Page 107 of The Duchess' Replacement

Charles scooped her up and swung her around.

“Charles,” she squealed. “Put me down!”

Her feet hit the ground but he still had her enveloped in a hug.

“Well, I can see my services are no longer needed.” Eli stood and began to move towards the house.

Charles’s hand flew, hitting his chest to stop him. “Just a minute, brother.”

Eli sighed. “Seriously, Charles. You have your wife. It seems like she has forgiven you, let this go.”

Sarah pulled away from Charles, cautiously. Eli was right, she supposed she did forgive him, however, she was interested in what Charles had to say to his brother. Was he still upset with him for telling her? For coming here?

“I want to say I’m sorry.” Charles offered.

“I’m sorry what?” Eli asked the same time as Sarah’s, “Really?”

Charles smirked. “I know.” He looked down to Sarah. “It seems my brother isn’t the only one making changes around here.”

His eyes met his brother’s. “Eli. Thank you for having the foresight to come here and tell Sarah what she needed to know. I…” he cleared his throat, “it seems I have to get used to having more people on my side.”

Eli smiled and shook off his brother’s apology. “Don’t mention it. But, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll be mentioning this for awhile. I love the idea of having something over you.”

“Eli.” Sarah warned.

The rakish smile returned on Eli’s face as he held his hands up. “I’m joking, I’m joking.”

He held out a hand to Charles. “All is forgiven, brother. On to bigger and better things, yeah?”

Charles took his hand and shook it. “Absolutely.”

Sarah sighed in relief. “Well, now that is taken care of, Charles would you like to, whoa!”

Her words were cut off by Charles picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder.

“Charles! What are you doing? Put me down this instance!” Her tiny fists didn’t make a difference as they beat his back. Although, secretly, she didn’t mind being manhandled by her husband. However, this was not the time or place for those kinds of thoughts.

“Not a chance in hell, my darling. We have some catching up to do, both in conversations and in other areas.”

Sarah was grateful her face wasn’t visible for anyone to see. She was sure it was as red as the dawning day.

She heard a laugh behind her and she picked her head up to see Eli laughing at them.

Sarah raised a finger to point at him. “Make sure you find your way back to the estate. We have more to talk about!”

Charles halted his hurried steps and he turned towards his brother, rather abruptly. Sarah clenched the back of his jacket to stop herself from falling.

“But do not come any time soon. I will need several days to reacquaint myself with my wife.”

Sarah gasped at his insinuation to his brother. “Charles! That is inappropriate to say to your brother in my presence!”

“You may need a week, brother, she seems like a talker.” Eli quipped.

Sarah raised her head to see a laughing Eli. “Eli! That is inappropriate to say to your brother in my presence. Honestly, who raised you both?”

Her laughs were muted by her husband’s back as he carried her to his carriage.

“Where are you taking me?” She managed to say in between giggles.

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