Page 10 of The Duchess' Replacement

My goodness. Is that my voice?

Even though her voice was devoid of all emotion, she could admit that a small part of her did feel relieved she actually went through with this hasty marriage. Her reputation was salvaged for the most part. There was no more wondering, or worrying, when her day will come. It came. It went. She was now married.

She looked up to the man that was now her husband. The finality of the act was settling in and Sarah could feel that nervous laughter bubble within her again.

God in heaven, what did I just do?

Thankfully, before she could say anything, Charles took her by the elbow and escorted her to his waiting carriage.

“Wait!” It was the first time her voice reached above a whisper since she got to the church.

Panic coated her skin in a cold sweat. “I didn’t get to say goodbye to my mother.”

Charles looked into the empty cab before nodding and signaling her to go say goodbye.

Sarah picked up her skirts and trotted to her mother who was standing in the church’s doorway with Beatrice.

Sarah wrapped her arms tightly around her mother. “Goodbye, Mama. Thank you for all that you have done for me, especially these last few weeks.”

“Sarah. I can’t help but think we made a grave mistake. You don’t know this man. I feel like I just fed you to the wolves.” Charlotte pulled Sarah away and held her at arm’s length. “We’re still waiting to hear back from Derek. What if he finds something scandalous in his background?”

Sarah wrinkled her nose. “He didn’t find out anything when I was supposed to marry Eli-”

Beatrice snorted. “And look how well that turned out.”

Both Sarah and Charlotte’s attention snapped to Beatrice who simply shrugged at their shock. “I’m just saying what we’re all thinking.”

Charlotte scowled at her youngest. “We were not all thinking that.” She turned back to Sarah. “Although, she’s not wrong. We knew that boy had selfish tendencies and even Derek didn’t see it as an issue. Obviously, we were wrong. What if he’s wrong about the whole family. I mean, there have been rumors-”

Sarah hugged her mother again, cutting off her words. When she pulled away she kissed her mother’s cheeks.

“Trust the process, Mama.”

Charlotte frowned. “Have I ever told you how much I hate when you girls use my own words against me?”

The corners of Sarah’s lips tipped up in the corners. The smile felt odd but she took it as a slight victory that she had ability to form a smile at all.

“It wouldn’t have stopped me from saying it either way.” She looked over her shoulder to where her husband stood waiting. “I must be going, Mama. I love you.”

She turned to hug Beatrice. “I love you, too, dear sister. Try not to give Mama too much trouble.”

Beatrice smiled. “I’m not allowed to make promises I can’t keep.”

A small laugh escaped and Sarah had the sorry hope that that wasn’t the last time she laughed.

She took a moment to look at her mother and sister before turning and making her way back to the carriage.

Sarah had a shiver of familiarity as she walked towards the carriage and her waiting husband. He was staring at her, just as he did when she walked down the aisle.

Emerald eyes watched her every step as if he were a hunter afraid of scaring his prey. Sarah tilted her head and held it a little higher. Now that the ceremony was over and she was officially married she felt a bit lighter.

She no longer felt the weight of dread hanging over her. She was a Duchess now and that had to count for something.

Charles reached out his hand to help her into the carriage. She nodded as she took his warm hand and stepped into the carriage.

He followed after her and sat opposite her in the cab. He reached out of the window and tapped the roof, signaling the driver to move.

The carriage jostled to a start. Sarah watched as her mother and Beatrice disappeared from sight. Soon she couldn’t even see the church.

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