Page 41 of Forbidden
“It makes me wonder if perhaps the man who discovered me didn’t take my armor to pay for his trouble,” Duncan added.
“He didn’t.”
“You sound confident.”
“I am. I was the man who found you.”
Duncan’s right eyebrow rose in a questioning arc.
“Amber told me only that you had brought me to her,” Duncan said.
At Erik’s signal, the knights turned and rode from the cottage yard. After a time, Erik reined his horse alongside Duncan’s.
“Is your memory returning?” Erik asked.
“Bits and fragments, no more.”
“Such as?”
Though asked politely, the question was a command. Both men knew it.
“I fought the Saracen,” Duncan said, “but I don’t know when or where.”
Erik nodded, unsurprised.
“I feel naked without weapons or armor,” Duncan said. “I have some skill at hawking.”
“You ride well,” Erik added.
Duncan looked surprised, then thoughtful. “Odd. I assumed everyone did.”
“Knights, squires, and warriors, yes,” Erik said. “Serfs, villeins, merchants, and the like, no. Some priests ride well. Most don’t, unless they came of highborn families.”
“I doubt I’m a priest.”
“Why not? Many a fine warrior-priest has ridden against the Saracen for Church and Christ.”
“But the Church desires—yea, of late it even demands!—celibacy.”
Without realizing it, Duncan looked over his shoulder, where Amber rode alone.
She saw his glance and smiled.
Duncan smiled in return, watching Amber with a longing he couldn’t conceal. Even in the gray drizzle, she seemed to gather light into herself, becoming a golden presence that warmed everything within reach.
He wished he were free to ride next to Amber, his leg brushing hers occasionally. He loved to see the color flood her cheeks at his touch, to hear her breath shorten, and to sense the hidden stirring of her sensuality.
“No,” Duncan said, turning back to Erik, “celibacy is not for me. Now or ever.”
“Don’t even think of it,” Erik said icily.
Duncan gave the younger man a wary look.
“Think of what, my lord?” Duncan asked.
“Seducing Amber.”
“No maid isseducedwithout her permission.”
