The Duke's Bed Warmer

Chapter 81: The Proposal

Over the next few days, Dorian became a constant present. It wasn’t intrusive but yet impossible to ignore.

He asked questions to Alina during the meals in front of everyone, began walking the main garden at the same hour she crossed it on her way to the sewing circle.

He gifted her another book. The book "Eastern Love Poetry Collection" came to Alina with a note:

The third poem reminded me of our conversation.

It wasn’t an overt gesture. He didn’t demand her attention....instead, he had made his presence feltnatural and inevitable.

Everyone in the castle noticed. The sewing circle was the first one to talk about it.

"The prince gave you a poetry book?" Marguerite asked.

"Yes," Alina replied. "It’s an eastern verse meant for cultural exchange."

"Cultural exchange doesn’t come with handwritten notes about what reminded him of you."

"The kitchen staff says he asked what you like to eat," Evelyn added. "He wanted a list."

"He’s studying you," Lady Talbot said. "The books test your intellect. The poetry tests your emotions and the food tests your habits. By next week, he’ll know your dress size."

"Lady Talbot..."

"I’m a merchant’s wife, Alina. I know a buyer when I see one."

Alina had no answer. Because she was right.

Her gaze dropped to the book in her lap, open to the third poem.

It was about a woman who walked through gardens without bowing to anyone. She kept that to herself.

That afternoon, Alina careied a pastry for Cecily.

"The prince gave me a poetry book," Alina began the conversation.

"Poetry?"

"Love Poetry...to be exact."

"What does Austin feel about this?"

"Austin is cold and angry these days. He doesn’t talk about Dorian at all. He argues with him during meals politely but everyone can see how much he dislikes him."

"It means he’s thinking about the prince constantly. He always does this when something scares him, he doesn’t talk about it," Cecily said. "By now, he will have asked Maren for a full intelligence report on him. He probably knows how many times he blinks in a minute."

"Jealousy?

"Austin doesn’t know it’s jealousy. He thinks it’s threat assessment," Cecily replied. "When he was twelve, he was jealous of father’s hunting master. He responded by reorganizing the entire stable operation. He thought he was being efficient. But he was a jealous boy who couldn’t say ’I want your attention.’l

Alina pressed her palm on the door.

"What should I do?"

"Be yourself. Stay where he can see you. And when he reaches for you...reach back."

"I will," Alina replied.

A formal reception for the visiting Astorian delegation was organizes in the evening by Audrey.

Audrey was amazing. She managed the entire dinner with effortless grace. She translated, entertained and charmed everyone like a perfect duchess.

While Audrey was busy being a perfect hostess, Alina was with Austin, talking to him about the delicious food.

Dorian approached them and Austin’s hand instinctively moved to Alina’s waist.

"Your Grace," Dorian bowed slightly. "A magnificent reception. The duchess...forgive me...the princess...has outdone herself."

"I’ll convey your compliments," Austin replied.

"I wonder...," Dorian’s eyes moved to Alina. "Would you permit me to walk with Miss Ashworth? The garden during sunset is said to be very beautiful."

Austin’s hand tightened on her waist. Then, he let it go.

"That’s for Alina to decide."

The words settled into the air. He had used her first name, Alina, in front of everyone. And had given her the choice to make her decision herself.

Dorian smile deepened as he extended his arm.

"Miss Ashworth?"

Alina glanced at Austin. He looked calm and composed but his eyes betrayed him. She saw the restraint, the effort of controlling himself in them.

But she didn’t want any drama. So she took Dorian’s arm and walked towards the garden. Audrey appeared beside Austin immediately.

"You’re allowing a foreign prince to court your property," she said.

"She is not my property."

"The contract says otherwise."

Austin chuckled.

"The contract says a lot of things," he replied m. "She’ll I obey all of them?"

The smile on Audrey’s face disappeared. Austin had never been this blunt to her before. Before she could say anything, he walked away.

Dorian took Alina to the main garden. Sunset streched across the sky, making everything surreally beautiful.

"It seems the rumors were correct," Dorian said. "This place is beautiful."

Alina hardly heard him. Her mind was stuck on the look in Austin’s eyes when she had walked away.

Did I make a mistake?

"Miss Ashworth," Dorian stopped by the rose beds.

Alina snapped back into the reality.

"I want to be honest with you."

Alina raised her brow.

"People who announce honesty are usually about to be strategic."

He laughed.

"Fair enough. Then I’ll be strategically honest," he said. "I find you amazing. Everything about you is...unusual but in the best way. I genuinely like you."

She studied him. He was either telling the truth or he was the best liar she had ever met. She wasn’t sure. Moreover, in this castle, these both categories overlapped.

"I appreciate your honesty. Though I don’t believe you."

He smile didn’t waver.

"See...that’s why I find you amazing," he said. "You’re so different from the others. And trust takes time. I’m a patient man."

"I’m glad you took this positively," Alina replied as they walked back to the reception hall.

When they reached the entrance, Dorian bowed slightly and walked to his delegation. Alina saw Austin standing alone at the head table and went to him.

"How was the walk?" he asked.

"Beautiful," she replied. "I’ve to admit he is very charming."

His hands clenched.

"But...he is not you."

The tension broke. He loosened his hands and looked at her with surprise. His hand returned to her waist and pulled her closer.

Everyone watched the bed warmer standing with the Duke of Ravenmoor at the head table, his hand resting on her waist, inches apart from each other.

Alina was standing at the place and position that belonged to Audrey. That was meant for the duchess.

Audrey’s composure finally cracked and she left the hall, her lady-in-waiting, following her.

"Write a letter to my father immediately," Audrey ordered, as soon as she stepped inside her room.

Her lady-in-waiting scrambled for pen and paper.

"What shall I write, Your Highness?"

"Tell him that time is running out. If this doesn’t stop...then I’ll be forced to do something I really don’t want to."