Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

W hen Christopher saw Amber hurry from the room, he shot to his feet. Felicity moved to join him, but he shook his head.

“I think it would be best if I went alone,” he said.

“But why?” she pouted. “I want to help Amber.”

“I know, and you can help by keeping watch, so no one knows I went after her.”

“That’s all well and good, but I still want to go check on her. I’m worried about her.”

“I know, but we don’t want to overwhelm her.”

“I guess I see your point, but that still doesn’t explain why you are going instead of me. Don’t you think it would look better if another lady went after her?”

“Perhaps, but I can’t be sure if she would talk to you about what’s going on.”

“And you think she would talk to you?”

“I do.”

Felicity teased, “But you aren’t friends.”

“Felicity, do you really think now is the time to worry about this?” he scoffed.

“Sorry, I was just worried about Amber. You know I tend to turn to humor when I’m stressed.”

“I know, but you don’t need to worry, I’ll let her know that you’re thinking about her and do my best to fill you in on what happened as much as she’s comfortable with.”

“Please do. Now go; you need to make sure she’s all right.”

“I will,” he said then slipped away.

“Good luck.”

Christopher nodded then made his way into the hall.

Standing in the hall, he heard the sound of someone crying softly. His heart ached as he followed the sound down the hall.

Just outside the parlor, there were a few people still milling around. He glanced at either end of the hall before he decided to go back towards the parlor they had hidden away in when Amber first suggested her hairbrained plan.

Once he made it into that hall, it didn’t take him long to find her. She was just a few feet from the door, slumped on the floor with her back pressed against the wall. Her head was tucked in her knees as she wept.

“Amber,” he called softly, coming to kneel beside her. He wanted to reach out to her but pushed the urge down for the moment. “Did something happen?”

She didn’t say anything or even acknowledge that he was there. The only indication she was even aware was that her arms tightened around herself ever so slightly.

He sighed, hesitantly placing a hand on her back. “It’s all right. You don’t need to say anything if you don’t want to. Just take a second and let it out.”

She still didn’t say anything, but she leaned subtly into his hand. Christopher let out a sigh of relief at the subtle acknowledgement and began rubbing his hand up and down her back.

For a long time, neither of them said a word. The only sound came from her quiet sobs. Christopher wished he knew what more he could do to help, but for the moment, the best he could do was stay beside her and wait for her to be ready to tell him what she needed to say.

For a while, all it seemed she needed was a moment away from others with someone who cared. Still, the longer it went on, the more Christopher found himself wondering if he was doing enough to comfort her.

But it wasn’t like there was much else he could do, at least not as far as he could tell.

It didn’t seem to matter much. In time, her cries slowed before eventually stopping all together.

Finally, she lifted her red, tear-stained face from her knees and began trying to wipe her face clean. Wordlessly, he held out a handkerchief which she took with a stiff, unnatural motion. It was a bit like watching a well carved marionette puppet being handled by someone for the first time. Stilted and jerky.

For a while, they continued to sit in silence. After another few minutes, Amber finally spoke.

“Sorry about that,” she said in a voice far too calm for how tear-streaked her face still was and how red and puffy her eyes were. It was the kind of voice you only had if you were frequently interrupted and used to pretending not to cry.

“It’s all right,” he quickly moved to reassure her. “Whatever happened, somehow, I doubt you have anything to apologize for. Everyone needs some time away from everything to just let it out every now and then. From what I’ve seen, you had a stressful past few days. I don’t blame you for needing a minute or two.”

She scoffed. “I should be better at keeping my composure than this. Anyone could have walked by and seen me.”

“I don’t know. I think you managed to find a private enough spot; besides, they didn’t, and that’s what matters.”

She just shook her head. “It isn’t appropriate,” she repeated. “Simon would not have been pleased if word got back to him about my behavior. I wouldn’t want to see his reaction.”

“And you care about that, do you? Pleasing him? Keeping him happy? Because I thought part of our plan was to do something that would have caused him great upset.”

Amber said nothing, her scowling eyes locked on the wall in front of them. She crossed her arms, hugging herself close.

“Do you want to talk about it or just take a minute to get yourself under control.”

She sighed. “I don’t want to talk about it, no, but I don’t think I have much of a choice.”

“You do. I’m not here to demand answers.”

She blinked at him. “Then why are you here?”

“I knew something had upset you. I saw you run off, and I was worried about you.”

“You don’t need to worry about me anymore.”

“What do you mean? Why?”

“The plan is over. It looks like you’re off the hook.”

Christopher frowned. “Amber, what are you saying? Who is that man? What did he say to you?”

She shook her head.

Christopher studied her for a moment. “I need to ask something, but you don’t need to answer if you aren’t comfortable with it.”

She nodded.

“Is he the reason you wanted me to ruin you?”

Tears welled in her eyes.

He sighed. “Forget I asked. Like I said, you don’t need to answer. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No, it might be good for me to finally admit what’s happened.”

“I’m here to listen to whatever you want to say.”

Then they fell silent while he waited for her to speak. For a long time, she was quiet. He was starting to wonder if she was going to say anything at all when she took a deep breath.

“You’re right.”

Christopher was almost surprised to hear her voice, it had been so long. “I thought so. Do you want to talk about who he is?”

“I don’t, but I am going to.”

“You don’t have to push yourself. I understand?—”

“I have to. Just give me a moment.”

He waited.

“He is Lord Gillion, and whether I like it or not, he is the man I am going to marry.”

“But why?”

“Because my cousin owes him money. A lot of money. He can’t afford to pay it back, so I’m going to be the payment.”

Disgust filled Christopher. It was inhumane. He could hardly believe someone would do that to anyone, much less a family member. “You don’t need to worry about that. We’ll ruin you. Then he’ll leave you alone, and you’ll be free.”

She let out a wet chuckle. “It won’t make a difference. He already knows we’ve been sneaking around.”

“What? What did he say?”

“He said he didn’t care. He wanted me, and he would have me end of story.”

“No.”

Amber looked up at him, face red and puffy from crying. “I’m so sorry. You put yourself at risk to try and help me, but there was no point in the end. I’ll do what I need to do to make sure he doesn’t implicate you in any gossip.”

“No,” he shook his head. “I don’t accept this.”

She let out a bitter half laugh. “I don’t think it makes a difference.”

“It will. You’ll see. I won’t let this happen.”

“Christopher,” she looked up at him, despair in her eyes, “it’s too late. There’s nothing you or I can do.”

“We’ll see about that. I promise you, I won’t let this happen.”

“But what can you do? What can you possibly come up with that can make a difference at this point?”

“I’m going to think of a way. What does it matter what it is?”

“Please, I’m trying to make peace with this. Don’t give me false hope.”

“I’m not. Amber, I am a man of my word, and I am promising you, I will find a way to set you free. I won’t let you marry that man. Anyone who would marry a woman as payment doesn’t deserve to ever get married.” Let alone to you.

“I don’t disagree, but I still don’t understand how you can do anything to stop it.”

“You don’t need to know; just trust me.”

She hesitated. “It isn’t that I don’t want to.”

“You just don’t want to get your hopes up?”

She nodded.

“I understand, but you don’t need to worry. I won’t let you down. Everything is going to be fine. I won’t let him have you. I’ll find a way to keep you safe, I promise.”

Despite her better judgment, Amber could feel a seed of hope planting itself in her heart.

She could only hope she wasn’t making a mistake by allowing it to take root.

The pair sat there for another few minutes before Amber took a shaky breath.

“Do you think anyone will notice if I just turn in for the night?” she asked.

“I think if you want some rest, you should go get it.”

“That’s not what I asked. Do you think people will talk?”

“I think you should do what’s best for you, and everyone else can wait.”

“I’m not sure that’s smart…” she trailed off.

“Then think of it as a chance for me to prove I can handle things, and you can trust me.”

She hesitated a moment more. “All right, thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

She shot him one last look then made her way down the hallway.

Once she was gone, Christopher made his way back to Felicity. When she saw he was alone, she frowned.

“Where’s Amber?” she whispered when he was close.

“I’ll tell you later. Can you go tell her cousin that she wasn’t feeling well and went to lay down in her room? I think it would be better if it didn’t come from me.”

“Yes, of course. Is she all right?”

“Not yet, but she will be.” I’ll make sure of it.

“Then I’ll take care of it.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I might not know the situation, but I do know she needs all the help she can get.”

* * *

Amber walked back to her room, emotions still warring inside her. Since it was still so much earlier since she was expected to be there, Rose wasn’t there yet, but that was all right. She could use a moment or two to herself.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, she sighed, squeezing her eyes shut against the burning rising behind them.

It was amazing how even after how much she had cried, she still had more tears to shed.

Before she could let any of it out, Rose came in with a deep frown on her face. “I heard you weren’t feeling well. Are you all right?”

“I just needed to get away from everything,” she said, unable to lie but unable to admit what had happened.

Rose frowned. “Did something happen?”

She shook her head. “It's nothing I shouldn’t have expected.”

“So that’s a yes then. Is this about the man Earl Heathfield wants you to marry? I thought you had a plan for that. Did something go wrong?”

“Rose, please. I can’t do this right now. Can you just help take my hair down? I think I want to get ready for bed.”

“But it’s still so early.”

“So?”

“So, will your cousin be all right with that?”

Amber couldn’t help but smile through her unshed tears. “I have been assured, I don’t need to worry about him.”

“Really?” Rose grinned at her. “Did your accomplice tell you that?”

“He might have.”

“Then it sounds like all hope is not lost, regardless of how you feel right now.”

“He seems to think that. He told me that enough times after all.” She rolled her eyes.

“And?”

“And what?”

“Do you trust him?”

“Does it matter?”

“It matters to me, I bet it matters an awful lot to him, and I am willing to bet it matters to you.”

“Why would it matter to me?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me.”

Amber scowled. “You are reading way too much into this.”

“I’m sure, I am.”

Amber didn’t return to the party that night. She wasn’t sure how he did it, but it seemed like Christopher had held true to his word. No one came to find her, much to her relief.