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“Just tell me why you agreed to marry him?”

She just shook her head.

“Please, I need to know.”

Amber sighed. “If I tell you, what then? It won’t change anything.”

“After all we went through to try and prevent this, I think I’m owed some kind of explanation.”

She sighed. “Fine, you want to know the truth? The truth is, Simon wouldn’t let me fade away in disgrace.”

“What do you mean? When did he talk to you?”

She sighed. “Does it matter? It doesn’t change what he said.”

“I just need to know, was it before or after our last talk?”

“After.”

“I see, and what did he say?”

“He said he wouldn’t allow me to disgrace our family name by becoming a spinster. He said that I had to marry the Viscount—” she cut herself off, letting out a shaky breath.

“Or what?”

Tears burned her eyes. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Amber, please.”

“You really want to know?”

“I wouldn’t be standing here if I didn’t.”

Her eyes burned as she forced herself to speak, but she would not cry. She couldn’t let herself. It wouldn’t be fair to make him feel guilty for any of this. She took a deep breath and forced out the words. “He said I either had to marry Thomas, or I had to marry you.”

Christopher froze. “And you chose Lord Gillion?”

“It was hardly a choice now, was it?!” she glared. How could he do this to her? Why would he ask something that seemed to serve no purpose but to humiliate her?

“Because marrying me sounds so awful?”

“Because I am well aware you do not wish to get married to anyone, let alone me.”

“Amber!” He had the audacity to look hurt. “Did last night truly mean that little to you?”

“Of course not, but that doesn’t matter now, does it?”

“Ask me again.”

“What?”

“Last night, I told you I had a plan to set you free, but I wouldn’t tell you. I’m telling you to ask me again.”

She shook her head. “But it doesn’t matter what your plan was; it’s too late.”

“I’m asking you one last time to trust me.”

She sighed, crossing her arms. “Very well. If you could magically turn back time to try and stop this before it became too late, what would your plan have been?”