Page 84

There was no one there.

But that couldn’t be right. She knew what she heard, but where did whoever it was go?

Why would they go?

Whoever it was must have snuck over here only to leave without saying a word, why?

Poking her head out, she looked down the hall, searching for any sign of whoever it was.

But there was no point. Whoever had once been there was long gone. Still, she had to try. She knew she hadn’t imagined the knocking.

As she stepped further out, she felt something under her foot. Looking down, she saw a small folded up note on the ground.

Glancing around, she picked it up off the ground before shutting herself back inside.

Staring at the folded paper, her hands shook. There was nothing written on the outside to indicate where it had come from, but it had to be from Christopher, didn’t it?

After all, who else would have come by to drop something like this off?

She was still telling herself that as her shaking hands picked it up, turning it over in her hands, looking for any sign of who could have possibly sent it.

But of course, there wasn’t any.

It was just a plain white paper of middling quality. Finally, she forced herself to unfolded the page.

She didn’t recognize the handwriting at first glance, lending more credibility that it could be Christopher.

Taking a deep breath, she read on.

Amber Parr

It read with no further greeting.

I have been watching you for some time, and I can’t help but notice you seem to have a particular attachment to a certain person.

In fact, I saw the two of you sneak off to the barn earlier today.

Now what business would two unmarried people possibly have alone in such a location?

I must admit I have a few theories.

Now, before we get ahead of ourselves, I should tell you, I am not the only one who has witnessed your illicit activities.

Of course, we are both more than happy to keep your dirty little secret. Tomorrow morning, you will be asked a very important question by a mutual acquaintance of ours. I think we both know who I’m talking about. The way to buy my silence is simple.

When he asks you, all you have to do is say yes.

Then that was how it ended. There was no sign off, no closing, and certainly no name. Amber could only speculate who it could be.

She knew the most likely answer was Simon, but as awful as he was, she wanted to believe he was above thinly veiled threats like this.

Not to mention whenever he had felt the need to apply pressure to her in the past, he had always done it in person. He always seemed to take a certain pleasure in it at that.

So why would he just send a note?

Even though she had retired for the night, he was her cousin and guardian.

No one would have turned him away from her room if he had tried to see her.