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“It must be harder for you. Since you’re not out, I mean.”

Amber frowned, feeling her defenses beginning to rise once again. “I don’t understand. What must be hard?”

If Felicity noticed the shift in her tone, she kept it to herself. “Forgive me, I didn’t properly explain myself again. All I meant was that it must be hard to meet people. I know it’s hard for me, and I have the benefit of balls and afternoon parties and promenades and of course, my brother’s guidance. When are you going to come out?”

Amber faltered. “I—well my cousin isn’t sure when. He wants to make sure I have time to properly mourn my father first. Which is understandable.”

Felicity frowned. “I was wondering why I’ve only seen you wear black, but hasn’t it been a little long to still be in mourning?” She gasped. “I’m so sorry. That was rude. Please forget I asked.”

Amber couldn’t help but smile. She didn’t know it was possible for someone to be so open and earnest. Lady Felicity couldn’t hide something if you offered her the world. Her eyes gave everything away. Despite being the same color as Christopher’s, they were so different from his.

Where his were critical, skeptical, and piercing, hers were soft, open, and welcoming. They were constantly filled with compassion and understanding.

It had Amber softening and even answering honestly, “No, it’s a fair question. I agree, it has been longer than is considered standard. I’ve often wondered when he would finally present me.” Amber sighed. “I’m beginning to think he never will.” Then it was Amber’s turn to gasp. “Forgive me. We’ve only just met. I shouldn’t be talking all this out with you.” She couldn’t believe she confessed that! Just because Felicity had a kind face didn’t mean Amber needed to share all her secrets.

Felicity leaned in with a conspiratory smile on her face. “I can understand your concern, but you don’t need to worry. I’m not a gossip, and you seemed close with my brother. Any friend of his is a friend of mine. Anything you say will remain between us, I promise.”

“That’s kind of you to say, but I don’t know him that well. We only just met, and even in that time, I would hardly say he’s given me anything even close to a ringing endorsement.”

She laughed. “Somehow, I doubt that. The very fact that he is willing to spend time with you at all is more of an endorsement than you realize. If he didn’t like or approve of you, then he simply wouldn’t speak with you.”

“Why? And quite honestly how? It isn’t as though he could simply choose not to speak to me. We are at a social gathering. It would be seen as rather rude to simply ignore me.”

“My brother, he tends to avoid unmarried women. Since he claims he has no intention of marrying, he finds it… difficult when women take a liking to him, so he tends to avoid making friends with them. The very fact that he is friends with?—”

“As he said, we barley know each other, sofriendsmight be a strong word.”

She just chuckled. “So you’ve said, but I am going to stick withfriendsfor the time being. Anyway, as I was saying, the very fact that he is friends with you tells me that you must be extraordinary. It only makes me wonder why your cousin wouldn’t want to present you. You have the potential to be the most eligible woman in the ton.”

Amber laughed, looking away. “You must think very highly of your brother to form that opinion based on the simple fact that he is willing to speak to me. I assure you, there’s nothing extraordinary about me. I’m just an ordinary woman.”

She just shook her head. “Somehow, I don’t believe that. I know it might not make sense, but yes, I think you must be extraordinary. I do. I mean it. I hope your cousin lets you come out soon. I would love to attend a ball with you.”

She couldn’t help herself. She’d been holding everything in for so long. Amber couldn’t stop the words from spilling from her lips. “Yes, well as I said, as much as I hate to admit it, I doubt you will have the chance. I sincerely think he never has any intention of presenting me.”

“I still don’t understand.” Felicity shook her head. “Does he not want you to marry?”

Amber grimaced. “Something like that.”

“But why? Surly it would be in his best interest for you to make a good match!”

Amber looked away. “I think he has something else in mind.” She shook her head with a sigh. “Please forget I mentioned this. I shouldn’t have said anything.”Especially not to someone I hardly know.

“Please, as I said, you don’t need to worry. Anything you say here will stay between us, I assure you.”

“Thank you. I can only hope you’re telling the truth.”

Felicity smiled. “I am. You’ll see.”

For a moment the pair slipped into silence, both of them studying the rest of the room as the other members of the party milled about.

After a while, Felicity crossed her arms, a pout on her face. “Well, your cousin can’t keep you hidden away forever.”

“Is that right?”

“It is!”

“If he won’t present me, then there isn’t anything I can do about it. Please, try not to worry yourself. I’m sure I will manage. You don’t need to worry.”