Page 81 of Her Infuriating Duke

“Why would it matter to me?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me.”

Amber scowled. “You are reading way too much into this.”

“I’m sure, I am.”

Amber didn’t return to the party that night. She wasn’t sure how he did it, but it seemed like Christopher had held true to his word. No one came to find her, much to her relief.

CHAPTER14

That night, Amber tossed and turned long after Rose left her alone to try and sleep. Despite the mental and emotional exhaustion that she felt deep in her bones, rest refused to come. It was hard to rest with her mind churning like a stormy sea.

All she could do was lay there, staring at the ceiling of her temporary room.

Amber wanted nothing more than to pack a bag and slip off into the night. She wouldn’t need to get far. Just to the stage coach station. She could leave London for another city. Maybe even leave England altogether. It wouldn’t be that hard to find a ship she could travel on.

Amber was reasonably confident she could make a living off of her embroidery. Maybe she could find a local seamstress to work with.

It was far too easy to slip out during the night. She hopped on a stage coach. When she first got on, she wasn’t sure where she was planning on going.

In the end she made her way to a small port town and climbed aboard a passenger’s ship bound for Ireland.

She got off in Belfast. The place reminded her of London in some ways. It was filled with people for one. So many people were fashionable, and couples walked the streets hand in hand.

As Amber looked around, she couldn’t help but think it seemed like the kind of place she could build a life to call her own. She walked along the streets until she spotted a shop front that caught her eye. It was a pale blue facade with elegant gowns displayed in the windows.

Amber took a deep breath then pushed inside. It wasn’t a big shop, but it was clearly well maintained and looked after. Everything about it was neat, tidy, and gave the place a generally welcoming atmosphere.

“Good afternoon!” she called to the still room, taking in the small warm place with a smile on her face. She couldn’t help but admire the gowns and fabric on display, but despite how welcoming everything looked, no one had welcomed her yet. “Is anyone here?”

“Coming, coming, give me just a moment!” a cheery voice called from somewhere out of sight.

A few seconds later, a short older woman popped out with a bright smile on her small round face. “Good afternoon, how can I help you today, Miss? Were you in the market for a new gown? Some fabric perhaps?”

“Actually…” Amber took a deep breath, tamping down her nerves as best she could. She didn’t know why she was so nervous. This was nothing compared to making her daring escape. “I was hoping I could help you.”

“Oh?” the woman looked intrigued, tilting her head to the side. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense. Tell me, I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

“I’ve just moved to the area, and I’m looking for work.”

“Are you a seamstress? If you are, I’m afraid I’m not sure if I have enough work to offer you full time employment.”

“No,” Amber shook her head, “as much as I would love to be, I have never had the opportunity to learn.”

“Is that so?” the woman studied Amber. “You look young enough. Are you looking for an apprenticeship?”

“I wouldn’t say no to one, but that isn’t why I’m here either.”

“Go on and tell me then! Don’t keep me in suspense!”

“I may not be a tailor, but I am not fully without skills,” she said, reaching into her bag to pull out a sample of her work. “You see, I do embroidery.”

“May I see?”

“Of course.” She handed a piece of her work over for the woman to inspect.

She hummed, looking it over. “I think I could sell something like this. Do you know where you’re staying yet?”

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