Page 97 of Her Infuriating Duke

“Amber, don’t be stubborn. He told you to go; I told you to go; now go.”

She took a deep breath then fled the room. She could only hope Christopher wouldn’t see her go, or at least that if he did, he would respect her plea for space.

She couldn’t handle trying to explain herself at that moment.

Amber must have gotten lucky, or maybe he had taken a hint, because she made it to her room without anyone approaching her.

Only once the door was shut behind her did Amber let her emotions out.

Tears ran down her face. She rubbed roughly at her eyes, clinging to the pressure over the sorrow inside her.

It was done.

There was no way out now.

She slumped down on her bed and wept bitterly for the future she would now have little choice but to try and live through.

Amber was still sitting there when the door swung open, and Rose stepped inside.

“I heard you weren’t feeling well,” she said.

“I’m fine,” Amber mumbled, rubbing at her eyes. “Thomas and Simon just wanted me out of the way, so I didn’t ruin his plan.”

Rose raced over to sit beside her. “Amber, you’ve been crying! What happened?”

She just shook her head.

“Please, talk to me. Maybe I can help.”

Amber shook her head again. “There’s nothing anyone can do now.” She took a deep breath. “I am going to marry Lord Gillion.”

“What? But I thought?—”

“There’s nothing to be done. It’s too late now.”

“But what about your friend?”

“It’s best to leave him out of this. He has brought enough trouble on himself for me already.”

“What did he say when you told him that?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Rose studied her for a moment. “You haven’t told him, have you?”

“I’ve said what I need to say.”

“Yes, but that isn’t the same thing.”

“What are you trying to get at?”

“Have they announced the betrothal yet?”

“I don’t see what difference it makes, but no. I think the plan is to do it tonight at dinner.”

“So, it isn’t too late!” she insisted. “You could still try and do something!”

“Rose,” Amber cut her off, voice sharp. “Don’t pretend there’s a reason to have false hope. Just let it go. It’s best just to accept it.”

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