking?”

Thomas was hesitant. He shrugged, took a bite, and then shrugged again. “I was remembering when ye and yer cousins would dance the jig for us on cold nights. Remember? Lord, the three of ye could dance the devil right off of his throne.” His eyes took on a distant, soft look. “Ever since the three of ye were bairns. I guess this fine meal and music made me think of it. I miss those times, lass.”

Jordan’s eyes were big and moist as she watched him. He had lost so much. She did so want to see him happy again.

“We will have more of the same, I promise ye,” she said softly.

Releasing her father, she rose and walked past her husband and Paris to where Caladora and Jemma sat. Leaning down, she whispered something to her cousins and the two women promptly rose and followed her off the dais, winding their way around another table and several soldiers as they quit the room.

The men left at the table stared in confusion at the doorway the ladies had just passed through.

“Now where do ye suppose they’re going?” Thomas demanded, turning to William.