Alina decided to spend the morning in the garden with Lady Talbot, hoping to distract herself from the incident with Lord Fenton.
Gardening was Lady Talbot's hobby. Alina found it surprisingly calming. With her hands buried in the soil, her knees on the ground, and the warmth of the sun on her back, she could almost pretend she was just a woman in a garden, and not a bed warmer in a castle.
Lady Talbot was pruning roses when she spoke.
"The whole castle is whispering," she said, without looking up. "About the duke's closeness with you. First the riding, and now Lord Fenton's reassignment."
Alina's hands froze in the soil.
"It's nothing like that," she said. "He is just protective of his property, and apparently the narrative."
Lady Talbot looked at her.
"I don't believe you."
Alina opened her mouth to argue, but Lady Talbot continued.
