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She winced. “You haven’t.”

“Do you care for hunting?”

“Well, I’m afraid I’m not very familiar with it.”

“No need to worry. I can explain it all to you. You’ll be able to understand all about it before I go on my next one, possibly by the time we’re done with this conversation.”

Amber could only pray that the end would come swiftly.

Of course, it didn’t. Time passed. Thomas talked and talked and talked for what felt like hours. First about his hunting, despite Amber’s discomfort, then seemingly whatever he could think of.

The only saving grace was that as long as he was talking about himself, she wouldn’t be expected to say much. She could just sit there and let herself glaze over as he went on and on about himself.

He bragged about the size of his estate, all the things he could buy her, the amount of money he brought in each month, and anything else he thought would impress her.

Little did he know, none of it did.

If anything it had the opposite effect. It made him seem pompous and self-important.

After only a few short minutes, all Amber could think about was how best to make her escape.

Not just from this whole unfortunate arrangement, but also this specific conversation she was trapped in. She scanned the crowd, desperate for someone who could give her an excuse.

Her eyes met Mary’s from across the room and hope leapt in her heart. If anyone could understand Amber’s situation, it was her. The pair had spoken a bit about how Mary’s own marriage was less than wanted at the time.

She was just lucky things had worked out well, and the pair had grown to care about one another.

Amber knew that if she got stuck in a similar arrangement with Thomas, she would have no such luck, only an ever-growing resentment.

Mary shook her head before turning back to her conversation.

Amber bit back tears. The one person she thought would have her back had turned away from her. It seemed like she was truly on her own.

Amber felt hopeless. She couldn’t do anything but sit there and listen as he droned on and on.

If she didn’t do something soon, this would be her life.

No matter what the cost, she couldn’t let that happen.

After what felt like an eternity, finally, the perfect moment for her escape came. He turned to her with a generous smile on his face.

“I don’t know about you, but all of this conversation is making me quite thirsty.”

“Is it?” she tried not to let herself hope too much too fast.

“Indeed. I think I’m going to go find something to drink. I will get you a cup of tea while I’m gone.”

“How kind of you.”

“Oh, my darling,” he leaned in, “I think you’ll find I can be quite kind if you keep me happy. It isn’t hard. I’m sure you’ll learn quick enough.”

Amber thought she was going to be sick.

He grinned. “Don’t go anywhere while I’m gone.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

He turned to go, shooting her one last glance over his shoulder before he disappeared into the crowd.