“Just Lucifer,” he ground out. “And Miss Gold—”
“Gohar!” Amber hissed.
“Miss Gohar and I are well acquainted.”
“I do not care if you have been raised from the cradle together.” Diana stepped right up into his face. She could do that because he was still dipped in his bow, but the moment he stood, she was dwarfed by his size. And apparently not in the least bit intimidated. “You will not speak to my guest, you will not come to the upper floors unless requested, and you will not stand there like you belong here no matter what my brother has told you!”
Ah. There was the real problem. Lord Byrn had taken it upon himself to make changes in his sister’s staff. An excellent idea, by Amber’s reckoning, because Diana’s horrible stepson did not make idle threats. But Diana was obviously used to defending her position in the house and did not take kindly to the intrusion. That it helped keep Lucifer away from Amber was a side benefit.
Lucifer sketched another bow, not so much insolent as indulgent. As if he were giving way to a petulant child. “You will see no more of me this day, my lady.” Then he looked at Amber, and his expression was dark and unreadable. “Watch yourself, Miss. This is not your place.”
“I decide if this is her place,” Diana snapped. “She is welcome here, ergo—”
He shot a look at Lady Dunnamore. “Doesn’t she return home today? Am I not supposed to drive her there after luncheon?”
Diana’s eyes widened, and she looked at Amber. “You are leaving? I thought…” She swallowed. “I’d hoped you could remain for a bit longer. I received vouchers for Almack’s an hour ago, and I’ve set Maddy to altering one of my gowns.”
“Almack’s?” Amber breathed. “Truly?”
“Truly. And you can’t want to miss that.”
She didn’t. Never in a million years would she have thought to receive a voucher. The idea that she wouldn’t be able to go broke her heart. But… “I believe my business with your brother is over,” she finally admitted.
“Nonsense. You leave my brother to me. Besides,” Diana said as she linked arms with Amber and drew her toward the stairs, “I want you to stay, and so you shall. I have need of a companion, and I find I like you quite well.”
And wasn’t that just like a peer to declare she wanted something and expect that everyone would comply? Except in this case, Amber wanted it with her whole heart. She just didn’t know what her father and grandfather would do without her for so long. And if she doubted the wisdom of giving in to Diana, all she had to do was look behind her at Lucifer to see the grim way he was shaking his head.
She wasn’t stupid. She knew she was allowing herself to be pulled into something that wasn’t her life. Sleeping past noon, dresses given for free, and dancing at night. That life would never be hers. But if she viewed it as a holiday, it could be for a time. A few days of color in the midst of a lifetime of gray. What was the harm in that?
She resolutely turned her back on Lucifer and allowed Diana to pull her close. They went down to eat together, happily discussing dresses. Did she look better in a high cut gown? Did she prefer lace or ribbon? And how would her hair be styled? They spoke nothing of significance. No grand state of affairs and certainly nothing of the selling or buying of jewelry, which is what her father and grandfather always discussed. And yet, every word was gold to her. And when Diana showed her the voucher from Almack’s, Amber traced the elegant sweep of her name on the linen. She stroked the edge of the paper and even brought it to her nose to catch the vague scent of rosewater. That last part could be imagined. There was no reason at all that Lady Castlereagh would drip rose scent upon a voucher. But in Amber’s imagination, that little detail was added. As was the way she would dance yet another night through.
“Lord Byrn, my lady,” her butler announced, jolting Amber out of her thoughts.
“Thank you, Simpson,” Diana said. “Show him in here. And set another place at the table. My brother never remembers to eat.”
Amber looked up from where she’d been stroking the voucher and imagining such things. Her heart was beating hard in her throat as she watched the door for Elliott to appear. In her dream, he would see her and light up with joy. He would grin, rush to her side, and drop immediately to his knee before her as he professed his love.
It was a ridiculous thought, and she mentally kicked herself for such an idea. But her imagination could never be restrained, only held up against reality to show her the truth.
Lord Byrn walked in wearing—no surprise—all black. His cravat was tied differently today, his hair mussed, and there were dark smudges beneath his eyes.
“Good heavens, brother,” Diana cried. “You look positively haggard.”
Her brother’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Surely not that bad.” He kissed his sister’s cheek then—far from dropping to one knee before her—he barely glanced at Amber before murmuring a polite, “Miss Gohar.”
“Sit down. Eat. We have plenty here, and there’s no reason for it to go to waste.”
“You are too kind,” Elliott said as he settled in a chair on the opposite side of the table as Amber.
“I know you too well,” Diana said lightly. “Tell me what has brought you here so early.”
Elliott didn’t answer as the footman served him a hearty meal. He tucked into it with relish before shooting his sister a too innocent look. “How goes it with the new footmen?”
“Don’t you mean spies?” she answered, her voice high.
Elliott’s head and eyebrows lifted as he looked at his sister. He didn’t speak, and neither did she until the silence stretched to an uncomfortable degree. And then she turned to the butler. “Thank you, Simpson. I think we can manage from here.”
“As you wish, my lady,” the butler said as he gestured the footmen to precede him out of the room. He shut the door firmly behind him while Diana relaxed back in her seat as she regarded her brother. When she spoke, it was quiet, but her words hit with the force of a sledgehammer.
“Out with it, Elliott. Why am I hosting four new footman and a delightful new guest all from London’s most infamous gaming hell?”
“My lady!” Amber gasped as she straightened out of her seat. She knew! She knew who Amber was, and she was not pleased.
“Sit down, Amber,” Diana said gently. “I have no quarrel with you. I will delight in taking you to Almack’s tomorrow. But the question—for my brother—remains. Why is everyone here?”
Elliott’s brows drew down. “Almack’s? Whyever would you want to go there?”
“Because she has a voucher, Elliott. And I shall be pleased to go with her, that’s why.”
Which was a lovely thought. It was a beautiful one! But not if Diana knew she was foisting a fraud into those hallowed halls. “I-I can’t,” Amber said as she fought the tears. “You know what I am.”
“Do I?” Diana challenged. She arched a brow at her brother. “Who is she to you?”
The question was clear. Is she your mistress? And Amber would not sit down for that. “I make jewelry, my lady. I am the best there is in all of England, even though I am a woman. And it was not my choice to deceive you.”