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“Does it make you happy?”

“Yes.”

“Then I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you. As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.”

Felicity smiled. “I like the way you think.”

Amber chuckled. “Glad to be of service.”

CHAPTER11

The next day, everyone was gushing over horses and the stables over breakfast. Apparently, Thomas has recently gotten some kind of prized new horse.

“You should all come see him sometime,” he boasted, making a point to catch Amber’s eyes from across the table. “It is amazing the quality money can buy.”

Christopher was narrowly avoiding openly glaring at him from the other end of the table. He was clutching his knife so hard, it was a miracle it hadn’t snapped.

Felicity frowned at him for an explanation, but he just shook his head. It wouldn’t do to contradict a duke.

Still, he couldn’t say nothing. There had to be a way to change the subject or at least the focus tactfully.

“Do you keep any horses, Earl Wilton?” Christopher finally said. “We haven’t heard much from you this morning.”

“Of course. They might not be much compared to his, but I do have a few.”

“We should give our guests a tour of our stables,” Mary suggested.

“I’m not sure the weather will permit, my dear,” he frowned.

“Nonsense, I’m sure our guests can handle a little cold.”

“It’s hardly even that cold,” someone else chimed in.

“I couldn’t agree more. There’s no reason we can’t go on a short trip to the stables later this afternoon.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

And just like that, they were planning on going to see the horses that afternoon.

Christopher caught Amber’s eyes from where she sat. She saw the question in his eyes and nodded.

It looked like they had a plan.

The pair waited until just after lunch before Christopher made his move. In the meantime, all Amber could do was avoid Simon and Thomas as best as she could.

It was hard. She had to constantly be on the move. She slipped from room to room at the first sign of them, all the while maintaining tabs on Christopher.

Finally, it was time.

Christopher found where Amber was, clinging to the wall in one of the parlors, doing her best to avoid them. He made sure she saw him.

Amber caught his eye as he made his way from the room, heading towards the door, and she knew he was on his way.

Amber knew better than to race after him. She desperately wanted to, but it wouldn’t do to attract attention to themselves before they were ready.

She gave it close to five minutes before she slowly got to her feet, following after him. She didn’t make it halfway to the door when a voice called out to her.

“There you are, Amber dear.”