Page 79 of Her Infuriating Duke

“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.

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