He seemed nice enough, but she wondered what had happened to Lewis and Adam. She didn’t want to ask her husband again for she knew he would tell her when he was ready.
Jordan ordered a large meal and shortly they were all seated, enjoying the finer foods from the king’s kitchens. It was a tremendously enjoyable meal, and Jordan could not remember being more happy or gay. The knights joked and teased one another, and her as well, and she felt as if she were sitting with her family, except she had never loved her family the way she loved these men.
As they were enjoying the last of the meal, there was a knock at the door. Jordan rose, insisting that the knights they remain seated and keep eating. Going to the door, she was stunned to see de Troiu standing in the door jamb.
“Jordan!” he exclaimed. “I must speak with you, dearest. I had to threaten your man before he would let me through, but I simply must speak with you.”
Jordan’s mouth was agape as she glanced over de Troiu’s shoulder to catch a glimpse of d’Vant. He stood several feet away and gave her a devilish grin before turning away. In that second she knew that the baron had no idea her husband and his knights were in the room behind her. The open door furthermore blocked his view of the eating table.
Jordan wasn’t sure if she should let him in or tell him to run for his life. He made the decision for her by putting his hands on her upper arms insistently.
“Please, dear, let me in so that I may speak with you,” he said, pushing her back and stepped into the room.
William slammed the door behind him so hard that the windows on the opposite wall rattled. De Troiu spun around in shock only to come face to face with The Wolf himself. Simultaneously he became aware of an entire table of knights, standing around a table, several feet away. His heart lurched into his throat.
“De Wolfe!” he exclaimed, nearly in fear. “I had not heard of your arrival.”
William’s jaw ticked. “No doubt,” he growled. “What is so important that you would take your life into your hands by coming to see my wife?”
De Troiu was stumped. His mind was wildly trying to think of an excuse to tell the baron but all that came out of his mouth was a stammer.
“Well, nothing, really I had heard…that is, I was under the impression that I had offended your wife and I…simply wanted to apologize.” He rapidly turned to Jordan. “For whatever I have done to offend you, I apologize.”
She opened her mouth to reply but William suddenly closed the distance between him and de Troiu, and stood menacingly over the shorter man.
“You have said your piece,” he said. “You should have stayed away from my wife, Daniel. The next time I see you, it will be for our duel.”
De Troiu went from real fear to defiant anger. “Duel? For what?” he wanted to know. “I haven’t done anything except keep your wife company in your absence. The poor lady was miserable while you were off romping about the wilds killing her fellow Scots.”
Jordan could almost hear a collective groan go up amidst the knights; de Troiu had a death wish speaking to William in such a manner. Whatever happened now, William was completely justified in his actions.
But William’s face remained completely in control. In fact, he seemed calmer than he had just a moment before.
“I would thank you now for the support of Deauxville Mount and the assistance of Captain Brockenhurst,” he said. “The man is an invaluable friend and ally. You, however, have overstepped your bounds. I know of the rumors of you and my wife, and I further know you encouraged them. Would you do me the courtesy of telling me the reason behind this insanity before I strike you down?”
De Troiu was shaking with anger and fear. “I owe you nothing, de Wolfe. I do not answer to you.”
William held up a finger. “When you involve my wife in your sordid affairs, you answer to me before you answer to God. I will kill you for tarnishing my wife’s reputation.”
The baron fought to remain calm. “Then you will have to fight Brockenhurst. He is my champion.”
“And he is at Northwood,” William reminded him icily. “ ’Tis you I will call out, here and now. Choose your weapon; it makes no difference to me.”
“I would see what the king has to say about your challenge,” de Troiu said.
“This is between you and me, Daniel,” William lowered his voice. “ ’Tis you who have pursued my wife, not the king. This is a matter of personal honor. Be a man for once and take responsibility for your actions.”
The baron stared at William before looking to Jordan. She gazed back at him emotionlessly. “What did you tell him, Jordan?” he demanded harshly.
In the blink of an eye, William grabbed de Troiu and slammed him violently into the wall. Jordan was suddenly shoved out of the way by Deinwald as the knights rushed to pry William off of the earl. She was frightened listening to de Troiu’s fearful grunts and the soft pleas of Paris and Kieran to William to let the smaller man go.
Half of the knights seemed to be pulling on de Troiu while the other half were firmly trying to wrestle William’s hands from around the man’s neck. Terrified, Jordan stood behind Deinwald with her eyes bugging.
It didn’t help matters when de Troiu kicked out in panic, striking William in the thigh. When it became apparent that William was bent on strangling the earl at that very moment, Deinwald let go of Jordan and rushed forward, jamming himself between the two men and managing to break William’s hold with a good deal of effort.
Paris and Kieran held their lord back while de Troiu roughly pulled himself free of the knights who had gripped him.
“ ’Tis inexcusable.” de Troiu spat. “You shall pay for that, de Wolfe.”
“At dawn, de Troiu,” William was seething anger and hatred. “At dawn on the joust field, I end your miserable life.”
Jordan, forcing herself to calm now that they were separated, stepped beside her husband.
“Get out, Daniel,” she said coldly.
De Troiu angrily straightened his clothing, glaring at Jordan. “My pleasure, my lady, though I must say ’twill be a pleasure to claim the prize from tomorrow’s match,” he made sure he was looking at William. “Mayhap you will bear me twin sons, as well.”
William lurched but Paris and Kieran restrained him. Michael grabbed de Troiu and half threw the man from the room.
William was so angry he was white. He jerked himself free of confining hands and swung away from his knights, trying to compose himself. Jordan went after him, her soft hands on his back soothingly. Not one man in that room had ever seen William so angry and they would be surprised if he waited until the morrow to take de Troiu’s life.
D’Vant stuck his head in through the door. “My lords?” he said timidly. He had heard the entire exchange and the ensuing scuffle. “ ’Twas my indiscretion to allow the baron entrance. I thought he would wisely retreat when he saw….”
William turned around. “And you were wise in your judgment, Roan. ’Twas good that you allowed him to hang himself.”
Roan looked surprised. “But you are to fight the baron, my lord. That was never my goal when I let the man pass.”
“But it was my goal the moment I received the missive from my wife telling me of the earl’s improprieties,” William was calm enough to put his arm around Jordan’s waist. “Come in here, d’Vant, and join us as we finish our meal.”
Deeply honored and a bit puzzled, Roan closed the door behind him and quickly found himself getting acquainted with Northwood’s knights.
William was a bit embarrassed at his loss of control and was eager to put the incident behind him. But Jordan sat next to him, her eyes wide with fear, and he found it difficult to move ahead. He finally resorted to patting her hand gently and encouraging her to eat, hoping to take her mind off the subject. She obeyed his request, although the food was tasteless and she thought she might get sick, but for William’s sake she put up a brave front.
Jordan was terrified. He would be fighting a duel for her honor, for t
heir honor, and she was sick at heart. Yet it was not out of fear for him, for she knew he was the best knight in the realm and he could easily best de Troiu, but out of the fact that the earl would be the third man William would have had to punish because of her. First there had been the boy who had thrown the rock, then there was Earl Corvalis’ son, and now de Troiu. She didn’t like being responsible for these actions.
It was past midnight and Jordan was just drifting off to sleep after feeding the twins when there was a sharp rap at the door, William was already awake and, with sword in hand, demanded to know who it was.
The door flew open in reply and Henry himself stood in the archway, his distinguished face grim.
“Get up, William,” he ordered in a low voice. “I would speak with you.”
Fear surged through Jordan; Henry was angry and she was terrified for William. The man could make or break a life with the flick of a hand and she wondered wildly if the king had come here to order her husband to the Tower. There was no telling what de Troiu had told the king, and she knew he was the reason why the monarch stood in her bedchamber.
William rose calmly and dressed in soft leather breeches, a white tunic and his heavy black boots. He didn’t even bother to strap on his sword. Jordan watched him, wide-eyed, as he exited the room behind the king. It took her a moment to realize that he hadn’t said one word to her.
She jumped from the bed and threw on a robe, rushing out into the antechamber. It was cold and dark and quiet. Her panic was rising as she went to the front apartment door and threw it open. Roan’s piercing blue eyes met her.
“Where did they go?” she demanded breathlessly.
“The king and William retreated down the hall, my lady,” he replied. “I do not know where they have gone.”
She was starting to shake. “Sir Roan, where are the other knights?”
“Northwood’s knights are housed in the royal knight’s quarters.”
Her breath coming hard and fast, she fixed Roan in the eye. “Get me Sir Paris and Sir Kieran. Now.”
She slammed the door before he could reply.
When Kieran and Paris arrived nearly a half hour later, Jordan was pacing back and forth in the antechamber nearly out of her mind with worry. When they came in, she ran to Paris.
“The king took him!” she gasped. “He ordered William out of bed and demanded to speak with him. He’s going to punish him, I know it.”
Paris grasped her arms and guided her toward the nearest chair. “Calm down, Jordan,” he said evenly. “You are all worked up. Now, tell me; just what is Henry supposed to punish William for?”
She looked at him as if he were daft. “For challenging de Troiu,” she said, throwing up her hands. “Daniel must have run right to the king and God only knows what he told him. Oh, Paris, something horrible is going to happen.”
“Nothing horrible is going to happen,” Paris insisted softly before turning to Kieran. “Why don’t you see where they have gone and see if you can be of any assistance to William, eh?” He punctuated the last word with a lift of his blond brows.
Kieran knew what he meant, to wait outside the door and be prepared to defend William however required. He nodded shortly and left the room.
“The king was so angry, Paris,” she went on. “He simply barged into our bedchamber with barely a knock. Oh, God, will he banish him to the Tower?”
“For what?” Paris repeated. “Jordan, William has done nothing to warrant punishment. Now you are getting yourself upset for no reason. Kieran will find out what is going on, and until such time as he returns, why do not you go back to bed.”
“No!” she snapped.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Aye, you will. I will wait here and wake you the moment Kieran, or William, returns. I promise.”
Her mouth pursed stubbornly. “I am staying right here. I canna sleep.”
“Jordan, a new mother needs her sleep,” he tried to reason with her. “You receive little enough as it is. Now will you walk to bed or will I carry you?”
She glared angrily at him, a flash of retort coming into her eyes, but just as suddenly her expression went soft and fearful.
“Are ye sure he is not in trouble?” she begged.
“I am sure enough,” he pulled her from the chair. “Now, go to bed and sleep peacefully. All will be well.”
With a reluctant glance, she obeyed. He smiled as her stiff back disappeared into the darkened bedchamber. She could jump to conclusions faster than anyone he had ever seen.
Paris let out a sigh and went to pour himself a cup of wine. As he put it to his lips, he suddenly knew it was going to be a long night.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Henry had been drinking and William knew it was not a good sign. Not a word had been spoken the entire way back to Henry’s private audience chamber but William tried to remain calm. He wondered if Henry was angry that he had returned from Northwood without announcement, or if de Troiu had groveled at the monarch’s feet and demanded satisfaction. He would soon find out.
Henry went to a huge stuffed silk chair and nearly collapsed in it. He looked pale and tired, and William noticed that the royal guard and stewards that had comprised their escort had disappeared. They were alone.
He stood in front of the king for a long, long time before Henry finally spoke.
“William,” he began slowly. “What is this that I hear about de Troiu?”
“Baron de Troiu has made unwanted advances toward my wife, sire,” William said flatly. “I would defend her honor.”
The king looked sharply at him. “You are my champion, William. You are supposed to defend me at all times. Why are you not at Northwood defending the crown against the Scots?”
“The Scot insurrection has been quelled for the moment, sire,” he replied. “I would not have left if I had not felt it safe to do so.”
The king was peeved. “Then where is my damn army?” he demanded. “You had better start explaining, baron, for my patience is wearing thin.”
William took a deep breath. “I left the army at Northwood under the command of Captain de Moray and Captain Payton-Forrester of Beverley,” he said evenly. “Although we beat back the Scots for the moment, Laird Scott seems to think the crisis is not over. He survived the attack on his fortress, although Langton is nothing more than a dead hulk. ’Tis best we maintain a show of force at the border until we are sure that the clans have given up or disbanded. Additionally, Northwood is in a state of repair and ’twould not do to have the Scots attack and break her down again. I am returning to Northwood on the morrow and resume my command.”
Henry nodded, a bit more pacified but he was still piqued. “After you kill de Troiu?”
William’s gaze was steady. “Aye.”
Henry frowned. “I like Daniel, William. And I like you. I am displeased.”
William’s jaw ticked. “Then I apologize, sire, but my wife’s honor and reputation are at stake.”
The king squirmed irritably in his chair. “I know the rumors, William, I heard them. But I paid them no attention because I know you and I know that you would not have a wife with gutter morals. Yet I am told she spent time, alone, with de Troiu. How does she explain this lack of judgment?”
“She was lonely, sire, and she knew de Troiu previously,” William explained, knowing Jordan sounded like a naive little girl. “She simply wanted someone to talk to, and she had virtually no friends here at court. I understand how it looked to observers and I understand how the rumors started, but the earl did nothing to stop the rumors. He even went so far as to declare his want for my wife. I cannot tolerate that action.”
The king sighed heavily, his hand on his face and looking at William between splayed fingers. Damn, he was getting too old for this nonsense. “I understand your anger,” he said quietly. “But I cannot allow this duel to take place ’Twould be disruptive and very, very costly. I sent de Troiu home earlier this evening and by now he is, hopefully, far away. You will leave on t
he morrow and take your wife back to Northwood where she belongs. Lord knows, she needs you around to put some common sense into that pretty head of hers.”
William was angry and stunned. “You sent de Troiu home?”
“Aye, I did,” Henry cocked an eyebrow as if daring William to challenge his decision. “Daniel is mildly amusing, which is why I have kept him here with me for the past several weeks. But he was wearing thin with me, and when he came to my chambers tonight and demanded that I punish you for issuing a challenge, I’d had enough. He is gone. And I will hear of no more challenges between you and him, de Wolfe. Deauxville Mount is nearly as big as Northwood and Questing and I will not have my border earls quarreling over, of all things, a Scot woman. Is this clear?”
William was rigid. “Aye, Your Majesty. I trust you explained the same standards to de Troiu?”
Henry scowled. “Of course I did, I am not daft.”
The room was uncomfortably silent for several moments while Henry decided if he wanted to go to bed or have more wine. His stomach was troubling him as well.
“Be gone, my champion,” he said finally. “Return to the wilds and inform me of the progress. You may also, if you so choose, select the six hundred troops I promised you for Castle Questing and send them to your keep. No better time to begin maintaining your seat, Warden of the North Border.”
William liked the sound of that title. It eased his anger towards de Troiu. “Will you wish for me to return to London when the crisis is resolved, sire, or am I to remain at Questing?” he asked.
“You are my champion, William, until I say otherwise,” the king replied reprovingly. “You will return to London if I wish it.”
William, somewhat annoyed and depressed, nodded. “And I shall obey, sire.”
Henry slouched in his chair, scratching at his dirty scalp. “And there is another thing; why was the Earl of Teviot not with you upon your return, as I ordered?”
“Because he is dead,” William replied bluntly, noting the faint furrow of surprise on Henry’s brow. “He and his brother fell into a scuffle and the younger de Longley killed the earl in self-defense.”
The Original de Wolfe Pack Complete Set: Including Sons of de Wolfe Page 110
