Page 54

Kieran extended his hand to the lovely young lass. “My lady is to ride with me this morn.”

Jemma smiled happily and put her hand in his huge one. As if she weighed no more than a child, he pulled her up in front of him and waited politely until she moved herself to a comfortable position. Paris watched, scowling.

“She must be a witch,” he muttered. “Look; she has cast a spell on Kieran and turned him into a spineless whelp. Look how he smiles at her?”

William did crack a smile then. “If you could only hear yourself, Paris.”

Paris looked over at him indignantly, but before he could speak, William’s expression softened and Paris knew that Jordan was making her appearance.

A hush settled over the army. All eyes were on the vision crossing the field towards them. Even Kieran had taken his eyes off Jemma long enough to gaze appreciatively upon Jordan. One could almost hear the collective male sigh as they beheld a sight few have truly seen. A truly perfect woman.

William could not breathe. A small gust of wind could have knocked him from his horse. She was so incredibly beautiful that he almost could not believe she was real. As much as he wanted to race to her like an eager boy, that was as much as he knew that he could not.

It occurred to him that if he were going to get a handle on himself, he would have to get away from her. He was a sensible man and his common sense told him to put some distance between them for a while, at least until he could beat down his raging emotions. He would concentrate on what he did best today, and that would be soldiering.

But he stole one last glance at her. She was dressed in a clear shade of red, yards of voluminous brocade swirling around her as she walked. The dress was well off her shoulders, revealing just how exquisitely formed she really was, and the color complimented her beautifully. Her silky honey-blond hair was loose and flowing about her in soft waves.

She was breathtaking. William knew there was no one on the earth who could compare with her beauty. If he’d possessed any less strength he would have dropped to his knees before her.

“Paris,” he said, reining his horse away from her. “Take her with you.”

Paris cocked an eyebrow seductively. “With pleasure, my lord.”

William shot him a menacing look and Paris laughed. “A jest, William. It shall be, in truth, the most arduous of tasks.”

William spurred his animal back toward the column as Paris moved to meet Jordan.

Jordan saw William ride away and her heart sank. So she was to ride with Paris again today. She took a deep breath and reconciled herself to the fact that William simply did not like her very much. And he was probably mad at her for taking so long in preparing this morning, but it was necessary. She was to meet her future husband today and she wanted to look her best.

As Paris reined his horse in front of her she saw several soldiers break from the column and rush over to take down the tent. She smiled up at Paris, even though she did not feel much like smiling.

“I am sorry we took so long, sir knight,” she said to him. “I am sure the captain is quite angry with me.”

Paris dismounted. “Nay, my lady, he is not,” he said. He noticed she carried a small satchel. “Would you like me to take that?”

She handed it to him and watched him strap it to his saddle. As he was jostling it about, there was a great clanging. He raised his eyebrows at her.

“What do you have in here? The bells of Notre Dame?” he asked.

“Something much more valuable,” she insisted. “My comb and hand-mirror.”

“Ah,” he understood, securing the satchel. “Then, my lady, if you are ready?”

She nodded, her hair catching the light. “Aye,” she moved for the animal and suddenly stopped, causing Paris to nearly smash into the back of her. She turned around and caught his curious expression. “Tell me, Sir Paris, do I look…presentable? What I mean to say is, will the earl find me pleasant to look at? Do I look as if I could make a convincing countess?”

Paris smiled such a gentle smile that Jordan could not imagine what he was thinking. But he didn’t answer her question right away and that worried her immensely.

“My lady,” he said finally. “You would put the goddess Aphrodite to shame. The earl will be entranced by your beauty.”

Jordan turned pink. “Thank ye,” she muttered. “Ye really think so?”

Her innocence was refreshing. Paris realized she had no idea how beautiful she was, how she affected every man who saw her. The woman was not fishing for compliments, merely seeking reassurance.

“Yes, my lady, I really think so,” he said softly.

He helped her mount and jumped on behind her. He helped her adjust her skirts so that they lay across his leg and onto the flank of the horse, as not to get tangled up in the animal’s legs.

Paris put his arm around her waist to pull her against him when he was suddenly assaulted by the scent of lavender. God, it smelled so wonderful it made his head spin. Before he could stop himself she heard him groan low in his throat.