The Duke's Bed Warmer-Chapter 49: Who Deserves Austin?

Austin’s name still lingered in the room. Alina had said it for the first time and that too with her arms around him. Neither of them acknowledged it. He broke the silence first.

"The king’s private meetings are informal," he began. "He’ll offer you tea. Accept it. He’ll gesture to the chair across from him. Sit only after he does."

She listened to everything carefully.

"Don’t share information he doesn’t ask for. Answer his questions with honesty. He values honesty above almost everything."

"What does he want from me?" she asked.

"I don’t know."

"You were with him all morning. Didn’t he..."

"He didn’t mention it," Austin replied. "I learned about it from Harrington."

His eyes then went to her dress.

"It’s a good choice."

"Audrey would have said the blue."

"Audrey would have followed protocol. But the king doesn’t care about protocol in private meetings. He cares about people."

She nodded. It was time to go. He stepped aside and she walked towards the door.

"Alina."

She stopped.

"Whatever happens in there," he said softly. "You walk out of that room the same person you walked in as. No one gets to change that."

"Thank you," she replied and walked down the corridor towards the king’s sitting room.

She took a deep breath before knocking at the door.

"Come in."

She stepped inside and found the room smaller than she had expected. It was a formal sitting room with bookshelves and a small fireplace crackling in the corner. Two chairs were set by the window with a small table between them. Tea was already waiting for her.

He was sitting on one of the chairs, wearing a simple jacket instead of formal attire.

"Miss Ashworth. Sit."

She obeyed. He poured tea and handed the cup to her. She took it with slightly unsteady hands.

"You’re nervous," he said.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Good. Nervous people are honest. Comfortable people perform." He said and sipped his tea. "Tell me about yourself, Miss Ashworth."

She set the cup down and looked at him.

"My father is a bankrupt merchant. My mother died when I was four. I was sold to the Duke of Ravenmoor through a bed warmer contract to pay my father’s debts."

He listened without any reaction or judgement.

"How was your life before arriving at Ravenmoor?"

"A simple life," she replied. "My caretaker taught me to sew, to ride, to read. When we couldn’t afford servants, I taught myself cooking, cleaning, and running a household on nothing. I have learned to build things from nothing."

"What about Ravenmoor?" He asked. "Have you built anything here?"

She thought about the question for a minute before answering.

"Lady Brennan was lonely," she replied. "She isn’t anymore. Lady Marguerite’s marriage was suffering and it’s better now. The sewing circle gives twelve women a place to be just themselves."

"Very well," he replied. "Now, tell me about the duke. What kind of man is he?"

"He’s... complicated,"

"Everyone says that about Austin." He smiled. "Tell me something new."

She hesitated at first but then spoke with confidence.

"He is the most careful man I’ve ever met," she began. "He notices everything. He is also protective, not with announcements or gestures, but with actions that often go unnoticed."

He smiled.

"Yes, that’s Austin." He paused. "Miss Ashworth, my daughter has been engaged to Austin for three years."

"I know, Your Majesty."

"She has dedicated her life to this relationship. I think she loves Austin even more than me. If she were given a choice to choose between him and me, she’d choose him, I’m certain of it."

He laughed.

"Ravenmoor also can’t function without her. It’s Audrey who manages this household. No one can take her place."

The implication was clear.

"I’m not trying to take her place, Your Majesty," Alina said.

"I know you’re not," he said. "That’s what makes this complicated. If you were trying, I could stop you."

"What do you want me to do, Your Majesty?"

"I want you to answer my one question honestly."

"Sure."

"If I told you to leave Ravenmoor tomorrow...if I give you a house, an income, your father cared for and provided for and your freedom. Would you go?"

She froze. He was offering the exit she had demanded from Austin weeks ago.

Her mind screamed at her to say yes. This option had everything she wanted: freedom, comfort and safety.

"No," she replied. "I wouldn’t go."

"Why not?"

"Because leaving would be easier," she replied. "And I’ve never chosen easy. If I’ll go, I’ll go one my own terms."

He looked at her for a minute and then stood up. The conversation was over. She stood up as well.

She didn’t know what he had decided or why he had asked that question. She just knew she had answered honestly, and the king had truly seen her.

"Thank you for the tea, Your Majesty."

"Thank you for the honesty, Miss Ashworth."

He then turned to look out at Ravenmoor’s courtyard.

"Austin is a good man," he said. "Better than he thinks. My daughter deserves a good man and so do you. But the problem is that there’s only one of him."

He smiled.

Before she could reply, he spoke again.

"It was nice talking to you, Miss Ashworth. You may leave now."

She bowed and walked towards the door. Once outside, sne leaned against the door and finally breathed. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

She reached the great hall late. Everyone was already eating when she entered. The king had decided to eat in his own chambers. Everyone turned to look at her when she walked in.

"What do you think the king wanted?"Lady Pemberton whispered to Lady Hargrove.

"Maybe he is sending her away."

"One can hope." Lady Pemberton smiled.

Alina sat in her usual seat and picked up her fork. Marguerite grabbed her wrist under the table.

"Are you okay? What happened? What did he say?"

"He offered me tea." Alina took a bite of bread. "It was good."

"Alina..."

"He asked me some questions which I answered with honesty. That’s all."

She knew it wasn’t the full story but didn’t push. From his seat, Austin was watching her. She could feel the weight of his gaze. She looked up and their eyes met.

She gave him a small nod.

I’m okay.

He nodded back.

Good.

From her seat, Audrey watched the exchange but didn’t react. Instead, she picked up her wine glass and drained the glass in one long swallow.