Page 49 of Her Infuriating Duke

“Where did you go earlier?” Thomas asked.

“What?” Amber asked.

“Earlier, I told you to wait for me while I grabbed you something to drink. When I came back, you were gone.”

“My apologies, only a moment after you left, a girl I’d promised to help improve her embroidery came over. I wanted to find and tell you, but you were lost in the crowd.”

“Next time, tell her you need to wait for me. Do you understand?”

She forced herself to nod.

The second the meal ended, she made her escape.

As she was fleeing, she ran into Christoper.

“Where are you off to?” he asked.

“Does it matter?” She glanced back. Thomas wasn’t far, and he was looking for her.

He followed her gaze. “Perhaps we should take this conversation elsewhere.”

“If you wouldn’t mind, that would be great.”

She followed him through the crowded room to one of the other parlors. They made several turns until they lost Thomas in the crowd.

Only when she was sure he wouldn’t be able to find them did she let out a sigh of relief. “You didn’t need to do that.”

“Do what?” he shrugged. “All I did was walk with you into another room. Anything else that was happening had nothing to do with me. I didn’t help you do anything.”

She hesitated for a moment. “But?—”

“But nothing. Trust me on this.”

She hesitated.

“If you’re that concerned, we can meet up sometime tomorrow to discuss better boundaries when we are in public and sort out the details of the plan, but for now, what could possibly be wrong with us talking in a crowded room?”

Then she nodded, a bright smile on her face. “All right, so then what are you up to over here?”

“I think I want to check on my sister. I don’t like her being on her own here. No offense, but I don’t know anyone.”

“That’s understandable. You’re a good big brother to be so worried about her.”

He hummed. “It’s just what I’m supposed to do. I know how she can be, and I don’t want her to run wild because she thinks I’m not looking.”

Amber laughed. “Then you should find her fast.”

“I intend to.” Then he hesitated, glancing around. “Would you like to join me?”

She frowned. “Now?”

“No, next week.”

“But why?” Her eyes widened. “Are you saying we should…” She gave him a pointed look.

“No, I was just asking if you wanted to join us, but if you don’t, then you can simply say as much.”

“No, I didn’t—I mean, I’d love to join you.”

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