Page 42 of Forbidden
“Amber is called the Untouched. She is totally innocent. She wouldn’t have the least idea of what a man wanted until it was far too late.”
Duncan laughed, shocking Erik.
“No untouched maiden would be so vividly, sensually aware of a man,” Duncan said, amused.
Erik’s shock gave way to cold fury.
“Understand this, Duncan the Nameless,” Erik said distinctly. “If you seduce Amber, you will face me in single combat. And you will die.”
For a moment Duncan said nothing. Then he looked at Erik with the coolly measuring glance of a man to whom battles were neither new nor feared.
“Don’t force me to fight you,” Duncan said, “for I will win. Your death would grieve Amber, and I have no desire to bring her sadness.”
“Then keep your hands off her.”
“As the lady wills. If she is, as you say, untouched, there will be no difficulty. She won’t respond to the sensual lure.”
“Don’t offer it,” Erik said in a clipped tone.
“Why not? She is well beyond the age of marriage, yet she is neither betrothed nor under a lord’s private seal.” Duncan paused, then added, “Is she?”
“Betrothed? Nay.”
“Is she some lord’s leman?”
“I just told you, Amber is untouched!”
“Is she yours?” Duncan pressed.
“Mine? Haven’t you been listening? She is—”
“Untouched,” Duncan interrupted. “Aye. So you say.”
Duncan frowned, wondering why Erik was so intent on believing that Amber was a virgin, when Duncan had no doubt that the opposite was the case.
“Do you fancy Amber for yourself?” Duncan asked after a moment.
“Nay.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Why?”
“Amber is…extraordinary. No man could look at her without wanting her.”
“I can,” Erik said bluntly. “I no more desire Amber carnally than I would a sister.”
Duncan gave the other man a startled look.
“We were raised together,” Erik explained.
“Then why do you object to my touching her? Do you have a marriage in mind for her? Does she feel a calling to the nunnery?”
Erik shook his head.
“Let me be certain I understand,” Duncan said carefully. “You have no desire for Amber yourself.”
“None.”
