Page 88 of The Duchess' Replacement

Sarah nodded. “Yes. It seems our footman and Miss Cordell, the modiste, have an interest in each other. I owe him a favor after that disaster of an outing at the orangery yesterday.”

Charles chuckled. “I must say, that boy has been in this household for years and I never knew his name or anything about him. Then you come along and I’m realizing how many people I actually have in my employ.” He sounded surprised at his own admission.

Sarah furrowed her eyebrows before she laughed at the ridiculousness of his statement. “Did you really not pay attention to those around you? Did you just think food and horses appeared before you when you wanted them?”

Charles shrugged nonchalantly. “Not necessarily. I just never thought about it.”

Sarah was taken aback by the candor in which Charles spoke. He states he takes care of his own, yet he’s not aware of the presence of those he most definitely should be aware of.

It was just one more contradiction that made up her husband.

“Anyway, I think I’ll invite Nora along with us. She complimented the ribbons I bought from Miss Cordell, I reckon she will appreciate a trip to the modiste. Plus, she really liked what I did with your study. She said she wanted to compliment Miss Cordell for her help in it.” Sarah stated with a wicked grin on her face.

Her eyes swept up to her husband who was no longer smiling.

“You will not take Nora with you.” He snarled.

Sarah’s eyes widened at the sudden change in her husband’s demeanor. “But she wanted-”

Charles abruptly stood and flung his jacket across his shoulders and slipped it on. “My word is final, Sarah. You’re in charge of the house, but I’m in charge of Nora. She is not to step foot inside the town. Do you understand?”

Hurt, pride and confusion all mixed in Sarah’s veins. “Why?”

“My word is final, I do not need an explanation.” Charles scowled.

Pride won out. Sarah threw the blankets off of the bed and jumped up. She did not care she was naked in front of her husband. Fire and rage settled over her, warming her body against the cool morning air.

“I am not a child and you do not have ownership over me.” She countered.

Charles took a step towards her. “I think our wedding vows beg to differ.”

Sarah was exasperated and threw her hands in the air. “If you would just tell me what happened between you and the townspeople and what it has to do with Nora perhaps I wouldn’t keep asking about this!”

She was at her wit’s end with this man. Every time she thought she was making headway with him, his stubbornness and pride had to get in the way.

Charles shook his head once and turned to go. “I will not entertain this conversation any more. I’ve said what I’ve said, if you can’t handle this arrangement, then perhaps you need to make other arrangements.”

“What?” Her voice squeaked. Her heart thudded in her chest. “What do you mean?” She reached out to grab his arm but he had already left the room.

She raced to the door and watched him walk down the hallway. “Charles!” She called out to him.

Sarah turned back into the room and looked frantically for something to cover herself with. She grabbed the throw he had used to cover them with before they drifted off to sleep and wrapped it around her shoulders.

Peeking out into the hallway she looked both ways before she scurried over to her room. She rushed into her closet to put on the first dress she could find. It was a simple frock, it didn’t have many buttons, just a few at her collar, and a belt. She put it on, not even looking at herself in the mirror to fix her hair.

She ran out of her room and down the stairs.

“Good morning, Sarah!” A cheery Nora greeted her at the bottom of the steps. “Oh, my! Sarah! Are you all right? You’re a mess!”

Sarah didn’t have time to take any offense, plus, the girl was right, she could only imagine how she looked.

She took Nora by the shoulders. “Charles. Where is Charles?”

Nora eye’s roamed Sarah’s face with worry. “Sarah, what is wrong? Are you well?”

Sarah blew out a breath in frustration. “Charles, Nora! Where is Charles?”

“He stepped out for the morning, Your Grace. Is there something I can help with?”

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