She did not know where to look. ‘Of course. It’s just that… our engagement is not even official yet. If we were to change our minds—’
‘Very well.’ He waved a hand in her direction. ‘Off you go.’
She could see she had wounded his pride. ‘It was an enjoyable dinner,’ she lied. ‘I hope we can do it again.’
He lifted his gaze to her. ‘Perhaps next time you will eat.’
Nausea rolled through her stomach in place of food. Curtsying, she headed for the door.
Astin turned to her when she stepped out into the corridor, eyes moving over her.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asked as the door clicked shut behind her.
She closed the distance between them, then whispered, ‘Am I expected to lie with himbeforewe’re wed?’
Astin pulled her away from the door, nodding at the defender on duty as they fled. He waited until they were out of earshot before saying, ‘You don’t have to do anything—yet.’
‘Yet?’ she asked.
His eyes went to her. ‘If you marry the king, you can be sure the entire kingdom will be waiting for an heir.’
She was silent a moment. ‘The offer threw me. I think I hurt his feelings.’
‘He’ll live.’
‘Perhaps I should have said yes, find out what I’m getting myself into.’
Astin tripped on his own foot, then looked accusingly at the floor behind him. His expression was eerily stern beneath the yellow glow of torches. ‘If youwantto share his bed, that’s another matter.’
‘I don’twantto. It’s just that I can’t think of any examples in history where women have captured a king’s heart with clever ideas on how to help the poor.’
‘Lifting one’s skirts is a classic technique.’
They arrived outside her bedchamber, and she turned to face him. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘For what?’
‘For using you in place of sisters. I’ve no one else to talk to except Queen Fayre, but this particular topic might be somewhat awkward.’
He looked off down the corridor. ‘As opposed to this very comfortable conversation?’
She suppressed a smile. ‘If I do wed the king, then I’ll have my ladies-in-waiting to bother instead.’
‘Just be careful who you trust.’
Her eyebrows rose. ‘I wouldn’t select women I didn’t trust.’
‘You likely won’t select them at all. The women usually come from noble families in favour with the king. I wouldn’t count them as friends just yet.’
She had assumed she would have some say. ‘I had thought Eda would join me here, but that might be a stretch.’
‘Because she’s mute?’
‘Because she despises the king and walks around heavily armed at all times.’
Astin crossed his arms, studying her. ‘And with Blake desperate for a child, you’ll have no luck luring her away from Harlan.’
Lyndal blinked. ‘What did you say?’’
