Page 26

“Of course, of course. And this gentleman who doesn’t exist, he obviously can’t have a name, but there has to be something you can tell me about him.”

“If there was a gentleman I’d spoken to, which there isn’t, then I would say he’s easily one of, if not the most infuriating man I have ever had the displeasure of meeting.”

“Oh,” Rose sighed, disappointment in her voice. “That doesn’t sound very romantic.”

“It wasn’t. There’s nothing like that. If there was a man, he is simply a rude man I had little choice but to be in close quarters with.”

“Were you sitting next to him at dinner?”

“No,” Amber groaned. “You know who Simon had me seated next to.”

“I’m sorry. I hope he wasn’t too bad tonight.”

“It could have been worse. It ended soon enough.”

“A small mercy at least,” Rose sighed. “You’re all set for bed whenever you’re ready, but I am happy to stay and talk more about this gentleman who does not exist for as long as you like.”

Amber groaned. “I think I’ve had more than enough of that for the night.”

“Aw, are you sure? As I said, I can stay as long as you’d like.”

“Believe me, I am sure. I don’t know about you, but I am beginning to get tired. I should try and get some sleep. You should do the same.”

“Of course,” Rose got to her feet. “I hope you sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Alone, Amber fell back in bed with a sigh.

She needed to make sure her plan went off without a hitch. It wasn’t just her fate on the line.

She couldn’t imagine someone like Lord Gillion treated his staff with the respect Rose deserved.

She wouldn’t let that happen to her.

As she lay in bed, her thoughts turned back to Christopher. She couldn’t help but wonder how he?—

How his family treated their staff.

* * *

“You can’t do this to me!” Amber cried even as Simon forced her out the door and onto the streets.

Dozens of eyes turned to her, staring at her plight in open interest.

Amber’s heart pounded in her chest.

It was like the endless years of her life stretched in front of her in their endless struggles.

“Simon!” she cried again as he tossed her single bag out after her.

He glared down at her, eyes seemingly devoid of any pity or empathy. “Why not? Now that you’ve ruined your prospects, I have no use for you anymore.”

“But we’re supposed to be family. How can you do this? What would my father say if he could see you?”

“Me?” he sneered. “What about you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think he would be proud to see what you’ve made of yourself? To know you will die alone and penniless as an unwanted spinster?”