Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

C hristopher’s back groaned in protest when he slowly started to wake, eyes still squeezed shut against the pale morning light pouring in through the thin gauzy curtains. They were perhaps the most offensive thing about this room, and in that moment made him reconsider complaining about his room assignment.

Still, it hadn’t been that bad when he slept in the bed. Christopher supposed that was what he got for sleeping on the floor. He knew he should sit up, but all he wanted was to pull the covers off his bed onto the floor with him and fall back to sleep.

“Mental note never to do this again,” he said more to himself than anything else. He stretched, and his back let out an ungodly pop. He winced at the sound “How are you feeling Amber?”

There was no response.

Maybe she was still sleeping. For a moment he listened for the sound of someone else breathing or snoring or shifting in her sleep.

But there was nothing.

Christopher frowned.

“Amber?” he called again, opening his eyes. He looked to where she had fallen asleep, but she was gone.

That was when he realized he was alone. Christopher’s eyes darted around in a panic.

“Amber?” he called, hoping he was wrong.

But he wasn’t. She was gone, and all that was left in her wake was a single letter sitting on the night stand.

The second he spotted it, he snatched it up. His name on the envelope was done in swirling handwriting.

He tore it open as fast as he could.

Dear Christopher,

I’m sorry for just disappearing. I’m sure it must be jarring to wake up alone after last night, but I thought it would be easier this way.

Still, I didn’t want to disappear into the night without a word. I have so much I want to say to you though I’m not entirely sure just how much of it I should say. I should also mention that it would probably be smart to burn this letter once you’ve finished reading it.

I would hate for anyone to stumble across it and jump to any unsavory conclusions about us. You and Felicity both deserve good futures, and I don’t want to jeopardize that for either of you more than I already have.

It seems I’ve already done more than enough damage to both of you. I won’t do it anymore. You have my word on that. It’s time for me to take responsibility for my situation myself.

But I’m getting distracted, and I don’t have all night to write this, so I really need to focus.

Back to the point at hand. I want to start by thanking you again for everything you’ve done for me. I don’t think anyone has taken the time to ask what I want the way you did since before my father passed. Sure, my mother has tried, but it isn’t like she could do much with Simon breathing down her neck. I haven’t gotten to pick as much as the fabric of my gown in years let alone have the choices you tried to give me. Even if I wasn’t able to make the choices I wanted, I appreciate it more than words can say. You’ve shown me a glimpse of freedom I will value and cherish for the rest of my days. Your kindness will stay in my heart for all time.

Not only that, I will never forget the time and care you showed me, especially last night. I am glad my first kiss could be with someone who seemed to care about me, and who, if I’m honest, I have grown to care about myself.

I will treasure the time we spent together.

Tell Felicity I will have the piece I made for her delivered when it’s finished. I doubt I will be able to see her for some time. Please make sure she knows she didn’t do anything wrong.

Nothing that happens now has anything to do with either of you, and I hope you both are able to accept what cards we have been dealt and move on to live the full lives you both deserve.

I hope Felicity finds a man worthy of her love and admiration.

I know you do not wish to marry, so I won’t wish the same for you, but I hope you find whatever it is you are looking for. Whatever it is that will make you happy. You deserve it more than anyone.

Thank you again for everything,

Amber

Christopher stared down at the page in shock.

This couldn’t be what he thought it was. She said she would trust him. She wouldn’t just leave, not like this.

She would have told him at least, surely.

Except in a way she did.

That was exactly what this note was.

No, he shot to his feet, shaking his head. He couldn’t accept this. He needed to do something.

And he knew just what to do.

Christopher threw on the first thing his hands touched then stormed down the hallway.

He made his way down the hall. He knew who was behind Amber’s sudden disappearance, and he wasn’t going to let him get away with it.

Finally, the door to Simon’s room came into view. Christopher squared his shoulders and prepared to confront him, but before he could, it swung open.

Simon was the first to step out, a smug look on his face, two figures making their way behind him.

“Your Grace!” he grinned. “How wonderful to see you this morning. You can be the first to hear the good news.”

Christopher paled, heart in his throat. Whatever he was about to say could not be called good news, he was sure of it. Still, he had to ask, “What good news?”

Simon pulled one of the figures from behind him with a smug look on his face. Who he saw made his blood run cold.

Horror filled every fiber of Christopher’s being when he saw it was Amber.

Her eyes were locked on the ground, face drawn and pale. She looked so unlike the person he had come to know. Gone was the fire and fight he had come to admire. Every ounce of spirit seemed to have been drained from her and given to the smug men surrounding her.

Christopher didn’t need to know what had been said to know she was trapped, mentally if not physically. Still, there was something about how they clustered to either side of her, making it clear she had no business going anywhere.

He tried to catch her eyes, but she wouldn’t even look at him. Worry filled him. He had to get her out of there. There was no time for this. They were so close to being free. To getting her out of this, and now, she was acting like it was too late.

Then Simon spoke in that smarmy voice of his, and Christoper realized just how dire the situation had become. “Indeed, I am pleased to say that my dear cousin finally saw sense.”

“Did she? About what?”

“Her future.”

“Is that right?”

“Indeed! For so long she has lamented her poor prospects, but when an advantageous match fell into her lap, she saw fit to refuse it, much to the horror of all involved.”

“I’m sure she had her reasons.”

“I’m sure she thought she did, but the musings of a naive girl can hardly be called reasons, now can they? But then, I suppose none of it matters now. We had to talk for a while, but she has finally seen reason. All we had to do was explain her options for her future. Once we did that, it was easy for her to see what the right and proper choice was. And now, everything has finally settled. My Amber is going to be marrying Lord Gillion.”

Christopher’s ears rang. He couldn’t have heard that right. It didn’t make any sense. He tried to look to Amber again, but she still continued to ignore him.

No, that wasn’t quite right. It was more than that. It was like she had been carved from stone. She stood with pin straight posture, hands folded over her skirts, eyes on the ground. She didn’t move a muscle.

She didn’t even seem to still be in her body, but she seemed to have left and gone somewhere far away. Christopher could only hope it was somewhere better.

Christopher’s mouth opened and closed a few times. He knew he needed to say something, anything.

But he just couldn’t bring himself to. All of his words stuck in his throat, weighed down by the sheer number of questions he had trapped inside him. “What?” he finally managed to grit out.

A snide grin grew across Simon’s face. “My apologies, I must not have spoken loud enough for you to hear me. You know how these hallways can redirect noise after all. Please, allow me a moment to repeat myself. Amber and Thomas here,” he motioned to the other figure, and Christopher had to fight the urge to snarl, “are engaged, but please keep the good news to yourself. I’m sure the happy couple will want to make their own announcements.”

Christopher fought to keep his voice even. He couldn’t walk away. Not like this. Not unless he knew. “Amber, is this true?”

That was when she finally met his eyes. The utter despair he saw there stunned him for a moment.

“It is,” Simon answered for her. “Now, if you excuse us?—"

Christopher cut him off. “Quiet! I didn’t ask you. I asked her.”

“Perhaps, but you have no business asking her. As her guardian, it is only proper for you to direct such questions to me instead.”

“If I wanted to speak with you, I would, but I don’t. Amber…” he tried again, hoping the desperation wasn’t creeping into his voice.

“Don’t answer that.” Thomas had the nerve to step forward. “You don’t need to talk to him. Allow your cousin and me to handle this.”

Christopher expected her to argue, to push back, but she didn’t. She just stood there, silent and unmoving.

That was when he broke.

He was aware Simon and Thomas were taking turns talking at him, but their words never reached his ears. All he could do was stand there and take it the same way she did.

Finally, Simon leaned back with a sigh. “Goodness, look at the time! We simply must begin making our way to the dining room! We don’t want to be late for breakfast after all.”

Christopher could only watch as they walked down the hall, leaving him alone. He only wished Amber would have met his eyes one last time, but as she walked by, her eyes never left the floor.

For a moment, he couldn’t bring himself to move. Shock and horror coursed through him like it was blood in his veins.

What was Amber doing?

He clutched his hands into fists. His nails bit into the flesh of his palms so hard he almost drew blood.

He couldn’t just stand there and do nothing. He needed to talk to Amber.

She could tell him why she did this, and he could do what he needed to do to help her. He wasn’t going to let them force her into this.

He would do whatever it took to set her free.

He just needed to find a way to talk to her. With a plan forming in his head, he started to make his way to breakfast.

They hadn’t announced it yet.

There was still time to get her out of this.

When he joined the others in the dining room, he scanned to table to see where Amber sat, but of course, she was trapped between her cousin and that awful man.

He grimaced to himself, eyes locked on her. He was so focused, he didn’t notice Felicity approaching until she spoke to him.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, following his gaze.

“What do you think?”

“I see,” she sighed. “Do you want me to go try and get her away from them?”

Yes, Christopher wanted to scream, but he knew it was a bad time to play that card.

“Not yet,” he forced himself to say.

“But why not?”

He shook his head. “It’s a long story, but trust me on this. I don’t think she would thank us for the interruption.”

“Then maybe you should try to stop staring?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not staring.”

“Sure, you aren’t. You are looking in her general direction with a completely normal intensity.”

He glared but followed her to sit on the other side of the table. Despite her words, Christopher couldn’t help but notice she chose a spot that left Amber in his line of sight.

“Is she all right?” Felicity asked.

He sighed. “I don’t know yet.”

“And that’s the problem?”

“I just need to talk to her.”

“And I’m sure you’ll get a chance soon. After all, I’m sure she wants to talk to you about whatever is going on too.”

He grunted, eyes still locked on her.

“Just wait until breakfast is over. Your chance will come soon enough.”

But she was wrong.

Christopher tried to catch her alone several times, but every time he got close, she slipped away.

It was starting to get frustrating. After lunch, he realized he might need some help.