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She backed down, heart sinking like a led weight. “Yes, I’m going.”

“Good girl. I expect you to be on your best behavior.”

Amber bit her tongue. She knew better than to push him now. She had her plan. The best thing she could do was play along until it was time.

She could do this, she told herself as she made her way over to where Thomas was sitting on a sofa, arms spread wide along the back. He looked over the room like he owned the place, rather than simply being a guest. When he saw her, a snake-like grin spread across his face.

For a moment, she faltered in her steps; glancing back, she could see Simon was still staring at her, an expectant look on his face.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to close the distance. The closer she got, the more smug Thomas looked. By the time she was standing in front of him, he looked like a cat with a well cornered mouse.

His eyes raked over her body, making her feel like her skin was not her own. She resisted the urge to shift under her gaze. “Amber,” he purred, “how good to see you again. I was starting to wonder where you had run off to.”

She stiffened, blood rushing in her ears. “Lord Gillion, I didn’t realize we were on a first name basis.”

“Don’t be silly! Of course, we are! After all, even if the two of us might not know each other well yet, it is only a matter of time before we do.”

Her skin crawled at the look on his face. “Is it?”

“Of course! I don’t think it’s any secret that I have taken a special interest in you and your future.”

She nodded, unable to bring herself to look at him.

“There’s no reason to stand on ceremony. Come here, and sit beside me.”

She hesitated, but he patted the spot behind her leaving very little room for questions or concerns.

Sitting stiffly beside him, Amber tried not to mind the way that his arm still rested along the back of the sofa. His hand was inches from her shoulder, waiting to swoop in and touch her like a hawk carries off a rabbit.

“It’s so good to finally see your sweet face,” he sighed.

“You flatter me.”

“I’m not in the habit of giving undeserved flattery. If I say something to you, you can be sure I mean it. What do you think?”

“What do I think of what?”

“Me, of course.”

She avoided looking at him, heart pounding in her chest. What could she say? She couldn’t tell the truth, that was for sure. “I’m not sure what to say to that.”

“You could start with the truth.”

“Give me more time. You can ask me again before we leave.”

He chuckled. “So worried about saying the right thing. It’s sweet how much you want to make me happy.”

Amber forced herself to hold her tongue.

“I’ve been waiting for you, you know,” he said.

“Have you?” she hoped her voice didn’t feel as shaky as it felt.

“Of course!”

“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

“I won’t lie, I was waiting for quite some time. Where were you?”