Page 76 of Forbidden

“We—” Amber began, but Erik’s voice overrode hers.

“No soft cries that honor hasn’t been outraged and trust breached, along with your maidenhead? No blushes—”

“Nay, that’s not—”

“—and stuttered little pleas that—”

“Enough.”

The flat promise of violence in Duncan’s voice shocked Amber.

The hounds around Erik’s chair came to their feet in a bristling, snarling rush. The peregrine’s hooked beak opened in a shrill, savage cry. Unknowingly, Amber’s nails dug into Duncan’s wrist.

“Leave off harrying her,” Duncan said, ignoring the threatening animals.

He opened his mouth to add that discussing Amber as though she were a virgin was ridiculous, and nobody knew it better than Duncan. But a look at Erik’s feral, wolflike eyes convinced Duncan to be careful how he stated the truth.

“Amber’s maidenhead is as intact now as it was this morning,” Duncan said flatly. “You have my vow on that.”

In a silence outlined by the leap of flames, Erik turned the dagger over and over in his hand while he studied the dark warrior who loomed in front of him, ready for battle.

Yea, even eager for it.

Abruptly Erik understood. He threw back his head and laughed like a tawny devil.

The hounds settled their ruffs, stretched, and sprawled at ease once more, yellow eyes reflecting fire. A sweet whistle from her master cooled the peregrine’s ire.

When quiet had been restored, Erik gave Duncan a look of masculine sympathy.

“I believe you,” he said.

Duncan nodded curtly.

“You don’t have the relaxed air of a man who has spent the afternoon—and himself!—lying between a woman’s soft legs,” Erik added.

Duncan said something profane beneath his breath.

“Come to the fire, warrior,” Erik said, struggling not to show the smile concealed within his beard. “You must be stiff as a sword with chill. Or is that the only part of you still warm?”

“Erik!” Amber said, embarrassed.

He looked at her bright cheeks and smiled with a combination of affection and amusement.

“Little Learned innocent,” Erik said gently, “there isn’t a man or woman in the keep who doesn’t know where Duncan looks—and who looks back at him.”

Amber put her hands to her hot cheeks.

“’Tis a source of much betting among the men,” Erik said.

“What is?” Amber asked faintly.

“Whether you or he will break first.”

“It won’t be Duncan.”

Amber didn’t understand how much the tartness in her voice had given away.

Erik understood immediately. So did Duncan. While Erik gave in to laughter, Duncan went to Amber and hid her flaming face against his chest.