The Duke's Bed Warmer

Chapter 86: Answer To Dorian

"I’m sorry," she said quietly. "About everything I said. I said all those things in the fit of anger...and I’m really really sorry for that."

Her apology wasn’t rushed or defensive. Austin could feel her honesty and sincerity in her words and see it on her face.

"And...I’m sorry about the contract threat. I shouldn’t have said that either."

Relief flooded on her face.

"I guess we are both terrible when it comes to words," she said as she tried to smile.

"I agree."

Then he reached for the scattered papers agai k released, and she did the same. They gathered them in silence and stood up together.

"You’re fired," he said.

"Huh?"

"From being my steward," he titled his face. "Because Harrington’s back will miraculously recover by tomorrow."

She laughed.

"Also...," he added. "I prefer the chronological system. Inform Harrington that the alphabetical arrangement is no longer acceptable."

"Of course," she said, with a hint of pride in her voice.

She then took the afternoon reports and delivered them to the right office this time. When she returned, she sat across from him, picked up a pen, and began reading a document.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"You need a response to Dorian’s trade proposal," she replied, already halfway through the page. "I noticed that section four contradicts with section eleven. Either it’s an error, or it is intentional."

He leaned back slightly.

"So...you’re no longer my steward?"

"You fired me, remember?" she said without looking up. "I’m your working partner right now. But if you want I can do both."

"Please. Don’t be a steward again."

He smiled and returned to his work.

By the time the final report was delivered, she was exhausted. She needed her bed. She was heading towards her room when Dorian appeared out of nowhere, and began walking with her.

"Miss Ashworth...I need to apologize to you."

"For what?"

"My gifts caused you trouble. But trust me...that was not my intention. I wanted to show my appreciation, not create conflict between you and Austin."

She stopped walking and turned at him. He looked genuinely concerned.

"It’s alright."

"No...it’s not," he replied gently, as they resumed walking. "Though I must admit...I didn’t expect such a reaction from him. But then...he has always been possessive and controlling."

She stiffened slightly.

"I mean...he has been engaged to Audrey for three years and yet he keeps bed warmers," he went on. "I find this selfish. He won’t marry Audrey and won’t release you. He is keeping both of you hanging because it benefits him."

"Stop. You don’t know him," Alina said coldly.

She had to control herself because he was a prince.

"I know his pattern. He’s had bed warmers before you, Miss Ashworth. And he discarded them when they were no longer useful or interesting. What makes you sure you’re different?"

His words were meant to make her believe she was temporary and the contract was the only thing keeping her here.

"Are you finished?" she asked, as she stopped and looked at him.

"I’m just being honest with you."

"Stop lying," she said. "You’re offering sympathy with one hand and burying a knife with the other."

His composure cracked.

"What do..."

"You claim to give me a world where women are free," she said, anger rising in her voice. "But you’re not doing that because you care about me. You’re offering it because of your own selfish reasons."

Dorian stared at her in disbelief. He had been charming women in courts for a decade, and nobody had ever called him out.

"Miss Ashworth..."

"I am not finished," she took a step forward. "You know...you’re brilliant in manipulation even better than Audrey. But you made one mistake."

"Huh?"

"You assumed the bed warmer was not smart enough to crack you. But let me tell you...I cracked you the moment we had our first conversation."

Dorian went still but slowly regained his composure.

"This conversation is over," he said.

A small, humourless laugh touched her lips.

"Goodnight, Prince Dorian. Thank you for the apology. But my answer will always be no to whatever you offer."

Dorian remained standing there in shock as she walked to her room.

Few days passed quickly and it was time for Elspeth to go back.

"I heard you resolved things with His Grace," Elspeth said with a knowing smile.

Alina huffed.

"I had to become his steward for a day and I was terrible," she smiled. "He had no other option."

Elspeth laughed.

"You know...your mother was like that as well. She would walk into a room and make it impossible for others to ignore her."

"Everyone keeps saying I’m like my mother...I wish I had known her for longer," she smiled sadly.

Elspeth pulled her into an embrace.

"You carry her with you, in every stubborn and brave choice you make."

Alina smiled and pulled away.

"Come on, let’s go. The carriage must be waiting."

They walked together to the courtyard. The carriage was ready.

"Come back," Alina said. "Whenever you want. His Grace won’t mind."

Elspeth cupped her face.

"Take care of yourself. You’re living too many lives simultaneously."

"I’m strong. Don’t worry."

"And don’t fight with him like he is your enemy. He is the person who cares for you the most in this castle. Remember that?"

"I know," Alina nodded.

Elspeth kissed her forehead and sat in the carriage. They waved at each other as it rolled away.

She had barely reached the corridor when a servant approached her.

"Miss Ashworth. Maren is waiting for you."

Alina frowned.

It isn’t Thursday yet. So why is she calling me?

"I have some news for you," Maren said as soon as Alina entered her office.

"What happened?"

"Apparently, Audrey wrote a letter to her father on the night of the reception. She sent that letter through a private courier."

"And you intercepted it?"

"I intercept everything. That’s why I don’t sleep," Maren replied as she opened a file. "The message was brief:

The situation is deteriorating. Alina’s position is strengthening. If my wedding is not announced soon, I will be forced to do something I don’t want to do.

"What does the last line mean?" Alina asked.

"I don’t know yet. But Audrey using that line to her father is significant. She is not asking for his help. She is warning him that if he doesn’t intervene, she’ll do something on her own. And the last time, she did something like that, you were accused of leaking intelligence."

A chill ran down Alina’s spine.

"What should I do then?"

"Stay close to Austin and stop accepting gifts from foreign princes."

Alina sighed.

"Understood."