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PROLOGUE

“He’s here!” Grace Parr, Amber’s mother exclaimed from where she stood in her black mourning gown, peeking out from behind the white gauzy curtains of the sitting room.

Amber didn’t look up from the embroidery she was working on. It wasn’t anything too fancy this time. Just a new handkerchief with a chain of branches going around the edge. Every few inches, there was a small brightly colored bird perching on them. On one of the corners, there was a small gap in the branches where a larger bird was flying away. It was far more interesting than anything her mother might have to say about the still unknown cousin. “I still don’t see why he needs to come at all,” she grumbled, stabbing the needle through with more force than necessary. “I still think we should be able to handle things on our own. You’ve handled most of Father’s affairs for years now. I don’t see why that has to change now.”

Grace sighed, coming to sit beside her. “My sweet child, we’ve been over this. You know why.”

She pouted. “It isn’t fair!”

“I know, my dear. It’s my fault.”

“No!” Amber cut her off. “It isn’t your fault, and I would never blame you.”

“But it is. Your father and I were supposed to protect you, but we weren’t able to give you any siblings, much less the brother you needed to look after you.”

“And you shouldn’t have had to.”

“But the reality is, we did. You can disagree with the law all you want, but it doesn’t change the situation.” She sighed. “We didn’t give you the brother we needed to, and now, the estate has to go to your cousin. I am sorry.”

“I’ve already told you, you have nothing to apologize for. You didn’t make the law.”

“I know, I just wish there was something we could have done.” She sat back with a sigh. “But perhaps it will be for the best.”

Amber scowled. “How could it possibly be for the best? What can he bring to the table that we don’t already have?”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, Amber, but you’ve always been a bit of a home body and a wall flower.”

“You say that like it’s a problem.”

“I didn’t mean to it that way,” Grace laughed. “I was simply suggesting he might be able to help you with that.”

“How?” Amber scoffed. “Not that I want his help.”

“Of course not.” Her mother rolled her eyes. “But if you did want his help, then you must admit, he’s close in age to you. Not only that, but he’s known to be a rather social person. He’s constantly going places and was frequently invited to parties even before he got his title.”

“You mean before he got Father’s title.”

“My point is that simply that he can help introduce you to people and make connections when you come out in a few years. That’s more than I can offer you.”

Amber glared. “I don’t need his help.”

“I wasn’t saying you need help. Only that he can offer you something I can’t.”

“I don’t think he can. You can introduce me to people just fine on your own.”

“Except I can’t. The reality is, since your father got sick, I haven’t gone out much. Truth be told, I lost most of my social connections.”

“Then we can make more.”

“Amber,” she sighed. “We can talk about this later. We need to go great him.”

Amber shook her head. “Go on without me. I’m quite content to remain here and continue my work.”

Grace sighed, looking at her daughter with a strange look on her face. “Come now; don’t be like that. You should at least try and make a good impression on him.”

“Why shouldn’t he try to make a good impression on me?”

“Amber, you’re going to have to live in close quarters with him until you get married. You should try and be cordial at least.”