Days passed. Austin and Alina hardly spoke to each other.
At meals, they avoided looking at each other. When they passed in the corridors, he looked straight ahead while she lowered her gaze to the floor. At night, he came in after she had already fallen asleep and left before she woke.
He paid more attention to Audrey now. He walked with her in the garden in the evenings and rode with her in the mornings.
Audrey still greeted Alina when they crossed paths. But the warmth was no longer there. She was polite but still felt distant.
And the whispers returned.
"The bed warmer is being treated like a bed warmer again."
"The duke finally remembered who she is."
"I heard the wedding announcement will be made soon."
Alina heard everything but didn't react. If there was one thing she had learned in Ravenmoor, it was how to wear indifference like armour, and she wore it perfectly.
