'Please just come and look at it, Amalie,' her younger brother begged. 'You might love it and change your mind.'
'Me? On a farm? I cannot see it, Damon.'
Amalie carried on sorting through her wardrobe. After throwing the beautiful court gowns to one side, she selected only the most serviceable of her clothes. Even without a final destination, the finery women wore at the ducal court was not going to be of any use in her new life.
'There is an orchard, a garden, and plenty of berry bushes in the surrounding forest.' Her brother plonked himself on her bed, dislodging garments already folded in preparation for packing.
'Damon!' She allowed her exasperation to cut through her voice as tears came to her eyes.
Her decision to leave had not been her own - well, not totally - and it was difficult enough without her brother's attempts to change her mind.