Read The Knights of Christmas for Free Online Page B

though he was the better rider, she was lighter and drew rein in the shelter of the grove a second before he did.
    Sliding from the saddle, Kara bent to drink from the stream.
    Duncan followed more slowly, scrutinizing the area for trouble before kneeling to sample the water. It was cool and sweet as nectar.
    â€œâ€™Tis the best water in the world, is it not?” She looked fresh and unspoiled as the woods around them, her face glowing with vitality, her eyes warm as the sun dappling the leaves.
    â€œAye,” Duncan said, his voice oddly strained. He should look away, but the droplets of water on her lips held him in thrall. What would it be like to lick them away?
    She leaned forward, her mouth brushing over his before he could retreat. Cool and soft, her lips clung to his, sending liquid heat shuddering through him. This was wrong. But it felt so right. She tasted of mountain water and shy innocence, her kiss untutored yet more rousing than a courtesan’s. He couldn’t stop his mouth from molding to hers, his tongue from sliding past her lips to explore the honeyed recess within.
    Gasping, she drew back. “Why did you do that?”
    â€œYou kissed me,” Duncan snapped, angered by this unprecedented loss of control. Damn, his pulse was racing, his body throbbing with a need the like of which he’d not felt...ever.
    â€œâ€™Twas a forfeit...for losing the race.” She regarded him with wonder. “But no one’s ever kissed me like that.”
    â€œHumph.” Duncan wanted to stomp back to the horse and ride away. Anything to regain his sanity. But if he stood she’d get an even greater surprise. Shifting slightly to ease the pressure in his loins, he contemplated dumping water down his braies.
    â€œThat was most...thrilling.”
    â€œIt was a mistake of the worst sort and won’t happen again.”
    Â 
    Her smile faded. “Why?”
    â€œBecause I am promised elsewhere.”
    â€œYou have a wife?”
    A betrothed. Duncan squelched the words. Janet was not yet his and might never be if he didn’t find the rubies. These Gleanedins might hold him for ransom if they knew he was nearly contracted to the daughter of a wealthy noble. He’d rather die than have Cousin Niall buy his freedom. “Nay, I cannot afford a wife.” That was true...unless he recovered his treasure.
    Her smile was dazzling. “The man who weds me will not need wealth. I am Fergie’s heir. My husband will rule this valley.”
    â€œProviding he can keep the MacGorys at bay.”
    Her eyes moved to his sword. “You could, once you’re well.”
    â€œNay. I could not.” Having gotten his rioting body back under control, Duncan stood. “I told you—”
    â€œThat you do not fight another’s war.” She leapt to her feet, grinning again. “So I will have to make this your war. Come, we’ll ride to the pass so you can gauge our defenses.”
    â€œI am not interested in your defenses. I want my property ret—” Once again, Duncan found himself standing still while the little whirlwind rode off. He followed. Not to see their puny defenses, but to look for his rubies.
    There were fifteen small crofts on the way to the pass, Kara told him as they stopped at the first one. The farm was neat and orderly, if not very prosperous looking. A few hardy kale plants grew in the garden plot beside the hut where the family lived. The pen behind it held a pair of shaggy sheep.
    â€œThey spend the spring and summer grazing in the high pastures,” Kara explained as they dismounted before the croft. “Come autumn, the shepherds drive them down to winter over where we can watch them and feed them.”
    Duncan thought of the huge herds of cattle and sheep owned by Cousin Niall’s villeins. “You’ve land enough to support vast numbers of sheep and cattle. Why do you keep so few?”
    â€œThe MacGorys