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He tried to catch her eyes, but she wouldn’t even look at him. Worry filled him. He had to get her out of there. There was no time for this. They were so close to being free. To getting her out of this, and now, she was acting like it was too late.

Then Simon spoke in that smarmy voice of his, and Christoper realized just how dire the situation had become. “Indeed, I am pleased to say that my dear cousin finally saw sense.”

“Did she? About what?”

“Her future.”

“Is that right?”

“Indeed! For so long she has lamented her poor prospects, but when an advantageous match fell into her lap, she saw fit to refuse it, much to the horror of all involved.”

“I’m sure she had her reasons.”

“I’m sure she thought she did, but the musings of a naive girl can hardly be called reasons, now can they? But then, I suppose none of it matters now. We had to talk for a while, but she has finally seen reason. All we had to do was explain her options for her future. Once we did that, it was easy for her to see what the right and proper choice was. And now, everything has finally settled. My Amber is going to be marrying Lord Gillion.”

Christopher’s ears rang. He couldn’t have heard that right. It didn’t make any sense. He tried to look to Amber again, but she still continued to ignore him.

No, that wasn’t quite right. It was more than that. It was like she had been carved from stone. She stood with pin straight posture, hands folded over her skirts, eyes on the ground. She didn’t move a muscle.

She didn’t even seem to still be in her body, but she seemed to have left and gone somewhere far away. Christopher could only hope it was somewhere better.

Christopher’s mouth opened and closed a few times. He knew he needed to say something, anything.

But he just couldn’t bring himself to. All of his words stuck in his throat, weighed down by the sheer number of questions he had trapped inside him. “What?” he finally managed to grit out.

A snide grin grew across Simon’s face. “My apologies, I must not have spoken loud enough for you to hear me. You know how these hallways can redirect noise after all. Please, allow me a moment to repeat myself. Amber and Thomas here,” he motioned to the other figure, and Christopher had to fight the urge to snarl, “are engaged, but please keep the good news to yourself. I’m sure the happy couple will want to make their own announcements.”

Christopher fought to keep his voice even. He couldn’t walk away. Not like this. Not unless he knew. “Amber, is this true?”

That was when she finally met his eyes. The utter despair he saw there stunned him for a moment.

“It is,” Simon answered for her. “Now, if you excuse us?—"

Christopher cut him off. “Quiet! I didn’t ask you. I asked her.”

“Perhaps, but you have no business asking her. As her guardian, it is only proper for you to direct such questions to me instead.”

“If I wanted to speak with you, I would, but I don’t. Amber…” he tried again, hoping the desperation wasn’t creeping into his voice.

“Don’t answer that.” Thomas had the nerve to step forward. “You don’t need to talk to him. Allow your cousin and me to handle this.”

Christopher expected her to argue, to push back, but she didn’t. She just stood there, silent and unmoving.

That was when he broke.

He was aware Simon and Thomas were taking turns talking at him, but their words never reached his ears. All he could do was stand there and take it the same way she did.

Finally, Simon leaned back with a sigh. “Goodness, look at the time! We simply must begin making our way to the dining room! We don’t want to be late for breakfast after all.”

Christopher could only watch as they walked down the hall, leaving him alone. He only wished Amber would have met his eyes one last time, but as she walked by, her eyes never left the floor.

For a moment, he couldn’t bring himself to move. Shock and horror coursed through him like it was blood in his veins.

What was Amber doing?

He clutched his hands into fists. His nails bit into the flesh of his palms so hard he almost drew blood.

He couldn’t just stand there and do nothing. He needed to talk to Amber.