Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

A mber shut herself inside her room with a sigh.

“Long day?” Rose asked with a frown.

“You don’t know the half of it.”

“I have a feeling, I will soon.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

She shot Amber a look. “Nothing at all.”

For a moment, the pair sat in silence, but Amber was all but vibrating with unspoken words.

“You know, you can still tell me what happened,” Rose chuckled, helping her out of her gown.

“Do you really want to know?”

“Of course. You know I live for the interesting little tidbits that you are able to bring back to me.”

Amber grinned. “Truly?”

“It might be a slight exaggeration, but I do enjoy hearing about it, most of the time.”

“Then you must let me tell you all about everything that has happened. It is simply too much!” Amber lamented. “I don’t even know where to start!”

“Perhaps at the beginning.”

Amber sighed. “Do you remember when I mentioned that Simon was pushing me to marry one of his friends?”

“Of course. How could I forget that horrible man!?”

“Right?! He’s the absolute worst.”

“So, this is about him?”

She nodded. “Of course, it is! Well, him and Simon. Rose, I can’t marry him. I just can’t.”

“I can understand that. There has to be something you can do. I’m here to help you too you know.”

“I know you are, and I appreciate that, but who knows what Simon would do if you got caught helping me. I can’t risk that.”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

“But you shouldn’t have to worry about it.”

“We are friends. I’m going to worry about you.”

“And I worry about you too. That’s exactly why I can’t involve you. Honestly, I’m not even sure how much of my plan I should even tell you. I don’t want to turn you into an accomplice.”

“You can tell me. You know I won’t say a word.”

“I know you won’t. That isn’t what I’m worried about.”

“Why don’t you start by just telling me about what’s going on, and you can make a decision when the time comes?”

“I suppose that sounds like as good of a way as any to start.”

Rose smiled. “Perfect! Go on then.”

Amber recounted the way Simon introduced Thomas. She lamented how much time he spent gushing about his possessions and how good his fortune was.

“But it’s going to be all right. I have a plan that will make me seem undesirable to him. I just needed to find the right person to help.”

“I remember you implying as much the other night. I assume whoever you found is working out well?”

“He seems to be, but we haven’t quite been able to make it work just yet.”

“That isn’t surprising. You haven’t been at it that long.”

“But we also don’t have that much time.”

“I know, but nothing good will come from rushing this. You must try and be patient. Do you want to tell me what the plan is?”

Amber thought for a moment. On the one hand, it could be a great help to have someone else in their corner, but on the other, she couldn’t stop thinking about the risk she would be putting Rose at.

After a moment, she sighed, shaking her head. “I just don’t think that’s the best idea.”

“I can understand that, but do tell me if you ever change your mind.”

“I will.”

“For now, why don’t you tell me about your accomplice.”

She bit back a smile. “What about him? He’s the worst.”

“Is he?”

“Absolutely!”

“Then why are you working with him?”

“Well, it isn’t like I have much of a choice, do I?”

“I’m sure he wasn’t your only option.”

“It sure felt like it.”

“I can understand that, but still, he is helping you, isn’t he?”

“He is, but I can’t quite understand what he gets out of it.”

“Perhaps he’s trying to be nice because he can understand you are in a tough spot.”

Amber shook her head. “He wouldn’t.”

“How do you know that?”

“He just doesn’t seem like that kind of man. We don’t know each other either.”

“I don’t know. I think it seems like you know each other pretty well now.”

“But we didn’t when I asked him, so it isn’t relevant. Besides, we can’t stand each other. You should hear the way he talks to me.”

She grinned. “Why don’t you give me some examples.”

“Well, he never listens to me for one.”

“How does that work, given that you are working on this plan together? Surly that must mean he listens to you at least a little bit.”

“You’re wrong. He doesn’t. Why would he?”

Rose shot Amber a disbelieving look.

“I mean it!”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“But you were thinking it.”

“I didn’t realize that you could hear my thoughts. Is that something I need to worry about in the future?”

“Only when you think about them so loudly.”

Rose rolled her eyes. “You still haven’t given me any examples.”

Amber looked away. “It’s hard without telling you what we’re trying to do.”

“Why are you so worried about me knowing? I don’t think I’ve ever known you to be so cautious.”

“This plan, its risky. Incredibly risky. It isn’t safe to involve you.”

“If it’s so risky, should you be doing it?”

“Probably not, but it isn’t like I have much of a choice.”

Rose gave her shoulder a sympathetic squeeze.

“I think I need to try and get some sleep.”

“Of course. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Alone in her room, Amber fell back on her bed with a sigh.

Only a few rooms away, Christopher laid back on his own bed, mind swirling with thoughts that had nowhere to go.

If he went forward with Amber’s plan, there would be consequences. Nothing that mattered much for himself, of course.

So no respectable woman would be willing to marry him?

That suited him just fine.

If anything, it might be nice to have all of those mothers pushing their daughters off his back.

But his future wasn’t the only one on the line.

Felicity.

This would be so much easier if she were already married. Then he wouldn’t feel so torn.

He shook his head. He didn’t know why he cared so much; Amber was just some girl he’d met a few days ago.

So why couldn’t he stop picturing her with that man?

The way he treated her made Christopher feel sick just thinking about it.

It wasn’t rational. It didn’t make any sense, but he knew he couldn’t let her marry him.

He would do whatever it took to help her find a way out of this, even though he knew it was a foolish decision.

The next morning, Felicity approached Amber when she saw the other woman by herself for a moment.

“Can we talk for a moment?” she asked.

“Of course,” Amber frowned. “Is everything all right?”

“I hope so. Can we take a turn around the room.”

“Of course.”

Amber followed her around the edge of the room, staying close enough that their conversations would be as private as it could be given their location.

“Was there something you wanted to talk about?” Amber asked after a moment.

“There is, but I don’t know how to bring it up,” she sighed.

“That sounds ominous!”

“It’s nothing like that. You don’t need to worry.”

“Then perhaps it would be best simply to say whatever it is. Blunt is better than unspoken.”

“I suppose that is a good point.” Felicity hesitated a moment more. “Does it bother you how my brother speaks to you? I can ask him to tone it down if you need me to.”

Amber smiled. “Thank you, it’s incredibly kind of you to offer, but you don’t need to.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. It has actually been rather nice.”

“Nice?!” Felicity studied her with a strange look on her face. “Are you saying you have been enjoying the… banter between the two of you?”

“I know it might sound strange, but it’s true. It can be rather fun.”

A slow grin began to spread across Felicity’s face. “I must admit, I’m rather glad to hear that. My brother, he doesn’t make friends easily.”

“I don’t know that he would call us friends.”

“Why would you think that? I’ve seen him with you,” Felicity said as though that explained everything.

“Yes, you have. That is part of why I am so confused.”

Amber expected an explanation, but Felicity just laughed.

When it became clear she wasn’t going to say more, Amber spoke again. “As I said, you have seen him with me.”

“Yes, I have, and I have never seen him so relaxed with anyone before.”

“Relaxed? With me?”

“Yes, like I said, I’ve never seen it before, at least, not with a lady. Don’t tell him I told you this, but he’s always vowed never to get close to a woman.”

“Yes, he mentioned something about that once or twice, but he would never tell me or even hint at why.”

“I’m not surprised; technically, he’s never even told me why.”

“But you do know?” Amber asked, trying to keep the curiosity out of her voice.

“I’m pretty sure I do. He thinks he’s subtle, but it isn’t that hard to put the pieces together.”

Amber wanted to ask. She really wanted to ask, but she held herself back. “I see.”

Felicity chuckled. “I’m surprised you haven’t asked.”

“It isn’t my place to ask.”

Felicity tilted her head to the side. “I think you should know, we aren’t close to our mother.”

“Your mother? I don’t believe I’ve ever met her.”

“Nor would you. She retired to the countryside after our father’s death. Christopher hasn’t seen her since the funeral. Do you understand?”

“I don’t know.”

“It is very important that you do. Whatever is going on between the two of you, it's going to be affected by this.”

Amber stiffened. “I’m not sure what you’re implying, but there is nothing of the sort between Christopher and me.”

Felicity grinned. “You say you aren’t close, and yet you used his first name.”

“Yes, well, you must have used it earlier, so it just slipped out,” she said, looking away, a deep flush working its way onto her face.

“Of course. That must be it.”

“It is.”

“Regardless, just remember what I told you. If you ever wonder why he is the way he is, think of her.”

“But you won’t tell me what happened beyond that?”

“No, at least not yet. Perhaps if I am right in my suspicions, I will say more as time goes on, but generally, I think this is something that would be better coming from him.”

“I see.”

“I don’t think you do, but maybe someday you will.”

The pair fell silent for a moment, Felicity’s words racing through Amber’s head so fast it hurt when they smacked against the inside of her head.

“Are you all right?” Felicity asked with a frown on her face.

“Of course, I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps because of what we were discussing.”

“It didn’t bother me. I’m all right.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I am.”

“I just hope I didn’t warn you off of my brother. That was never my intention.”

“You didn’t,” Amber assured. “I’m glad you told me.”

“Still…” Felicity trailed off, “you just seem like something is on your mind.”

Amber gave a stiff smile.

“You can talk to me, you know. I want to be friends, and friends help each other or at least listen to each other’s problems if there’s nothing else to be done.”

“And I appreciate that, but everything is fine. Really.”

“But you’d tell me if you weren’t?”

“Of course, and you would do the same?”

“I would.” Felicity was quiet for a moment before she continued. “I want us to be close and to have a good relationship.”

“I want us to be friends too, but I’m afraid you are going to be disappointed if I understand what you are implying. As I said, there’s nothing of the sort going on.”

“I know. You told me.” But Felicity’s smile made clear she didn’t quite believe that.

Amber wanted to argue more, but it was clear she wasn’t going to get anywhere. “Have you been enjoying your time here?”

“Of course! I always do when I get a chance to go out. If I’m honest, I much prefer smaller gatherings like this to the large balls we often attend. It has been a wonderful change of pace.”

“I’m glad. I never asked. Who do you know here?”

“Quite a few people actually, but it was Mary who invited us. She said she thought you might appreciate having someone around who’s the same age actually.”

“Did she? I didn’t know that.”

“I don’t think she wanted you to, so please don’t mention that I said anything.”

“You don’t need to worry. Anything you say to me will always be in confidence unless otherwise stated.”

“I appreciate that. As I’m sure you know, some people have no idea when to keep something to themselves.”

The pair continued their walk in silence for a bit. Amber couldn’t help the way her mind stuck on what Felicity had been implying.

It didn’t make any sense. Why would she think that?

I wonder if I should talk to Christopher about it, she thought to herself.

But as quickly as she had the thought, she shook it from her head.

What am I even thinking? Of course he isn’t thinking like that. That would be ridiculous. Besides, it isn’t like I would even want him to feel that way. Christopher is the worst. I could never spend my life with someone like him. Felicity must just be seeing what she wants to see.

Yes. that was it.

“Um, Amber?” Felicity snapped her from her thoughts. “Are you sure you are all right?”

“Of course, sorry. I simply got lost in my own thoughts for a moment.”

“What were you thinking about?”

“Nothing!”

“Nothing,” Felicity grinned. “Then why were you blushing?”

“What?! I wasn’t!”

“You were! You can tell me you know. We are friends. I would tell you if someone was on my mind.

“No one is on my mind.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“I am. Why don’t we go into the parlor? I can help you with your embroidery more if you like.”

“That would be lovely. Thank you.”

She nodded, and the pair did just that.

They spent most of the afternoon embroidering.

Amber laughed as Felicity made another mistake. “Almost,” she said, helping her to fix it.

“I’m never going to get this right, am I?” she sighed.

“You can. You just need to slow down.”

“If I go any slower, I’m never going to be sitting still.”

“Embroidery is a slow art.”

“It doesn’t look like it goes this slow when you do it.”

“That is because I’ve been doing it for a long time. It’s easier for me to go faster without sacrificing quality, but it takes a while to get there.”

“How long!?”

“That depends on how much work you put in. The more you do it, the better you will get.”

“I’ve been doing it for years, and I have yet to get any better.”

“Only because you haven’t been trying. It’s more than just going through the motions. You have to savor the craft.”

Felicity shook her head in disbelief. “How can you make something so mundane and soul crushing sound like a wonderful cake.”

“Because I genuinely enjoy it.”

“But I want to enjoy it too,” Felicity whined. “It’s just so slow and boring. I know it isn’t for you, but it is for me.”

“Believe it or not, I do understand.”

“You do?”

“I do. When I first started, I hated it. I was constantly frustrated and hated every second of it.”

“So what changed?”

“I developed enough skill to actually bring my visions to life. As soon as that happened, it was hard to bring myself to do much of anything else.”

“That’s incredible!” Felicity breathed. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way about anything before.”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure someday you will. Even if it isn’t embroidery. When I started learning it, it was because I had a vision to work towards. I can understand why it would be hard to throw yourself into it if you don’t have that.”

“It is,” Felicity sighed, setting her work aside and slumping back on the sofa.

“Is there anything else you have always wanted to try?”

“I don’t know. I suppose I just wish I had a hobby to talk about like other people do, but my only real hobby is talking to people which hardly counts.”

“I don’t know. I think it can count.”

“I don’t know that anyone would agree with you,” Felicity sighed.

“Does it make you happy?”

“Yes.”

“Then I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you. As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.”

Felicity smiled. “I like the way you think.”

Amber chuckled. “Glad to be of service.”