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William stopped and faced him. They were virtually alone on the wall save a few sentries scattered over the compound.

He sighed. “Lady Jordan….”

Paris snorted. “There is no problem there,” he announced with satisfaction. “She will rule the roost before the month is out, although I have doubts as to whether Jemma will survive the week if she does not control her mouth.”

“Paris, you do not understand.” William waved a hand at him to stop his jabbering, his voice dropping to a whisper. He felt as if he were choking on the very words. “I took her.”

It took a moment for Paris to realize what he was saying. Then, his face went slack in slow motion as his astonishment registered in stages.

“You did what?” His voice was an octave lower than his usual speaking tone. “You… you took her?”

With his confession from his lips, William felt as if an enormous weight had been lifted from him yet, at the same time, he felt he had endangered Paris with the very knowledge and felt guilty for it. But what was done was done.

“Damnation, Paris,” he slammed his fist into his open palm with great force. “I love the woman and she loves me and I took her.”

Paris calmly digested the statement. “Do you regret it?”

“Nay,” William returned. “But my shame of betrayal is overwhelming me. I tried to fight the feelings that were growing, God help me, but they were stronger than I was. Had she not returned the feelings they would have been much easier to suppress. I can no longer deny anything anymore.”

Paris smiled faintly. “I was wondering how long it would take you to admit it to yourself,” he said quietly. “I knew. All along I knew. I tried to tell you but you would not listen to me.”

“I could not, should not, would not, but when it came down to it, I fell like Babylon to Alexander,” William said with a hint of disgust. “Do I regret that I love her? Never. But I should not have let it go as far as it has. There is no turning back now.”

They resumed their walk, each man deeply engrossed in his own thoughts.

“Do you think that I am wrong?” William’s jaw ticked. He was never wrong, ever, and to ask Paris that simple question spoke volumes.

Paris did not take the question lightly. “Love is never wrong,” he said. “The timing may not be convenient, but it is not wrong to truly love someone. However, you must be careful. If there is any suspicion at all, the wrath of the earl will fall on Jordan.”

William nodded his head in mute agreement. Paris passed a glance at him to see his expression; it was as stony as always.

“What will happen when de Longley takes her to bed and discovers she is not virgin?” he asked pointedly.

William rolled his eyes in a gesture of pure frustration. “She claims that she will wear a ring with a sharp edge to their marital bed and prick herself on the finger without the earl’s knowledge, then she will smear the blood on the sheets. I cannot believe I listened to her.”

To his surprise, Paris actually looked amused. “She said that? By God, that is an old trick. If done correctly, it will work.”

“God, not you, too,” William moaned softly. “I should never have allowed her to suggest such a thing because I must confess I thought it plausible, too. I cannot believe I was so foolish.”

“ ’Tis too late now, at any rate,” Paris’ amusement was fading.

“Aye,” William conceded. Then he sobered. “When I think of de Longley touching her, it drives me mad.”

Paris grew serious. “Control yourself, man, for if Analiese or Alexander or the earl catch wind of anything unusual, the game is up.”

“There is no game,” William answered snappishly. “I love her and will protect her with my life. If worse comes to worse, then….” He trailed off.

“Then what?” Paris demanded softly.

William looked resolutely at him. “Then I take Jordan and we will go. I do not know where, but we will go.”

Paris raised his brow. “But if worse does not come to worse, will you be content to spend the rest of your life secretly loving your liege’s wife? To know that she will never be yours, and to know that the children she bears, be they yours or the earls, will bear the de Longley name? You are not a man used to compromise, William. I have a feeling this situation will eventually come to a head in any event.”

William was broodingly silent. “You know me well,” he said softly. “Then tell me, my friend, where will your loyalty be? You have always followed my orders over de Longley’s and I have always known you were more loyal to me than to him. But, in faith, if I leave this place, you would be captain in my stead. ’Twould be a hard position to pass on.”

Paris didn’t react. Then, he smiled a slow, knowing smile. William wondered why his eyes seemed to twinkle. “I hear Flanders is lovely in the spring time. I should find it very pleasant living there, serving a mercenary lord and his lovely Scot wife.”

William felt a wave of relief rush over him, although he never truly doubted Paris’ answer. He smiled in return. “You are a loyal fool to the bone, man.”