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She shook her head. “You’re just imagining things, Rose.”

“Of course,” she rolled her eyes. “How silly of me.”

“I’m glad you can see it that way too. The best thing I can hope for is to make it through this weekend without too much incident.”

“I’m sure you’ll manage. You always do.”

Amber sighed. “I should probably dismiss you for the night.”

“You know I don’t mind staying a little later if you need to talk.”

“That might be true, but that doesn’t mean I should take advantage of your kindness. You should go get some rest.”

“You aren’t taking advantage of anything.”

Amber shot her a look.

“How long have I been in your service?”

“I honestly don’t remember. Since I was fourteen at least.”

“And in that time, I like to think we’ve moved past a purely professional relationship. I’d go as far as to say that I like to think we have even become friends.”

Amber couldn’t help but smile. “Would you really?”

“Do you remember what you gave me for my birthday?”

“The handkerchief I gave you?”

She nodded. “Not only did you hand make me a present, but you remembered my favorite bird and flower just so you could make sure I’d like it. I don’t think most people would do something like that for someone who wasn’t a friend on some level.”

“Well that’s—” Emotion cut off her words for a moment, sticking in her throat like cakes with too much honey. “Thank you. That means more than I can say.”

Rose moved to sit beside Amber. “I know you lost touch with a lot of your friends when the new Earl of Heathfield took over the estate, but I have done my best to offer what companionship I could.”

Amber took her hands, a watery smile on her face. “You truly have. I don’t know what I would have done without you here.”

Rose squeezed her hands. “All I hope is that when you finally marry, you and your husband let me come with you to your new home.”

“I could never leave you behind. When the time comes, I’ll make sure you come with me. I couldn’t imagine having anyone else as my lady’s maid.”

The two talked for a little longer before Amber rose to her feet with a sigh. “Thank you for staying for a little while.”

“Like I said, I don’t mind. Now, why don’t you tell me about this friend you certainly didn’t meet.”

Amber shook Christopher’s face from her mind. She wasn’t about to talk about him. While she knew by now she could trust Rose, that didn’t mean she could risk ruining her plan now. Still, she could tell her something. “There’s a new girl here tonight. I’ve never seen her around before. Her name is Lady Felicity Garvey, and she’s such a dear! Truth be told, I spent half the evening talking with her.”

Rose wrinkled her forehead. “A lady?”

“What were you expecting?”

“Perhaps it was a bit presumptuous of me, but I thought you’d met a gentleman.”

Amber’s heart pounded, moving so Rose could turn her focus to her hair. “What? Why would you think that?”

Amber saw Rose’s grin in the mirror of the dressing table. “So, there is a gentleman. You don’t need to worry; your secret is safe with me.”

“If I had a secret, which I don’t, I know it would be safe in your care. The truth is, I don’t have one.”