The dark-haired woman grunted.
“I dunna suppose he’s finally managed tae break through,” she said. “At least she’s smiling. What do ye think, Jordie?”
Jordan de Wolfe, Lady Kilham, was watching through analytical eyes. “I think she’s being polite as she tells him tae leave her be,” she said. “I also think she’d better pay some attention tae Penny before the lass runs wild.”
Jemma, Lady Hage, folded her arms beneath her rather ample bosom as she watched. “She’s my own brother’s child,” she said. “I told Ian I’d watch her well and I dunna think that includes letting English knights hound her.”
Jordan cast her a long look. “Anthony d’Vant hasna hounded anything in his life,” she said, turning away from the window. “He’s a nice lad and, truth be told, between Talus and Anthony, I’d pick Anthony. He’s a kind man, while Talus…”
“Talus wants a meek and obedient wife,” Jemma said flatly. “He’d be good tae her, but he’d also be demanding.”
“Anthony wouldna be.”
“Nay,” Jemma said. “But I still dunna think my brother would like a Sassenach for a son.”
Jordan looked at her. “He has a Sassenach for a brother when ye married Kieran,” she pointed out. “But it’s of little matter, truthfully, because she’s never going back tae Langton. If she goes back, there’s no knowing what will happen tae her.”
Jemma shook her head sadly. “Who knew the lass would be safer in England than with her own kin?” she said. “Robbie never told her about those who wanted tae kill her, those angry enough over losing a son or a father that they wanted a pound of her flesh. He simply told her some people were angry about the battle at Etal. But nothowangry.”
Jordan sighed faintly as she took a seat, picking up the sewing she’d been working on. It was a new tunic for Penelope with flowers and dragonflies on it.
“She’ll never hear it from me,” she said. “But I’ll never let her go back, either. The question is what tae tell her if she asks. And she will ask.”
Jemma was still standing by the window. “Kieran says we must find her a husband,” she said. “If she has an English husband, mayhap she’ll not want tae return home, but if she does, she’ll have a knight by her side tae protect her.”
“Then our choices are Talus and Anthony? What about Gregory Payton-Forrester?”
Jemma turned to her. “The lad from Beverley Castle?” she said. “I like him. He’s a good friend of Alec’s.”
Jordan nodded. “And Scott and Troy,” she said. “That’s why I thought of him. He’s a good man and he’s kind tae his mother.”
Jemma pointed at her as if she had the best idea yet. “I like a man who’s good tae his mother,” she said. “I’ll ask Kieran what he thinks.”
“Ask me what?”
Kieran picked that moment to enter the solar, hearing his name. William was rolling in just behind him, both of them having come to the women’s solar because they knew there would be food there. It was mid-morning and, finished with their duties and having not broken their fast yet, they were looking for food. They would never think of raiding the kitchens but they weren’t beyond raiding the women’s solar.
“We were speaking of Annaleigh,” Jemma said, watching her husband move to the table that still had some food from the morning meal left on it. “The lass needs a husband.”
Kieran grunted as he collected a pitcher, half-full of tepid wine. “Talus and Anthony have been trying without any luck,” he said. “She simply isn’t interested.”
“What about Gregory Payton-Forrester?”
That drew a reaction from William. “There is no opportunity there,” he said. “The man is already pledged.”
“He isnot,” Jordan countered as if he’d just said something ridiculous. “There’s a lady who has been pursuing him, but no contract.”
William frowned. “There will be,” he said. “And I’m not getting in the middle of that. The lady comes from the Lancaster family of Kendal Castle and it would not do well to snatch a marital prospect out from under their noses. They might march on Castle Questing and then we’d all be sorry.”
Jordan snorted. “The Lancasters are all mad and everyone knows it.”
William wagged a finger at her. “As I said, I am not putting myself in the middle of that situation, not when we have a du Reims and a d’Vant in our own home,” he said. “Moreover, this is something her own father should be engaging in. This is not our responsibility.”
“It is our responsibility if she is never returning tae Langton,” Jordan said, looking up from her sewing. “We know what Robbie said about the kin who want her head on a pike. I’ll not let her go back tae such a place where she’s not safe. That means she stays with us.”
William wasn’t in disagreement, but it was more complex than his wife made it out to be. “Isn’t that Robbie’s decision?” he said quietly. “She’s a lovely girl, Jordan, and I would be happy to have her here, but that decision must come from her father.”
“I’ll write tae him,” Jordan said, returning her focus to her sewing. “I will ask him if she can stay here permanently. It will be tae her advantage, especially in marriage. There are many fine and wealthy knights who would vie for her hand. What more could her father want?”
