Page 64 of The Duchess' Replacement

“It was a rabbit.” Nora snorted.

“What?” Charles looked back to Nora. “A rabbit did this?”

Sarah huffed out a sigh and took his arm, pulling his focus back to her. “It wasn’t a rabbit.” She glanced around him and shook her head in jest towards Nora.

“We were walking and we happened upon the pond. Nora said it was one of her favorite spots on the estate so we walked towards it. Neither one of us realized there was a decline and I tripped and fell on the way down.”

“On the way up, too.” Nora chimed in from behind him.

Charles looked towards his sister in confusion. Who was this sassy chit? He had never heard Nora speak so openly and candidly with such mirth and spirit. His eyes darted back to Sarah who was trying not to laugh.

“Yes, thank you, Nora, for reminding me.” She widened her eyes and lifted a shoulder. “I also fell walking back up the hill. What can I say? I am a woman of many talents.” Her self-deprecating laugh danced along his skin.

“And the rabbit?” Charles questioned, rubbing his temples. These women were going to be the death of him.

Sarah wrinkled her nose. “Oh, that. That was just the monster in the bush. We took care of him, didn’t we, Nora?”

He could see Nora shaking her head vigorously out of the corner of his eye.

Charles heaved out a sigh and looked up to the ceiling. He was losing control of the situation very quickly. Although, after recalling their entire encounter in his mind, he wasn’t sure he ever had it.

Time to rectify that.

“Honora, please go to your room. We’ll talk about this more tomorrow.” He pointed to the steps.

Nora opened her mouth to argue but Charles raised his hand to stop her.

“I’ll have Samuels bring up your dinner. You will eat in your room tonight. Now, go.”

Nora’s shoulders dropped and Charles had to admit he rather missed her little rebellious streak from earlier. It was nice to see some life within her eyes, even if it was at his expense.

Nonetheless, she knew the rule about being out after dark and she broke it. “Honora.” He warned.

She dipped her head and walked past Charles. She walked up to Sarah and wrapped her arms around her. He could tell she whispered something in Sarah’s ear that had Sarah’s eyes shining.

Charles dropped his eyes to allow them their moment.

He couldn’t help but wonder what secret his sister shared with his wife. A part of him acknowledged he wished he could be her confidant, but that was not his role. His role was one of protector and sometimes that meant being the bad guy.

Nora left Sarah’s embrace and made her way up the steps. He turned his focus on his wife.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” The words came out more gruff than he wanted. The truth was seeing her in such disarray alarmed him more than he cared to admit. He didn’t see any rips or tears, which was miraculous considering the dirt and stains that covered her.

Sarah looked down at her disheveled state. “I promise, it looks worse than it is. I’m made of sturdier things than most women.”

Her eyes flashed as the words left her mouth, leaving Charles with a tightening in his gut.

He took a step towards her. Standing this close to her, Sarah had to lift her head to keep eye contact.

Their breaths mingled as they looked at each other. “Follow me.”

Sarah’s pupils dilated at the command.

Charles turned on his heel and began walking towards the steps. He was pleased to hear her quick footsteps behind him.

It seems she was just as eager as he was to get to her punishment.

“Follow me,” was all he had to say and Sarah could feel the warmth spread throughout her body.

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