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“I haven’t said anything to blame you. I simply wanted to ascertain that you are still with us. I’d hate for you to get sick in your guest room again!”

His face turned red as everyone laughed. He stepped away from the group. “I need to step away for a moment.”

Mary grabbed Amber’s arm, tugging her from the remainder of the group as they started to disperse into the rest of the crowd.

Amber frowned, crossing her arms. “What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“How are you doing, my dear?” she asked, rather than answering Amber.

“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Mary looked away. “Oh, Amber, you don’t need to lie to me. I know what Lord Heathfield is planning. How are you feeling about all of it?”

Blood drained from Amber’s face. “Did he tell you? Has he already made the announcement?”

She shook her head.

Amber let out a sigh of relief. There was still hope.

“He hasn’t said anything to me or my husband as far as I know, but, at least to me, he didn’t have to. I remember when I was in your position. I know how to see the signs.”

Amber looked away. “My apologies, but I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about.”

“I hate to break it to you, but you already admitted there was something. It’s a bit late to back track now.”

Amber chewed her lip. “I can’t. Please don’t make me say it.”

“I won’t push you right now, but even if you can’t say it, you can tell me how you feel about it.”

“I just can’t.”

She sighed. “Amber, you need to talk to someone about how you’re feeling. There isn’t much you can do to change your situations, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t make you feel better to commiserate with someone.”

Amber crossed her arms. “No, it wouldn’t, especially because, like I already told you, there’s nothing to commiserate about.” She looked away. She didn’t want to meet Mary’s eyes. She couldn’t handle seeing the pity she knew would be there.

“All right,” Mary sighed. “I won’t push you, but you should consider talking with someone. It would do you a lot of good.”

“And what would you know?” Amber crossed her arms.

“I think we both know the answer to that.”

Amber looked away.

“Have I ever told you how Jonathan and I met?”

“You have.”

“And looking at us now, do you think we’re happy?”

“From what you’ve told me, it sounds like it.”

“So try not to worry.”

“But it isn’t the same.”

“I know it isn’t, but my point is, you are going to be all right. You aren’t the first woman in this position. Most of the time, it turns out just fine.”

“But not every time.”