The sewing circle was as usual busy in the east garden. Alina was helping Lady Brennan when she looked up and saw Austin walking through the gate.
For a second, she thought she was hallucinating. Austin never came to the east garden.
He was in his training clothes. His shirt sleeves were rolled up and it looked like he had been riding. There was a hesitation on his face as if he had walked here without planning to and was only now realizing where he was.
The circle immediately froze when they followed Alina's gaze. But his eyes were fixed on Alina. He slowly walked towards them and cleared his throat before speaking.
"My shirt…" he said, like it was enough explanation. "Its button came off."
Alina stood before anyone could react. She covered the small distance between them and stood near him.
"Let me see," she said.
He held the fabric out slightly. The gap where the button should have been pulled the shirt open just enough to reveal the skin beneath.
