Page 106 of The Duchess' Replacement

Sarah took a step towards him. “I have waited enough minutes, Charles. I have let you keep your secrets for far too long. It is now my turn to talk.”

Charles stood astonished while Eli snickered behind her. “I think I’m done here.”

Sarah reached behind her and pointed to the bench while keeping her eyes on Charles. “Sit down, Eli.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Eli slinked around Sarah, avoiding Charles and made himself comfortable on the bench. “Come to think of it, I’d rather like to see my big brother get the proper dressing down he deserves.”

Sarah and Charles both raised an eyebrow in his direction.

“That’s enough out of you.” Charles chastised.

“Charles.” Sarah took his hand. “I understand why you reacted the way you did to my finding your mother’s rooms, to your sister’s interaction with those boys, to my questions, however,” she shook her head out of frustration, “I just don’t understand why you couldn’t talk to me. As someone who never shies away from a conversation I find miscommunication and avoidance tiresome.”

Charles rolled his lips. Sarah watched as this cravat bobbed with his swallow.

His voice cracked when he started to speak. “It’s been a long time I had someone I could trust. My parents were my rock, then when my father died, and my mother lost herself, it was like I lost both parents. Then word of her pregnancy spread and it…”

His cravat bobbed again.

Sarah reached out to pull him to her. She wrapped her arms around him as his head bowed over hers.

She rested her cheek on his chest. “You don’t need to go into details right now. My sister and Derek told me what happened and Eli filled in any missing pieces.”

Charles stiffened.

Sarah pushed away from him. “No, don’t do that. Do not freeze on me, Charles. If we have any chance of making this work you need to let me in. You can’t barge into someone else’s home and accost the guests,” she said as she gestured to Eli. Who, had the insight to smile arrogantly and throw a little wave at his brother.

“You can’t be upset if people talk to me and tell me what’s going on in their lives. And if their lives just so happen to intersect with yours all the better!”

Sarah’s racing heart was about to leap out of her chest. Her chest was heaving with each gulp of air she took. She felt frantic, she felt energized, but most of all, she felt like it was now or never to lay it on the line for Charles.

“We are husband and wife, Charles. If I recall, you said yourself, what happens to me happens to you. Then how do you not understand what happens to you happens to me!” Her voice strained against her dry throat.

She waved her hands in between them. “You cannot refuse to let me in but then take me when you want. You cannot hide things from me, but then claim me as your own.”

Sarah’s voice began to tremble as tears clouded her vision.

“You cannot shut me out but make me love you.” The tears spilled over and raced down her cheeks.

Charles stepped forward. “Sarah.” His voice broke. “Sarah, do you…” He lifted her chin with his finger, his thumb wiped away the tear that had just fallen.

“Do you mean that?” His words were full of wonderment.

Sarah blinked the tears away and pulled her head from his grasp. “Mean what?”

A bright wide smile broke on Charles’s face. “You do, don’t you!”

His arms reached around her, pulling her towards him in a crushing hug.

“Oof. Charles…” Her voice was muffled against his chest. “What has gotten into you?” She finally asked when he released her.

Her held her head in his hands. “You love me.”

Sarah opened her mouth but Charles’s mouth swallowed any words she was about to say.

When they broke apart Charles’s eyes were wide with joy. “Say it again.”

Sarah smiled and shook her head. “I love you.”

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