Page 28 of Her Infuriating Duke

Rose shot her a look.

Amber huffed, crossing her arms. “Do you have my ensemble for the day picked out already?”

“Of course, I do. I know what’s expected in the mornings by this point, but there’s no need to rush this morning, especially after the night you had. Give yourself a moment to breathe.”

Amber shook her head, shoving out of bed and onto her feet. “I don’t need a moment to breathe. Also, ask if we can have other bedding brought in. this one was far too hot. I just need to get on with my day, so can we just get on with it?”

Rose sighed. “If you’re sure that’s what you want.” She set a breakfast tray in front of Amber, motioning for her to sit back down. “Why don’t you get started eating while I show you what I picked out for you to wear today.”

“Thank you.” Amber let out an exaggerated groan, flopping back into her spot but not before shoving the ruined blankets out of the way. “Glad to see you know how to do your job.”

Rose rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic. Just eat up.”

Amber ate her breakfast while Rose went to fetch her clothes, but Amber found she didn’t have much of an appetite, mostly just picking at the toast more than anything else.

It wasn’t long before Rose returned with yet another drab black gown. At least this one had a small bit of her embroidery along the hem. It wasn’t anything too special, just a few small fish swimming along the edge done in deep reds and golds.

The look was finished off with a ruby hair pin her mother had given her for her birthday last year. It was a small simple thing, but it was the only piece of jewelry she put on for the day.

“There you are.” Rose sat back, looking her over. “Does your hair feel secure?”

“It’s perfect, thank you.”

“Very good. I’ll see you when you come to change for dinner.”

“Unless Simon sends me back to my room early,” Amber grumbled before making her way from the room.

As she went, she grabbed one of her projects to work on and made her way back to the sitting room. She took up residency on a small deep blue sofa near a large window. It was in the corner. Amber preferred to be in the corner when applicable. It allowed her to keep an eye on the whole room, and by extension Simon and the wretched man he had decided to throw at her, so that she might be able to make an escape if needed.

It wasn’t long before Felicity approached her, her brother being tugged along behind her whether he wanted to be there or not.

“Good morning, Amber!” she greeted, coming to sit beside her. “Did you sleep well?”

She hesitated. “As well as can be expected.”

“I can understand that. I never sleep well when we have to stay over at someone else’s house. It’s never the same when you have to sleep in a strange bed, is it?”

Amber bit back her words. She wasn’t sure what to say without going into her dreams, and she did not want to do that. “Thank you for your concern.”

“There’s no need to be so formal. I told you, we’re friends.”

“Yes,” Amber smiled. “I suppose we are.”

“Well, now that you have a friend to keep you company, I will be going,” Christopher said as he turned away.

But Felicity wouldn’t let him go that easily. “Oh, come now, you can’t abandon us so soon. Besides, Amber might have something to show us!”

Amber blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re embroidery! Were you able to find any?”

“A few pieces, yes, but I doubt His Grace wants to see them.”

Felicity crossed her arms. “He might not, but I do, so show me, please!”

Amber hesitated then pulled out a basket, sliding it over to her. “I didn’t bring much with me.”

“That’s all right! I’m happy to see whatever you want to show me!”

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