The Duke's Bed Warmer

Chapter 96: Bandaged Hand

Alina was only a few steps away from Emeric when suddenly Austin appeared in front of her. He blocked her path from the rest of the hall.

Dorian was behind her watching them. She mouthed him to go back, but he didn’t move. She rolled her eyes and was about to say something when her eyes dropped to his injured hand.

She raised her brows as she noticed a white napkin wrapped around it. A faint red stain was already seeping through the cloth.

"You’re hurt," she said, worried.

"It’s nothing."

She looked at the napkin again.

"There’s blood on your hand."

"The glass broke and...."

"You cut your hand on glass?"

"It was defective."

She glared at him.

"Austin...you cut your hand while I was dancing."

"Strange coincidence, right?" he smiled.

"Or jealousy?" she asked.

He didn’t answer. She shook her head muttering something under her breath and reached for his hand. He didn’t stop her as if he was waiting for her to do it.

She turned his wrist slightly and frowned. The napkin was wrapped poorly. The cut was small but deep.

"Defective glass," she murmured, still looking at the cut. "Sure."

Aware of Dorian’s gaze, she let go of his hand, and walked away towards Emeric. Austin kept standing there for a long time, feeling the faint touch of her fingers through the napkin.

Emeric leaned against the wall, watching everyone carefully, like always.

"How was the dance?" he asked.

"Fine."

"So...it means it was complicated and you don’t want to explain."

She ignored him and picked up a glass of wine from the table and took a sip. The wine was indeed mediocre.

"Emeric, tell me something boring."

"Boring?"

"Yes. About the land deeds...the archives, anything. Something that has nothing to do with princes, dukes, glasses, or dancing."

"Glasses?"

Alina took another sip. He understood immediately and obliged. He told her the most boring and funny stories ever, making her laugh again and again.

"Thank you," she said when he finished the last story. "For being the one person in this castle who makes me feel normal."

"You’re not normal, Alina," he said. "You’re terrifying. But I appreciate the compliment."

She sipped her wine and continued the conversation. Her eyes drifted a few times across the hall towards Austin and his hand. Emeric noticed but said nothing. He was used to this.

The party was slowly coming to an end. Guests started leaving and the noise faded. Alina set down her empty glass, said goodnight to Emeric, and walked towards the exit.

She was passing the windows when Dorian’s voice stopped her.

"Miss Ashworth."

He stood by the window, already waiting for her.

"A lovely evening," he said. "The advisor is satisfied."

"Audrey did a good job."

"She always does," he replied. Then his tone changed. "By the way...I noticed something."

"What?"

"Austin intercepted you right after you left the dance floor."

Alina kept her face steady.

"I also noticed his hand was bandaged with a napkin," Dorian continued. "He wasn’t injured at the start of the evening. Something must have happened while you and I were dancing."

"Apparently, he broke a glass."

"Broke a glass?" he repeated. "While we were dancing?"

Alina nodded.

"And then he came straight to you," he said. "I also saw you touching his hand."

Alina let out a quiet breath.

"Old habits," she replied. "We were close just a few days ago. I cared about him. That protective instinct doesn’t just disappear overnight...just because I know it began with a lie and he has been betraying me all along."

Dorian’s expression softened.

"I understand. You were attached to him. Feelings don’t vanish instantly. It takes time."

Alina nodded, grateful to him for understanding.

"Astoria could give you that time and clarity."

"I know."

"We should talk again when there aren’t so many ears around. I’ll send you a message," he said.

"Sure."

"Goodnight, Miss Ashworth."

"Goodnight."

She watched him walk away down the guest wing corridor. She stood alone at the window for a moment, took a deep breath and walked towards Austin’s room.

When she stepped inside, she saw Austin standing by the window. His injured hand was on his side while the other rested on the sill. He turned as soon as she entered.

"Report," he said.

Alina told him everything including the conversation at the window. He listened carefully without interrupting her. When she finished, he just nodded.

"I’ll report this to Maren since nothing major happened."

Alina nodded. Then her gaze dropped to his hand. The napkin was literally slipping now from his hand. It had turned completely red.

"Give me your hand," she said.

"Huh?"

"Your injured hand. That wrapping is terrible. I know you did it yourself with your another hand because asking for help is below you," she almost scolded her. "Let me wrap it properly."

He held it out. She unwrapped the napkin carefully. Then she went to the washstand and returned with clean water and a proper bandage.

She held his hand and cleaned the cut gently. He watched her face as she tended his wound.

Then she wrapped the bandage around the cut carefully.

She then tied the bandage and held his hand between both of hers for a moment.

Then, surprisingly, she lifted it slowly and pressed her lips lightly on the bandage, right over the cut.

Austin froze. She lowered his hand but kept holding it.

"You just..." he trailed off.

"I just what?"

His eyes that were fixed on her just a few seconds ago were avoiding her now.

Old Austin is back!

She smiled.

"I saw you bleeding because of me," she said quietly. "And I didn’t like it."

His eyes snapped to hers immediately.

"I have been injured because of you before as well...but you didn’t...didn’t do this then."

"Are you complaining?" she laughed.

"I’m confused," he admitted. "What changed?"

Alina pressed his hand tighter.

"Before I was confused as well...but now things are becoming clear."

His fingers moved slightly in her hold, testing whether she would let go. She didn’t.

"You kissed my hand," he said. "That’s not something small."

She smiled nervously.

"Then don’t get hurt because of me again," she replied. "It seems I react...more strongly than I thought."

"And if I do?"

"Then you’ll have to deal with my reactions," she replied.

Slowly, his fingers closed around hers, holding her hand a little more tighter.

"Careful," he murmured. "You’re starting something you might not be able to stop."

Alina’s heart skipped, but she didn’t pull back.

"Maybe I don’t want to stop."