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“Bu—”

Amber shot her a look. “Please.”

She hesitated. “If you’re sure…”

“I’m sure.”

“You know where to find me if you need anything.”

“Thank you, but I’m fine, really.”

Felicity shot her a skeptical look before she left her alone.

Amber’s shoulders slumped.

“You did well to get rid of her. She’s the Duke of Easton’s sister, isn’t she?” Thomas asked.

“Why does it matter?”

“Because I don’t want you around that family.”

She turned to him, rage burning in her eyes. “I don’t think you get to decide who I associate with.”

Thomas glared down at her. “You forget who I am to you. When we are married, and you live under my roof, then you will treat me with the respect I deserve, do I make myself clear?”

Amber met his eyes, forcing all the fire she could into her own. “You may have found a way to force me to marry you, but you will never find a way to make me respect you.”

He scoffed. “We’ll see about that. I think it’s time you went back to your room, Amber.”

“I’m not a child for you to order away.”

“I can always have Simon do it while you get used to my rules.”

Amber glared at him. “This isn’t about him.”

“You’re right. It’s about us, and things will only work if you learn your place. I thought you knew better by now. That was part of the reason I was interested in you.”

“Sorry to disappoint.”

“That’s all right. I’m sure you’ll learn in time.”

“I don’t see what there is for me to learn.”

He glared, taking a step closer to Amber in an attempt to intimidate her, but she just straightened her spine.

“Go to your room. We can talk about this later.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Their stare down was only interrupted when Simon came over.

“What’s going on here?” he asked.

“Amber is tired. I told her she should go take a nap, but she’s being stubborn.”

Simon turned to her, face cold. “Amber, why are you still here? Go get some rest. Take a nap or something.”

“Just like that? You’re just going to send me away until you need me again?”