The Duke's Bed Warmer-Chapter 22: Noticing Everything About You

Alina looked at his hand, then at his face. The entire room was watching. She hesitated. Austin’s eyes were locked on hers.

"I don’t dance," he said quietly. "Audrey taught me when we were children. She says I still step on toes. You’ll have to warn me if I’m about to embarrass myself."

A small smile touched her lips and she took his hand. He led her onto the dance floor, his hand resting on her waist.

The touch felt electric. The space between them suddenly felt too small. She moved with him, following his lead.

"You’re good at this," he said.

"Are you surprised?"

"I’m surprised that I’m not falling."

She laughed softly.

"Audrey said you were terrible."

"I am terrible. You’re just very good at not letting me step on you." He turned her, and when she faced him again, his face was closer than before.

"She taught me when we were seven.," he continued. "I stepped on her feet so many times she cried. She made me practice for a week before she’d dance with me again."

"You were a difficult student."

"I was a difficult everything." He spun her again. The room blurred around her, and this time his voice was lower. "She has always been patient with me."

Across the room, Audrey stood where he had left her. Lady Pemberton was whispering something in her ear but Audrey shook her head. A moment later, she turned and walked towards the door.

Soon, the music slowed and the dance ended, but Austin didn’t let go of her hand. Instead, he led her across the ballroom towards the delegation.

"Ambassador Vane," Austin said. "May I introduce my companion, Miss Alina Ashworth?"

The ambassador bowed.

"Miss Ashworth. Pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure is all mine," Alina replied with a polite smile.

The ambassador’s wife stepped forward, her eyes lingering on Alina’s dress.

"Miss Ashworth, your dress is extraordinary. The design is remarkable."

"Thank you. I altered it myself."

"You altered your own dress?" The ambassador’s wife was impressed. "Where did you learn?"

"My caretaker taught me," Alina replied. "She believed a woman should be able to make anything she needed."

The ambassador and his wife exchanged a glance.

"The duke is fortunate to have you as his companion," the ambassador said. "A woman who can make her own luck is worth more than any alliance."

Alina felt Austin’s hand move to her back. She smiled at the ambassador and made a gracious remark about the southern territories and their famous wool, something that made the ambassador’s wife laugh. She won them over with her charm and wit.

Later, Austin was called away by his ministers to discuss about the grain deal. Alina was left alone again but a moment later, a familiar hand touched her arm.

"Alina."

She turned to see Lady Talbot.

"Audrey left," Lady Talbot informed her.

Alina’s heart tightened.

"What?" She looked around, searching for her.

"About halfway through the dance." Lady Talbot frowned. "Lady Pemberton tried to follow her, but Audrey told her to leave her alone. I’ve never seen her like that. She is always so controlled."

"Should I go to her?" Alina asked.

Lady Talbot shook her head.

"Not tonight. She may need some space. Talk to her tomorrow."

Alina nodded, though her eyes kept drifting towards the door.

The party ended around midnight. Alina walked back to her room alone. Austin was still with the delegation, drinking and laughing.

She had thought about waiting for him since she was his date at the party, but her feet were aching and her head was spinning. She needed rest.

After changing her clothes, she walked to Austin’s room and sat in the chair by the window, looking out at the moon. Hours passed and eventually, the door opened.

Austin stumbled in.

He was drunk. She had never seen him drunk before. His coat was open, hanging over his shirt and his hair had fallen on his face.

When he saw her, he smiled.

"Alina."

She stood and rushed towards him as he stumbled. Her hands pressed against his chest, to steady him. But he caught her, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her so close that she could smell the wine lingering on his breath.

"You looked..." He swallowed, his eyes moving over her face, her hair, her shoulders. "In that dress..."

"It was just a normal dress."

He shook his head.

"You altered it," he murmured. "You made it yours."

"You noticed it or you only realized it when I mentioned it to Lady Vane?"

He smiled.

"I notice everything about you."

His fingers reached out to her face, tracing her cheekbone slowly, as if he was memorizing her by touch. They moved down her jaw and stopped at the corner of her lips.

She grabbed his wrist.

"Austin...You’re drunk."

He gently put his finger on her lips.

"I’m a duke. You can’t stop me."

She shook her head, knowing he was probably too drunk to think straight and turned to walk away from him. But he grabbed her.

His arms wrapped around her from behind, one across her ribs, the other at her waist.

Her back collided with his chest. She could feel his heartbeat against her spine, faster than she had expected, her shoulders against his, her hips against his thighs, his breath in her hair, and his body heat seeping through her.

She gasped.

"You think I don’t see you," His lips brushed her ear as he spoke. "I know you steal the blanket when you’re cold. I know you talk to yourself when you think no one is listening.

Her heart pounded wildly. His hand then slid down her arm.

"I know you cried after the tea party because of Audrey. Because you thought you hurt her...when you didn’t mean to"

Her body was trembling now. His hands then moved to her waist and he turned her around.

Her hands rested on his chest and his hands stayed on her waist. Their faces were just inches apart from each other. His gaze dropped to her lips, and then back to her eyes.

"Tell me to stop," he whispered. "Tell me to stop and I will."

She didn’t reply. He moved closer and she closed her eyes. He then leaned closer, until his lips were almost on hers.