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He turned to her, the mask on his face faltering for a moment. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”

“I’m Lady Felicity. You must be Amber’s cousin.”

“Simon Parr, Earl of Heathfield,” he said. “And how did you meet my dear cousin, might I ask?”

“We’re new friends. We just met here through some mutual acquaintances.” She smiled. “She’s a lovely woman. I hope to see her at a ball in the not-too-distant future.”

He glared. “That’s rather forward of you to say. I’m sure you know Amber isn’t out yet.”

“Oh, I know, but surely you wouldn’t want to wait much longer. She’s such a lovely woman. I’m sure she would easily be able to make a wonderful match.”

“How kind of you to be so concerned for her. It also appears you have a lot of faith in her for someone who does not yet know her well.”

“What can I say? She made a lasting first impression.”

“That doesn’t really sound like her.” Then he turned back to Amber. “Come along, now. I think you’ve had enough fun for tonight.”

She wanted to argue, but Amber knew it wasn’t the time.

She glanced at Felicity. “I need to go. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Then I look forward to seeing you at breakfast.”

Amber got to her feet and followed after him. As she walked, she shot Felicity an apologetic look. She could only hope the other woman would understand.

She held her tongue until they were out of the main room of the party. “It really isn’t that late. Is this really necessary?”

He sighed, shaking his head. “Amber, Amber, Amber, you don’t need to think about that. All you need to do is trust me.”

“But—”

“You’re too young and naive to know what’s best for you,” he cut her off.

“And you do?”

“Of course, I do. As your guardian, it is my job to know, and do you want to know what I think you should do right now?”

“I have a feeling my answer to that question doesn’t matter, so why don’t you just tell me, so we can be done with it.”

“It’s good to see you can be clever when you wish to be. I think you should go to sleep. It’s late, and you need your rest.”

“But—”

“Amber,” his voice came out sharply. She couldn’t help but shrink back at the steel in his voice. “It was an order, not a request. Now, come on.”

She nodded then followed her cousin further down the hall. Still, she could only hold her tongue for so long.

“Do you want to tell me what this is about?” she tried again when she was sure they were far enough away that there was no risk of anyone overhearing them.

He curled his lips in annoyance, the last remaining pieces of his mask finally falling away. “I believe I should be the one asking you that, so allow me to repeat the question. Do you want to tell me what that was about?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Then allow me to be blunt. Do you want to tell me why you were talking with that girl instead of Lord Gillion?”

“Do you want to tell me why you want me to spend so much time with him?”

Then he had the audacity to laugh. “Are you truly foolish enough not to know what’s happening?”