The Duke's Bed Warmer

Two days passed but Alina was trapped in a space she couldn’t escape: accused, suspected, and watched.

She needed to prove her innocence, but she didn’t know where to start. She couldn’t ask for help. Not without revealing the intelligence briefing. Maren’s room was off-limits to her and Austin had withdrawn into silence. She was alone.

The change didn’t go unnoticed. The castle had grown used to Austin’s eyes finding her across the great hall, her walking into his study without knocking, and their chess games that lasted for hours. And now, they hadn’t even looked at each other in two days.

The whispers returned immediately. She was walking to the garden when Lady Pemberton blocked her path with two of her maids.

"The bed warmer has finally returned to her natural habitat," she said, her smile as sharp as a blade. "Tell me, Miss Ashworth, what did you do to lose the duke’s favour so quickly?"

"Lady Pemberton, I heard there is something going on with your brother’s liquor business. Something illegal? Should I ask around to confirm?"

Lady Pemberton’s face went pale. Alina passed between them, her shoulder brushing Lady Pemberton’s sleeve. The two women stepped aside, their smiles and confidence gone.

Alina walked through the corridor but whispers followed her.

"Poor thing."

"She thought she was special."

"What do you think she did?"

"Does it matter? He is done with her."

Everyone was pitying her and pity was harder to fight than cruelty. You couldn’t fight with someone who felt sorry for you. You could only pretend you didn’t hear them.

When she reached the garden, she began pacing, her thoughts spiraling with questions she had no answers to.

Who had seen her walking to Maren’s office? Who had reported it? Who had leaked the information? Who had sent the note? Who was helping her?

Then a familiar voice made her stop.

"I heard things are difficult between you and Austin."

Alina turned and saw Audrey setting down a tray with tea, cups, and biscuits on the bench beside her.

"Court gossip moves fast," Alina said.

Audrey smiled faintly.

"It is the only thing that moves fast here. Everything else crawls," she poured the tea and gestured to the seat beside her. "But don’t worry...he won’t let it affect your sewing circle."

Alina sat.

"You sound certain."

"I know Austin. He keeps his personal matters separate from his professional ones," Audrey handed her the cup. "Drink. You look exhausted."

"Thank you for the tea."

Audrey smiled and squeezed her arm gently in assurance. Then she stood up.

"Don’t overthink," she said. "It will pass."

Alina watched her go, feeling the warmth of the cup in her hands.

Why do I feel it’s you behind all this?

By evening, she had made a decision. If she couldn’t ask for help openly, she would ask quietly.

The kitchen was almost empty when she went to see Evelyn. She was sitting on a stool by the back door, quietly shelling peas into a bowl.

"Evelyn."

Evelyn looked at her and stopped.

"The morning I went to the restricted corridor with Austin. Who was in there?"

Evelyn set down the peas, wiped her hands and thought.

"I’ll ask," she said. "The kitchen girls deliver to that wing sometimes. Give me an hour."

Alina nodded.

Almost an hour later, Evelyn came to her with the information.

"A maid from Audrey’s household was cleaning that wing that morning. She was seen leaving shortly after you and the duke passed."

"Seen by whom?"

"The laundry girl. She said the maid looked like she was in a hurry."

Alina’s heart pounded.

"Who does the maid report to?"

"Audrey’s senior lady-in-waiting."

I knew it had something to do with Audrey.

"Can you find out more about the maid?"

Evelyn nodded.

"I’ll ask."

"Thank you."

Alina stepped out of her room, her thoughts already racing ahead of her. She had barely taken a few steps when Emeric appeared at her side.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Nothing."

"Something is wrong between you and the duke," he said. "Everyone can see it. Tell me what happened?"

Alina stopped and sighed.

"He thinks I betrayed his trust."

"Did you?"

"No," she emphasized.

"Then prove it."

"I’m trying but..." she trailed off.

"Can I help?"

She looked at him for a moment then nodded.

"I need the castle visitor logs. Everyone who came and went from Ravenmoor in the last week."

Emeric nodded without asking any questions.

"Uncle has access to administrative archives."

"Can you get them?"

"I’ll have them by morning."

"Emeric..."

"Don’t thank me. Just prove him wrong."

Then he left.

That night, Austin finally spoke to her after two days.

"The advance payments for the sewing circle were signed today. You’ll receive yourself first payment within a week."

She didn’t answer.

"Alina..."

"Goodnight."

It was the coldest word she had ever spoken to him. The silence stretched between them, heavy and unresolved.

"Is that all you’re going to say?" he asked.

"What else is there to say?"

"You could start with answering me."

She exhaled and turned onto her back, staring at the ceiling.

"I’m glad," she replied.

Silence again.

"Your father’s condition has improved," he said. "He has been discharged and is back home."

Alina turned towards him instantly.

"What?"

"The physician sent word this afternoon. He is stable."

"Thank you," she said, relieved. "I’m grateful but that doesn’t change anything else."

He sighed.

"I didn’t accuse you," he said. "I just questioned you."

"You questioned my loyalty," she replied.

"I had reason to..."

"I told you I didn’t do it."

"Alina...sometimes we don’t know..."

"Not again," she cut him off. "I really don’t have energy for this right now."

"You need to understand that there are certain things..."

"I don’t want to understand anything," she cut him off again. "I just want to prove my innocence and I’ll do it. Not for you but for myself."

The room fell silent again.

She turned away, staring at the wall while he lay back, staring at the ceiling. Neither of them spoke or slept.