Page 77 of Forbidden

The contradictory currents Duncan’s touch revealed—prowling hunger, rue, laughter—were oddly comforting to Amber. But nothing was as reassuring as knowing that Duncan again welcomed her touch.

He had all but turned himself inside out to avoid contact with her on the way back to Sea Home.

With a sigh, Amber leaned against Duncan. Silently she drank the heady wine of his presence, letting it drive out the cold that had come over her when she heard the geese descending.

“Touching,” Erik said dryly. “Literally.”

“Leave off,” Duncan retorted.

“I suppose I must, but I haven’t been quite this amused since you accused me of wanting Amber for myself.”

Her head snapped up. She looked at Duncan, startled.

“You didn’t,” Amber said.

“Oh, but he did,” Erik countered.

Amber made an odd sound.

“Are you laughing?” Erik asked.

“Ummm.”

He frowned at her.

“Do you think it so unreasonable that a maid might be drawn to me?” Erik asked, offended.

“Nay,” Amber said quickly.

Erik raised his eyebrows.

After a moment Amber lifted her head and looked at the dark warrior who held her quite gently.

“But,” Amber added, “’tis absurd to believe that this maid would ever allow any man to touch her, save one.”

“Duncan,” Erik said.

“Aye. Duncan.”

“That is to be expected between a man and his betrothed,” Erik said matter-of-factly.

As one, Duncan and Amber spun and stared at Erik.

“My betrothed?” Duncan asked carefully.

“Of course,” Erik said. “We will announce it tomorrow. Or did you expect to seduce Amber with no thought to her honor—and mine?”

“I have told you,” Duncan said. “Until my memory returns, I can’t ask for Amber’s hand.”

“But you can take the rest of her, is that it?”

Duncan’s face darkened.

“The people of the keep are whispering,” Erik said. “Soon they will be talking openly about a foolish maid who lies with a man who has no intention of—”

“She has not—” Duncan began.

“Leave off,” Erik snarled. “It will come as surely as sparks fly upward! The passion between the two of you is strong enough to taste. I’ve seen nothing like it in my life.”