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“Indeed,” Thomas stepped forward with a false smile. “Especially since I thought we had an understanding.”

“Quite right,” Simon quickly regained his composure. “This is most improper, Amber. He hasn’t even asked me for your hand. You can see why I can’t give my blessing to such a man. I’m sure you understand, but don’t worry. I’m sure we can find someone more suitable.”

“I hardly see who could be more suitable than a duke,” Christopher chimed in. “As for not asking you, I was under the impression you were her cousin and not her father.”

“Perhaps, but I am her closest male relative. It would only be proper to ask.”

Christopher took a step closer to him, “And from where I am standing, it would only be proper to say yes if I had.”

“But you didn’t, so it’s a moot point.”

“I think it’s wonderful, don’t you, dear,” Mary interjected, and Amber let out a sigh of relief.

“Of course,” Jonathan agreed. “I think the pair of them make a fine match.”

Simon’s gaze only harder with every word. “Amber, I can’t allow this.”

“It doesn’t seem you are in a position to refuse.”

“Excuse me?!” he snarled. “I hardly think I’m the one in a delicate position here.”

“And why is that?”

“Because if the two of you insist on trying to move forward in this match, then you will leave me little choice but to go to the gossip pages and tell them all about your sordid affair.”

“Should that frighten me? If we marry–”

“Even if you marry yes, it should because by the time you get word out about your betrothal, I can ensure everyone has already heard my version of events.”

“And? If we marry shortly after, then it won’t matter. We can undo any damage you might have been able to do, not that any of it matters anyway.”

I think we both know that while Amber wouldn’t care about the damage, and you could easily weather it, your sister—what was her name again, Fanny? It doesn’t matter. She would hardly be so lucky.”

“You leave her out of this.”

“No, I don’t think I will. In fact, I think I’ll make a point to tell them how she helped the pair of you sneak around together.”

Amber’s eyes burned. While she could risk her own reputation and while she trusted Christopher to make his own choices, Felicity hadn’t asked to be involved in any of this.

More than that, it was doubtful she even knew what exactly was going on. Amber couldn’t let her pay the price for her choices.

“Once word gets out about that, what do you think her prospects will be? Do you think your status can protect her the way it does you? Because I think we both know better than to trust that.”

“Just let me go,” she whispered to Christopher. “I’m not worth it.”

“Oh yes, you are,” he said before moving until he was only inches away from Simon. “Listen and listen closely because I will not repeat myself. Amber is going to be my wife. You will leave me and my family, which your cousin is now a part of, alone.”

“Or what?”

“Or I will use every tool at my disposal to ensure you end up alone, ostracized, and penniless.”

Simon paled, but Christoper didn’t stop. He was just getting started.

“No one will welcome you into their home. You will be unable to get a loan, and you will be left with no way to support yourself.”

“You- you can’t control the whole town! I have friends of my own you know!”

“Of course, you do, but how many of them will stick with you when things get hard? And more importantly, how many will be willing to pay the price beside you? Because while I don’t doubt you could force some poor soul, I’d be willing to wager there won’t be very many.”