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“Deinwald, since you seemed so well-versed with the blacksmith’s trade, you may assist the man this afternoon when he shoes all of the destriers.” Deinwald didn’t even flinch and William continued. “Michael, I am sure Hilda here could use your help transporting goods from the cold house for the next week. And Corin and Lewis must be very good at milking cows since you were both so familiar with the buttery.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “Adam and Jason, I believe the stable master could use your help for the rest of the week, which leaves me with Kieran. You are already charged with Lady Jemma and doing a fine job. In fact, I believe you could handle the household servants with as great an efficiency. Considering Lady Analiese has her hands full planning an engagement party and a wedding, I believe I have just granted you the title of interim chatelaine.”

They were cut to the bone, insulted, degraded, stripped of their knightly dignity. Jordan was sick for them, but strangely saw none of their humiliation in their faces. They looked at William as if he were talking about the weather. They dispersed themselves without being dismissed. Kieran brushed by the ladies long enough to reach out and pull Jemma along with him.

William watched them until they had all disappeared from his view. Then, he went to Jordan.

“Walk with me,” he said.

“Nay,” she returned coldly.

He looked long at her. “I am growing weary of hearing that word come from your lips.”

She continued to glare at him, his insulting words rolling back and forth in her mind. She was so mad she was afraid to say anything more to him.

“I dunna wish to walk anymore,” she explained with embittered control. “I would return to my rooms.”

He continued to gaze impassively at her. “I will gladly return you after you accompany me.”

He was fueling her anger. “I have no wish to accompany a man who openly insults my heritage and then refuses to apologize.”

She heard him sigh sharply. “Jordan, do not fight with me. Just do as I ask. Walk with me.”

She considered balking once again, but relented reluctantly and together they walked across the compound, through the inner gates and into the outer bailey.

He led her outside the great wall of Northwood, across the drawbridge that lay over the stinking moat. She tried not to look at the sludge when they passed over for fear she would see something that would cause her to lose her recently eaten cheese. She briefly wondered if he were taking her far away so he could yell his head off and no one would hear him.

He took her elbow and led her through a bank of trees and across a small field to a lovely little lake. The smell of wildflowers were thick in the warm air and she could feel sweat beading on her back from the humidity.

He let go of her and walked to the edge of the lake, taking in the scenery. He was trying to think of a way to delicately phrase the news he bore, but had come to the unalterable conclusion that there was no easy way. She was already riled, which didn’t make matters easier on him.

“There is no simple way to put this, Jordan, so I must tell you bluntly,” he said finally. “I have just come from a meeting with the earl, the viscount, and Analiese. They have decided that Northwood would be better off without Jemma within its walls.”

Jordan’s anger fled, the void filled by complete horror. Her face went white. “What are ye saying, English? They mean to kill her?”

He turned to her. “Nay,” he assured her. “They simply mean to send her back to Langton. ’Twas a compromise of the earl’s choosing; Analiese still wanted her flogged but relented under the condition that Jemma be sent back to Scotland.”

Jordan was overwhelmed. “How can that bitch still be concerned over the events of last night?” she demanded. “She started it, all of it, yet Jemma is being punished? ’Tis not fair.”

“Jemma is not the earl’s daughter,” he replied quietly.

Jordan’s face was a mask of disbelief and anguish. She simply stared at him as if she could not believe what she was hearing.

He gazed back at him, compassion filling his eyes. “I am sorry, love. I really am. I tried to defend her.”

“Then there is nothing I can do?” she begged quietly. “Nothing I can say that would change his mind?”

William shook his head. “Nay,” he replied. “He is set. She leaves on the morrow.”

She looked away from him, turning back to the lake but not seeing it. She was completely flabbergasted.

“I shall be all alone,” she murmured.

“You will not,” he said firmly. “You will have me.”

She looked at him, knowing he meant well. But he did not understand.

“She is more than my cousin and my lady-in-waiting,” Jordan insisted softly. “She is Scot. She is the only other Scot for miles. We have been together since we were bairns, English, and I dunna want to give her up, not now. And she and….” she trailed off, unsure if she should verbalize her thoughts further.

He came to her. “I am listening. Continue.”