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She continued to stare up at him a moment. “Do ye want to kill me?”

He was completely stumped. The smile vanished. “Do I what?”

She turned away, staring at the brazier. “Nothing.”

She heard his timid footsteps come up behind her and stop. She almost wished he’d strike her down and end her torment. She’d not only embarrassed herself, but she probably lost her only English friend. Why did she speak before thinking? One of her many, many flaws, she thought grimly. And now, she had spoken completely out of turn with Kieran. She did not even know why she had asked him that. Her mind was not working properly.

“My lady, why would you think that I would want to kill you?” he asked sincerely. He had a deep, gentle voice.

She shook her head and let out a sigh of exasperation. “Forget I asked ye, please. I shouldna have.”

He didn’t move or speak. After several moments, she turned around to look at him.

“Sit down, man,” she commanded softly. “Dunna stand there staring at me.”

He raised his brows before moving into a crouched position several feet away. William was massive, but Kieran was unbelievable. And it was all muscle, too; she could see his bare forearms and they were like roped steel.

Jordan could see that he was still very puzzled but was politely obeying her request not to ask again. She stared back into the brazier.

“Because I am Scot,” she explained quietly. “After the battle today, I assume everyone wants to kill me because I am Scot.”

She heard him sigh. “I see,” he said. “Nay, my lady, I do not want to kill you. You have done nothing.”

She turned slowly to him, looking at his strong profile.

“Thank ye,” she said. “Yer a kind man. For an Englishman.”

He laughed. “Thank you, my lady,” he replied. “And may I say that you are a beautiful lady. For a Scot.”

She looked sharply at him to see if he was teasing her, but he could see no malice in his smile. She was suddenly embarrassed at his compliment. First William, now Kieran. She was going to become swell-headed if this kept on. But, God’s truth, she was beginning to enjoy the attention.

She smiled back. “Most Scot women are beautiful,” she replied.

He drew his brows together. “What about your maids? Surely you cannot mean them.”

“Every woman is beautiful in her own way,” she insisted.

“As you say,” he replied dubiously. “They look more like men than some men I have known. No offense.” he added quickly.

She giggled. “Be that as it may, they are loyal servants and their hearts are indeed beautiful,” she said.

He nodded sheepishly, hoping he had not offended the earl’s new bride.

She studied him more closely. “Tell me, sir knight, how long have ye served under Sir William?”

“We have known each other since we were squires,” he said. “I have served under him for six years.”

“Then ye have known him a long time,” she said.

“Aye, my lady,” he replied. “We have been through much together.”

He meant battles. With Scots. She dropped her gaze and fell silent. Kieran saw her downcast expression and was again fearful that he had again said something to offend her.

“Sir William is a good man,” he said, hoping she would forget about whatever he had said. “He is the very heart of this army. All of us would die for him.”

Her head came up. What had William told her? That he would die for her? Strangely, she felt special, as if she were included in this brotherhood in some way.

“ ’Tis a well-trained army,” she replied. “How many soldiers are there?”