Chapter 11

"So, it seems the Arl's men are delayed and won't be reaching us until tomorrow. Father is setting Fergus out this evening with our men and he will follow tomorrow with the Arl. Will you be remaining as well?" Rowan finally spoke, locating her favorite spot in the garden. The open clearing provided enough space to relax but the surrounding hedges and rose bushes provided more than enough privacy as well. Casually walking over into the clearing she paused, and turned to face Duncan.

"Hrmm, well I suppose Ser Gilmore will not depart until the Teyrn has left, so I shall have to remain as well." Duncan eyed the clearing and came to much the same conclusion Rowan had. Lots of space, lots of privacy. Growing somewhat uncomfortable, he decided it was best to get this over with and get out of here before he lost his resolve. Before rowan could continue the conversation, Duncan spoke.

"My lady, earlier, when you were in the courtyard with Ser Gilmore," he began, eyes on his feet. Before he could continue, however, Rowan broke in.

"Oh you were there as well?" she inquired before quickly adding, "You know, I caught Arl Howe spying on me from his chamber windows. I've never liked the man, he's always made my skin crawl. Oh! But I'm sorry, I interrupted."

Howe, spying on her? She hadn't seen him. She thought she'd saw Howe! Duncan realized. He felt a surge of relief, knowing she had no idea it had been him watching her.

"Duncan?" Rowan asked, "What were you saying?"

"Oh, emm, I was simply going to tell you that, umm, well, you are a very skilled fighter," Duncan lied. He figured there was no harm in letting her believe it had been Howe. She hated the man anyway, and tomorrow they would all be off and the whole incident would be forgotten.

"Really? You think so?" Rowan beamed.

"Indeed, my lady, I was quite impressed."

Rowan's mind was in over drive. She had been trying to figure out a way to get Duncan alone. Accomplished. Now, it seemed he had been chasing her around the castle for the sole purpose of telling her she was a good fighter. She couldn't help but hope Duncan had been impressed by more than just her fighting skills. Rounding up all her courage, Rowan decided it was now or never.

Moving towards Duncan, who was face to face with her, she edged her way forward. Duncan, unsure what was going on, began to edge back. As his back hit the trunk of a tree, Rowan reached her hand towards his face.

"Rowan.." Duncan whispered, his breath caught in his chest at her sudden closeness.

Reaching past Duncan's head, Rowan grabbed a blossom off a low-hanging branch and twirled it in her fingers.

"I love these," she smiled, sticking the flower in her hair. Inwardly, she grinned, her courage growing by the minute. Duncan had definitely reacted. His dark skin now a tinge more red than before.

Duncan stared at the flower in her hair, unable to make his body move. The delicate white blossom was absolutely beautiful against her dark red hair. Even clad in her leather armor, Rowan was one of the most beautiful women Duncan had ever set eyes on. While the Warden in him begged him to remember the blight and what was at stake, to leave now, the man in him yearned to reach out and take hold of the beautiful woman before him.

Closing his eyes, he renewed his resolve.

"My lady, it is getting late. We should return before anyone worries," he said. "I'm sure you are eager for rest,". He stood straight, lifting his back off the tree, which only brought him closer to Rowan, who seemed intent on staying right where she was. Rowan wasn't going to make this easy.

Stretching her back out and raising her arms above her head, Rowan feigned a yawn. She knew the action had no doubt brought Duncan's gaze to her chest. She smiled innocently.

"It is not so late yet, Ser Knight" Rowan spoke softly, closing the little gap left between them. Her head now just under Duncan's, she looked up into his dark eyes, "and you are not due to leave until the morrow. We have time yet". Inhaling deeply, she found Duncan's musky scent intoxicating. He was absolutely beautiful, and she had to have him.

She closed her eyes and breathed him in, letting her hands find his chest as he once again collapsed against the tree.

Duncan's head was reeling. She was beautiful, sexy, young, and she wanted him. Pinning him against the tree again, she leaned all her weight against him as her hands ran up his chest and over his shoulders. Duncan could barely breathe.

"Please", he finally managed, "My Lady…". A slight moan escaped him as Rowan's lips trailed across his neck.

"Rowan.." he begged again, taking her hands in his.

"Duncan," she whispered in his ear nipping gently at his skin. "We are alone here, I promise".

The feel of her body pressed against his was more than Duncan could handle. He knew if he did not end this now, he would lose all control.

Gathering his strength, Duncan managed to pry Rowan off enough that he could once again stand straight. Before Rowan could counter, he turned her around so her back was now on the tree. Holding her hands by the wrists, Duncan held her at bay.

"Rowan, please, listen," he pleaded. "This is not proper. I am a soldier, you are a noble. I have years on you! We cannot do this.."

Undeterred, Rowan grinned mischievously.

"You are a man, I am a woman. Is that not all that matters?" Releasing her hands from Duncan's grip, she began to undo the straps on her armor. "It is my business who I bed. Noble, soldier, farmer, servant, it is for no one to judge but myself. Today, I want you. Do you not want me?" She grinned wickedly at Duncan, slipping her armor over her head.

Before she could remove the body armor, Duncan had once again taken hold of her hands and stopped her. Fighting to suppress his yearnings, growing by the second, he turned a cold gaze on her.

"No, my lady. I am sorry." He said, forcing himself to remain facing her.

Rowan froze. Hurt, confusion, anger, sadness, all seemed to flash in her eyes as she tried desperately to understand what was going on. Wrenching her hands from Duncan's grip, she pressed her armor to her body and took a step back.

"You... do not want me?" She asked, almost afraid.

Duncan stood tall, hands at his side.

"No."

"But you… you were enjoying that… no?" She almost begged.

"I did not want to hurt your feelings. That is all." Cold, blank eyes stared at Rowan.

"You are a pig! Disgusting… PIG!". Clutching her loose armor to her, Rowan ran out of the garden.

Duncan sank to the floor, burying his head in his hands.

I did the right thing, he thought, she will forget this all in a few days and be glad I am gone. Just the thought of her being glad that he was gone brought a twinge of sadness to him.

Duncan knew he would be kicking himself for days if not weeks for what had just happened. Whether it was because he had been crazy enough to turn her down at all, or that he had been such a brute about it, he wasn't sure yet. You had no choice, you lout, he told himself. That should teach you to keep your mind in the right place.

Collecting himself, he made his way to his chambers, careful to avoid anyone along the way. He needed to be alone, he needed to get out this castle. Tomorrow.