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Jemma stopped fussing and looked at her. “What makes ye think I care what an Englishman thinks of me?”

Jordan smiled broadly. “Because I see how ye look at him, Jemma, so do not try to fool me,” she said. “I know ye like him, and he likes you.”

Some of the huff went out of Jemma’s puff. She absently smoothed at the surcoat. “He is handsome. For an Englishman.”

“Aye,” Jordan agreed heartily. “And he’s nice for one, too.”

Jemma looked up then and Jordan could see a true conflict. The lass had spent so much energy hating the English that she was truly confused by her attraction. It would seem that both girls had similar concerns.

Jordan took the hairbrush and gently brushed her cousin’s hair. “Yer not a traitor to think him wonderful, Jemma,” she said softly. “He’s a man, flesh and blood, who just happens to be English.”

Jemma looked at her cousin in the reflection of the mirror. “Is that how ye feel of William?”

Jordan stopped brushing for a moment, then resumed slower. “William is my future husband’s captain. He is a kind and gentle man, and I will always respect him as such, English or no.”

“Ye’re avoiding the question,” Jemma told her. “As ye said yerself, I have seen ye look at him.”

Jordan looked long at her. “I am to be married to another man. I willna wish for what canna be.”

“Ye love him, Jordi?” Jemma’s voice was soft, questioning.

Jordan dropped her head, still brushing. “I dunna know. All I know is that he makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world and I crave to be with him. Is that love? I dunna know.”

Jemma watched as her cousin formed soft curls with her hands about her shoulders, the raven colored hair a sharp contrast to the burgundy. “All of the knights say he is in love with ye,” she said. “Did ye know that?”

Jordan looked surprised. “Nay, I dinna,” she said. “Sweet Jesu,’ I am being branded an adulteress even before my wedding?”

“They dunna say that,” Jemma smoothed at her own hair. “They like ye, much better than they like me. And they think William is God himself. I think they approve of the match.”

“There is no match between us,” Jordan said emphatically. “I am to be the earl’s bride, not William’s.”

Jemma smiled, much to Jordan’s surprise. “But in yer heart, ye wish ye were William’s, do not ye? ’Tis understandable. He is a beauteous devil.”

Jordan shook her head helplessly. “Not a word, Jemma. We must talk of this no more. Please?”

Jemma nodded. “I promise. No telling who is listening to us right now.”

Jordan was stricken. “Do ye think so?”

“I was jesting,” Jemma placated her. “No more talk, I promise.”

There was a loud rap at the door that made both girls jump with a start. Jordan’s heart was pounding as Jemma ran to open the door. One look at their callers made her head spin with delight.

William and Kieran stood in the door jamb, over filling it with their sheer size. Both were dressed in breeches and tunics and heavy boots.

Jordan barely acknowledged Kieran. Her eyes were riveted entirely to William. He was dressed entirely in black, his legs bulging with muscles through the breeches and the tunic stretched taut across his broad chest. She realized it was the first time she had ever seen him without his armor. Bathed and shaved, he looked for all the world like a god descended.

“Ladies,” William could not take his eyes from her. “The earl awaits.”

Jordan smiled, accepting his offered arm. He smiled back, his free hand closing over her small one as it gripped his elbow. She felt giddy gazing into his beautiful eyes, remembering Jemma’s comments and knowing how true her cousin was. She did indeed love him.

William didn’t say a word until they were descending the stairs. “How are you feeling, my lady?” he asked.

“Much better,” she replied breathlessly, still feeling flushed from the sight of him. “The potion Byron gave me worked wonders.”

“He is a knowledgeable man. You look as if you have not seen a day of hardship.”

She laughed and it sounded like silver tinkling bells to him. “Good,” she replied, then quickly turned her attention back to Jemma and Kieran. “Kieran, take care with her. The dress she wears is too long and she will trip and break her neck if she isna careful.”