Page 75 of The Duchess' Replacement

Charles, Nora, and Sarah laid in compatible silence, digesting their food and listening to the sounds of nature around them.

Each of them were laying on a section of the wide spread blanket, remnants of their lunch littered in between them.

Sarah turned her head to look at Charles. He was on his back, with his hands resting underneath his head. His eyes were closed and he looked so relaxed. Sarah’s heart squeezed at the sight. She couldn’t remember a time, if ever, when he looked this peaceful.

He was always on edge, waiting for something to happen. To see him in such a serene state made her somewhat emotional.

Smiling to herself she turned her head and found a pair of wide green eyes staring back at her.

“Oh. Nora! You scared me.” Sarah chuckled.

“I think I want to go pick some flowers over there.” Nora said as she sat up and pointed across the lake.

Sarah joined her by sitting up. “I don’t see why that would be a problem.”

Nora leaned over and nodded her head towards her brother.

Sarah looked at her in confusion before she realized Nora’s intention. “Oh. Right.” Sarah leaned over and poked Charles in the stomach.

“Ow!” Charles scowled as he rubbed his stomach, his eyes remaining closed. “Has anyone ever told you, you have pointy fingers?” Charles grumbled.

Sarah looked at her finger. “What an odd thing to say. Aren’t all fingers pointy?”

Nora snorted. Both women looked at their fingers then at each other as a fit of giggles overtook them.

Charles groaned. “Will you stop that noise? I was just about to drift off into a peaceful sleep.”

Sarah poked him again. “Your sister has a question for you.”

Charles opened one eye. “What is it?”

Sarah looked back to Nora, only to find her looking at her dress, that forsaken bottom lip in her mouth.

“I, um, was hoping I could pick some flowers over on the other side of the lake.” Nora mumbled.

Charles’s other eye opened and he rolled to his side.

“The other side of the lake, hmm?” He rose an eye brow in her direction.

Nora nodded. “Yes, because that side has full sun and the flowers I like are over there. Please? I promise I won’t go far. You’ll always be able to see me.” Nora pleaded.

Sarah couldn’t see why it would be a problem for the girl to go, other than the fact the other side of the lake was the closest to town.

More information filled in the blanks in Sarah’s head. Something happened in the town to cause such disdain between Charles and the townspeople. Sarah looked between Charles and Nora, perhaps it had to do with Nora or his mother’s death.

Charles was very protective of her, but what could she have to do with the town? She was very young when she was sent to live with his mother’s cousin.

Sarah sighed. The more she put pieces she fit together, the more pieces she found.

“Let her go, Charles.” Sarah said and looked to Nora. “You promise to stay where we can see you?”

Nora shook her head profusely. “Oh, of course!”

Sarah looked back to Charles who was looking towards the town. The boys had since left and it was back to being a serene, quiet afternoon.

Charles dipped his head. “Don’t go too far and don’t stay out in the sun too long.”

Nora squealed as she lunged towards her brother to give him a hug. “Thank you, Charles!” She reached out and hugged Sarah next. “I’m going to pick you the most beautiful bouquet of flowers. Just you wait!”

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