Page 135 of Forbidden

“As a man whose memory was gone.”

“What did they call him?”

“Duncan,” Simon said.

“Why?”

“Because he is dark and a warrior. At least, that is what Erik said.”

“Did they explain how Duncan lost his memory?”

“Nay,” Simon said savagely. “Erik said he found Duncan in a storm, senseless and naked but for that amber talisman you had given him.”

“Sven?” Meg asked.

“I heard naught but what Simon did.”

“The talisman saved his life,” Simon said.

“How so?” Dominic asked.

“Erik was expecting Duncan of Maxwell or his knights. A common stranger would have been killed as a spy or an outlaw. But a stranger wearing an amber talisman was different.”

“They took Duncan to Amber the Untouched,” Meg summarized.

Simon looked curiously at her, wondering how she had known.

“Yes,” Sven said quietly. “It is said that all things amber belong to her.”

“Yes,” Meg said.

For the space of several slow breaths she looked into a distance only Glendruid eyes could see.

“Did you know, small falcon?” Dominic asked Meg softly. “Is that why you gave the talisman to Duncan?”

“I dreamed of amber,” she said. “And I dreamed that Duncan was going into great danger.”

Dominic smiled slightly. “I knew about the danger while wide awake. ’Tis why I sent Duncan to secure Stone Ring Keep. Only a powerful warrior could take an estate in the Disputed Lands.”

“And only a wealthy knight could hire enough fighters to hold such an estate,” Simon added.

“Aye,” Dominic said. “’Tis why King Henry arranged a wedding with the daughter of Charles, the Baron of Deguerre.”

“Don’t count on the marriage,” Simon said bluntly.

“Why not?”

“The people of Sea Home were making wagers on how soon Amber would wed Duncan the Nameless, the one man whom she could touch with pleasure.”

“God’s teeth.” snarled Dominic. “Duncan must be mad. Lady Ariane arrived here three days ago!”

Simon looked surprised. “I saw no strange men or servants in the bailey.”

“She came alone but for a lady’s maid and three knights to guard her dowry,” Meg said.

“The knights left as soon as they saw the dowry safely inside the keep,” Dominic added.

“Hardly the way I would expect a great baron to treat his hounds,” Simon muttered, “much less his only daughter.”