Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

C hristopher paced his borrowed room. There wasn’t much space for it, but he was making it work.

It was a small neutral space clearly made to be used by whoever was staying there—nothing more than a standard guest room.

A pettier Duke would have been offended by the offered space; fortunately for all involved, he was not a petty man.

Christopher understood it was just the natural consequence of waiting too long to reply to an invitation. If he was honest, he had put it off because he was hoping Felicity would change her mind and not want to come.

Now, he had to admit, he was glad she insisted on it though even now, he wasn’t quite sure why she had.

But none of that mattered at that moment. All that he needed to do was think. He needed to figure something out. They were running out of time. No matter what, he couldn’t let Amber marry that dreadful man.

The problem was, he could only think of one way to stop it, and the very thought made his heart pound. Could he really do something like that? It would work after all. Simon would have no way to argue against his plan and all he had to do was?—

Christopher shook his head, cutting the thought off before it could truly take root.

He couldn’t do that.

It was a terrible idea.

He couldn’t even be sure if she would agree to?—

A soft knock at the door cut off his thoughts.

Christopher frowned. Who could be at his door at this hour?

When he opened it, his heart almost stopped. Amber was standing in front of him, eyes wide and filled with tears, a note clenched in her shaking hand.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t know where else to go.”

He glanced around then ushered her in. “Come inside; you can tell me what happened.”

Amber nodded, stepping in the room.

Christopher glanced back around the hall before shutting the door and turning his attention back to Amber.

She was just standing in the middle of the room, eyes darting around lost. Her eyes were red from crying. She was shaking like a leaf.

He came over to her. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head.

“Do you want to tell me what happened?”

She shook her head again.

“That’s all right. What can I do?”

She shook her head a third time. “I don’t want to talk about it, but I think I have to.”

“Why, Amber? What happened? You’re starting to worry me.”

“I’m sorry.” She turned away. “Maybe I shouldn’t be here.”

“I didn’t say that. Whatever happened, I’m glad you came.”

He stood there, waiting for her next move.

After what felt like an eternity, she took a deep breath and held out the paper clutched in her shaking hand. “Perhaps it would be better if you simply read for yourself.”

He frowned. “What is it?”

She didn’t answer, simply shaking her head. “Just read it for yourself.”

He hesitated a moment more, shooting her another look before turning his attention to the paper.

What he saw there filled him with rage. Still, he knew he couldn’t let her see it. She would take it the wrong way. She wouldn’t understand. Most of all, he didn’t want her to think she was the problem.

He took a deep breath. “Do you have any idea who could have sent this?”

She grimaced “I think we both know the answer to that. It had to be either Simon or Thomas.”

“I think so too, but which of them do you think did it?”

“Does it matter?”

“I guess not.”

But that wasn’t quite true. As Christopher stood there, thoughts swirling like a storm, he wished he knew who he needed to direct his anger at.

If he knew who thought they could get away with pulling a stunt like this, then maybe he could talk some sense into whoever it was.

Without knowing who did it, there was only one way Christopher could think of to stop this.

To his surprise, he was more than willing to do that. There was no hesitation in him as he turned to her.

“You don’t need to worry. I won’t let this happen.”

Amber let out a sound of disbelief, shaking her head. “It’s too late. I don’t think there’s anything you can do.”

Christopher stepped forward, taking her hands. “I asked you earlier to trust me. When I did, I told you I wouldn’t let your cousin marry you off to that man. This note is just that. Nothing but a note. It doesn’t change anything.”

“How can you say that? Didn’t you read it?”

“I did. You watched me. That’s why I know I can stop this.”

“But how?”

He shook his head. “Just trust me.”

She hesitated. “But how?”

He just smiled. “I can’t tell you yet. Just know, it will work.”

“How can you be so confident?”

He took a step towards her. “Because I won’t let him have you.”

“I don’t understand why you care so much.”

He sighed. “Do you really not know?”

“Know what?”

Then he stepped forward, closing the last of the distance between them. Finally, their lips met.

Amber gasped against him. For a moment, she was too stunned to react.

Then she melted against him, hands coming to clutch at his shirt.

His arms wrapped around her in a protective embrace.

Tears burned her eyes when he pulled away. This was it. This was what she was going to have to give up.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered, gentle hand wiping away her tears. “I won’t let anything happen. I promise I’ll find a way to protect you. Do you trust me?”

She hesitated for a moment before saying, “I want to.”

“And I want you to be able to. Is there anything I can do to make you feel like you can?”

She hesitated. “I- I don’t know.”

“Well, I want to try.”

Amber looked away then took a deep breath. “I think I just want to take my mind off of what happens next for a little while.”

“I think I can do that. I’d offer you a place to sit down, but there’s only the bed.”

“That’s all right,” she said before sinking to the floor. “I’m sure we can find a way to be plenty comfortable.”

He smiled. “As long as you’re happy.”

A sad smile played on her lips. “I don’t think my happiness has ever been a concern before.”

“Well, it should be.”

Amber fell silent, eyes staring straight ahead.

“Thank you,” she finally said.

He shook his head. “Don’t thank me yet. There will be time for that tomorrow once everything is taken care of.”

“You don’t even know what I’m thanking you for.”

“It doesn’t matter. My answer would be the same.”

Amber couldn’t help but smile, shaking her head. “You don’t need to do all this. You’ve done enough, put yourself at risk enough.”

“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that.”

“Please, if this is the last time we get to talk?—”

“It won’t be.”

“But if it is, I want you to know, I appreciate everything you’ve done to try and help me, even if it doesn’t work.”

“It will.”

She looked away. “I suppose your confidence is reassuring.”

Christopher sighed, shaking his head. “My apologies, you wanted to get your mind off of this, and what do we end up talking about?”

“Don’t be sorry. I was the one who brought it up. I don’t want to talk about it, but it feels like it’s all that I can think about.”

Christopher turned to meet her eyes. “Tell me about your current embroidery project.”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “Why? You don’t want to hear about that.”

“Why not? Felicity has told me all about how passionate you are about it. How could I not want to hear about it?”

“Because it’s just a silly little hobby.”

“I haven’t seen your work, but to hear Felicity say it, it truly is art.”

“It’s nothing that impressive.”

“Tell me about it anyway.”

Amber hesitated before a smile crossed her face. “Sure, why not. What do you want to know?”

“Why don’t you start by telling me about the latest project you’re working on.”

“I just started working on something for Felicity.”

He groaned. “You don’t need to make something for her just because she asked.”

“I know, but I wanted to.”

“All right, what are you making her?”

“I know I want to make her a reticule, but I haven’t nailed down the exact design yet.”

“What ideas do you have so far?”

“Normally I would do something a bit more eccentric, perhaps a fish.”

“But?”

“But I wasn’t sure if she would want such an unusual design.”

He shook his head. “You don’t need to worry about that.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because she wouldn’t have asked you if she didn’t want your design. Do what you want, and she’ll love it.”

“You’re sure?”

“Trust me, I know my sister.”

Amber smiled. “Then I think I’ll go with a hummingbird, Felicity has always reminded me a bit of a hummingbird.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because of the way she flutters around the room.”

He scoffed. “I’ve seen her move, and I don’t know if I would call it fluttering.”

“No? Then what would you call it?”

“Running, sprinting, she’s a bit like a hyperactive child.”

“She is a little, isn’t she?”

“You should see her when she’s at home. She’s even worse of you can believe it.”

“I have to be honest, I’m having a hard time picturing that.”

“Then lucky you.”

“Is it really that bad?”

“If she wanted to, I’m pretty sure she would be able to chase a squirrel and catch it with her bare hands.”

“That would be impressive to see.”

“It would be disturbing is what it would be. Do you think she would chase it while standing up right or perhaps drop to all four and chase it like a dog?”

“That’s horrible!” Amber chided, but the giggles she couldn’t hold back gave her away.

“Maybe, but if it is, then you’re horrible too.”

“How? I’m not the one who said it!”

“Perhaps not, but you did laugh.”

“I did not!”

“You did! I heard you.”

“I don’t know what you heard, but it couldn’t possibly have been that! I would never laugh about something like that.”

“Keep telling yourself that. I know what I heard.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she insisted, crossing her arms.

“Of course not.”

Her pout deepened, but Christopher could see the laugh that was threatening to bubble out.

He couldn’t help but smile. He bumped their shoulders together, and she blushed.

Christopher found himself savoring the sight. He hesitated.

“What is it?” Amber asked.

“Nothing, I was just looking at you.”

“Why?”

“Why do you think?”

“I don’t know, or I wouldn’t have asked.”

“Because I want to.”

“That isn’t really an answer.”

“Sure, it is.”

“No it's not.”

“Why not?”

“Because it doesn’t tell me why you want to.”

“Because you didn’t ask that.”

“All right, fine, I’ll ask. Why do you want to?”

“Because you’re beautiful.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“No,” She shook her head. “I don’t think I did.”

“Well, if you didn’t, then I’m not going to repeat myself,” he sighed, turning to face away from her.

“Why not?”

He shrugged. “I don’t want to. If you didn’t hear, then it’s your problem.”

“Fine, keep your secrets.”

“I will.”

She pouted for a few more moments before trying to change the subject. “Aside from everything going on, have you enjoyed your time here so far?”

He chuckled. “I can’t say I have gotten up to much else. Our plan has been rather all consuming.”

A look of guilt flashed across her face.

“But I have to be honest, scheming with you has been the most fun I have had in a long time.”

“Really?”

“Is that so surprising?”

“I suppose not. It only would be if you have an extremely small social circle and no hobbies.”

“Which fits exactly with your impression of me?”

Amber chuckled. “Only a bit.”

“Then I don’t know why you would find it surprising.”

“It would seem you are right. I don’t know why I did either.”

Christopher chuckled, and the pair shared a look.

“Regardless of how you feel about it, thank you for helping me. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this party if it hadn’t been for you.”

“Don’t thank me. As strange as it might be, I really was happy to help.”

From there, things moved to lighter topics. The pair sat there, talking and gradually moving closer and closer until Amber finally fell asleep against his shoulder.

The moment it happened, Christopher drew in a sharp breath.

He couldn’t help but feel touched at the trust and vulnerability she was giving him through this one simple, seemingly involuntary act.

It only made him surer of his conviction.

He knew what he needed to do next. All that was left was to wait until morning then he could set her free.