Page 2 of The Duchess' Replacement

Sarah chuckled. “Don’t worry, Mama, I don’t read the same books Beatrice reads. I’m more for the damsel in distress and the brave, strong hero who comes to save her.”

Beatrice rolled her eyes. “Correct and last time you lived out that scenario in your head you tried running away with that Byron boy. Thankfully His Grace stopped you or where would you be now?”

Sarah blushed. Bryon.

Her first love, or at least, her first foray into feelings she didn’t quite understand. She was always a bit embarrassed when she thought of how she acted, trying to run away in the night to be with him. She shook her head of the memory. The ignorance of youth, she laughed to herself.

“It’s no secret I am a romantic at heart. I’ve learned a lot since then. I’m willing to wait for those feeling to develop this time. Eli has been nothing but sweet and generous when he called on me. I’m excited to watch our relationship grow and blossom.” Sarah sighed and felt the warmth of promise settle within her. “It is my biggest dream that we develop as deep as your love with Papa, Mama.”

Charlotte’s eyes lined with tears. “It is mine as well, my dear. Mine as well.”

Beatrice looked outside and nudged Charlotte. “We’re here!”

Sarah followed Beatrice’s nod and saw the church come into view. This was it, the moment she’s been waiting for her entire life. She’s read countless stories about love and marriage and dreamt about the day when she’d have both.

She may not have love currently, but by the end of today she will have marriage. That’s something, right?

“You look absolutely stunning, Sarah.” Eleanor enveloped Sarah in a warm hug. Sarah sighed into her sister’s arms. She felt safe there and for a moment all her nerves settled and all was right in the world.

Sarah pulled away from her sister just in time to see Eleanor’s eye flitter to her husband, Derek. A crease formed in between Eleanor’s eyes, she looked worried.

Sarah looked between the two of them. “Is everything all right?” Sarah’s heart sank. “Is everything fine with the baby?”

At the mention of her daughter, Eleanor’s features softened. “Yes, everything is fine with her. Look, she’s here in the carriage.” Eleanor pointed to the small baby carriage a few steps away, tucked out of the sunlight streaming through the open door.

Sarah covered her mouth. “Oh goodness, I am so nervous for my wedding I didn’t even realize my beautiful niece was right next to you in her carriage.”

Sarah bent over the pram to gaze at the little cherub face of her niece. Angela was the spitting image of her father, but luckily for her, she had the unruly curly auburn hair of her mother. She’ll most likely be a spitfire, like her mother, as well.

Sarah righted herself and turned to the rest of her family, who was now lined up facing her. Sarah got the uneasy sensation she was standing in front of a firing squad. Tension hung heavy in the air between them.

“Why are you all looking at me like that?”

She went down the line from Charlotte, to Beatrice, to Eleanor, finally landing on Derek. The Duke was not known for being verbose so in this divine moment he just nodded to the aisle and alter behind her.

She turned to look down the aisle where she found the alter empty.

She looked back to her family. “Where is Eli?”

All eyes jump around, looking everywhere but at Sarah.

Confusion and dread swam in her blood but she pushed them away. She’s read countless books like this.Of course, she thought.

“He must be running late.” She laughed. “Men never know what’s going on. Don’t you say that all the time, Eleanor? That if you weren’t there Derek wouldn’t know when to get dressed in the morning?”

Eleanor’s face turned a bright pink. “I did not say that!” She exclaimed the same time Derek sputtered and looked at his wife.

Eleanor took a hold of the baby carriage and nodded to the front of the church. “I think it’s time we take our seats, don’t you dear? Mother,” she looked to Charlotte. “Are you coming?”

Sarah watched Eleanor walk away, pushing the carriage, with a grumbling Duke at her heels.

Charlotte stopped in front of her daughter and kissed her cheek. “Remember, all will be well, just trust the process.”

Sarah smiled, willing the apprehension to recede back to wherever it came from. “I know, Mama. I’ve heard you say that to Eleanor a million times and it all worked out for her. Oh!” Sarah had a thought. “There is a side door up by the alter, perhaps he’s just out there until I get up there. Has anyone checked?”

Charlotte opened her mouth and closed it again. She looked down the aisle to Derek and Eleanor who were engaged in a quiet, yet no doubt heated, conversation.

Charlotte looked back to Sarah, who was at the main door looking out at the carriage meant to take her and her new husband to their home afterward.

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