The Duke's Bed Warmer-Chapter 24: Knowing Her Place

Alina finally opened the door and saw Austin standing outside, still slightly unsteady from the wine.

She did not step aside or invite him in. She stayed where she was, her arms wrapped around herself, looking at him with quiet resolve.

"I don’t want to go with you," she said. "I want to stay in my room tonight...Please."

She had never asked him for anything before. She had endured whispers, judgment, and humiliation with her chin up.

But now she was asking, almost begging and she hated herself for it. But she really didn’t want to be near him tonight, after everything that had happened. She wanted to be alone to process her thoughts.

He froze. The faint unsteadiness in his posture disappeared.

"Please," she said again, softer this time.

He nodded and stepped back.

"Goodnight, Alina."

He turned and walked away without another word.

Meanwhile, in her chambers, Audrey sat at her writing desk. She dipped her quill into ink and began to write.

I need information on a woman residing at Ravenmoor. Her name is Alina Ashworth. I need every detail of her family, her history, her debts, and her connections. I want to know about all her rumours, all scandals, and all secrets that may be buried. I want to know every single thing about her and soon.

Princess Audrey.

She sealed the letter and stared at it. She did not know what she would do with the information once she had it. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to destroy the woman who had stolen Austin’s attention or understand her better.

But she knew she could no longer be the woman who watched and waited in silence.

The next morning, Alina did not go to the great hall for breakfast. Austin noticed her empty chair for a second, then looked away.

He continued with his breakfast and conversations as usual. But just as breakfast was nearing its end, he set down his fork.

"Lady Talbot."

She looked up immediately.

"Your Grace?"

"Miss Ashworth," he said, calmly. "Where is she?"

The table fell silent suddenly. Even the servants paused, their hands frozen on the plates they were clearing.

The duke has never asked about his bed warmer publicly before.

"She wasn’t feeling well," Lady Talbot replied. "She wanted to rest."

Austin nodded, sipped his tea and moved on.

But the whispers had already begun.

After breakfast, Austin walked through the corridors towards her room. He was sober now, but his hand was still a bit unsteady when he knocked at her door. Before he could call her name, the room opened.

Alina stood in the doorway, her hair loose, wearing a simple, unadorned dress. She was looking at the floor instead of him.

He stepped inside before she could stop him, and closed the door behind him.

"Are you unwell?" he asked.

She shook her head.

"I’m fine."

"You told Lady Talbot you were...unwell."

"I lied," she confessed. "I didn’t want to see anyone."

He looked at her for a moment, before speaking again.

"I want to talk to you about last night."

She didn’t answer. Her eyes drifted towards the room’s window.

"I take full responsibility for what happened last night," he said. "It shouldn’t have happened. The way I acted...the things I said...it was wrong of me. I was drunk, and I wasn’t thinking straight, but that’s not an excuse. It was my mistake."

She still didn’t move or say anything.

"I want to forget it happened," he continued. "I want us to go back to how things were before. Before the party, before..." He couldn’t finish. "I want us to live as before."

Alina finally looked at him.

"Perfect," she said. "I didn’t take it seriously either."

"Alina..."

"I pushed you away, didn’t I?" She said calmly. "I know my place in this castle and in your life. I know what I am to you."

"It’s not..."

"I’m the woman you bought to warm your bed." She stepped back. "I’m the contract you keep everyone reminding about. I’m the property you quote when you want me to stay where you put me."

Her voice remained steady, but her hands were shaking behind her back. He could see the tremor in her shoulders, how her fingers were gripping each other tightly, and how much effort it was taking her to stand still.

"I would never think of doing anything with a man who bought me," she said. "Who owns me. Who hurts his own fiancée, the woman who has loved him since she was a child, by almost kissing the woman he bought? The woman who is nothing but a property."

He clenched his hands. The words fell between them like stones.

"You aren’t understanding..."

"I understand perfectly." She lifted her chin. "I know my place. You don’t need to worry about me forgetting it again."

He did not move or raise his voice. He just looked at her but she looked away immediately, neither of them speaking.

"It’s good," he said finally. "That you know your place."

She flinched and he walked towards the door. His hand was on the handle when he spoke again without looking back.

"And you don’t need to worry about Audrey," he said. "She is my responsibility. She is the woman I am going to marry...and I know how to make her happy."

Then he opened the door and left.

Alina stayed where she stood, listening. She waited until his footsteps faded down the corridor, until she was sure he was gone.

Silence filled the room. She sat on the edge of her bed, her hands resting in her lap. For a moment, she just stared ahead.

Then she lifted one hand to her mouth, pressing it there as if to hold something back. She closed her eyes, and finally, quietly, she broke down.

This is what I am...What I have always been.

A contract and a convenience. Something to be set aside. I knew that... didn’t I? Then why am I crying?