Page 14 of The Duchess' Replacement

She licked her dry lips. “Is that all?”

Charles moved his head ever so slowly from side to side. “There is one more thing you will do for me.”

His voice was soft and low and slid over her skin like fine silk. He came to a stop in front of her, forcing her to crane her neck to look up at him.

“You will give me an heir.”

It felt as if all the air was sucked out of the room. Sarah’s eyes widened and her heart stopped.

He slowly lowered himself into a crouch in front of her. He pulled at her chair so she was sitting, facing him. She felt trapped. Her mind was screaming at her to move. He was too close, he was too much, this was all too much for her sensibilities.

Charles raised a hand and in direct contradiction to the hardness of his veneer, he softly touched her cheek as he brushed a curl from her face, tucking it behind her ear.

In this close proximity, his green eyes commanded her body and she felt herself leaning into his gesture while she held his sight.

“In order to do that, we will need to consummate the marriage.”

Sarah nodded slowly, her body willing her mind to catch up to what he was saying. His voice had activated something deep within her and her body began to hum. But her mind was still processing what he was telling her.

Her heart jumped when she realized he was leaning in as well. This was it. They would consummate the marriage tonight. She was so enraptured by his presence she no longer cared it wasn’t in the confines of his country estate.

She could do this. She would do this. Confidence and curiosity swirled in her veins.

Her breath caught in her throat as he closed the distance between them. Her eyes fluttered shut, waiting for the touch of his lips to hers.

A touch that never came.

Instead, she felt his lips graze the shell of her ear.

“You have ten days to prepare yourself.”

Sarah’s eyes flew open in time to see him stand and walk to the door.

“I told you before, I don’t forcefully take anything or anyone, without warning. And when I do take someone, I’m not gentle. You’ve been warned, Sarah. I suggest you take heed and prepare accordingly.”

Sarah stared at the closed door. Her breath was coming out in short bursts.

What have I gotten myself into?

CHAPTER 5

The carriage jolted Sarah awake. She blinked her eyes open, trying to remember where she was. Her eyes settled on the ominous dark form sitting across from her.Oh, right.

She must’ve fallen asleep on the way over. After Charles left her room last night she found it hard to sleep. His parting words weighed on her mind causing her restless night.

Sarah looked out the window and saw they had arrived at the country estate. “We’re here.” Sarah cringed at her obvious remark.

Charles grunted in reply and moved to get out of the carriage.

Well, at least he acknowledged me.

Flashes of the morning came back to her. She was awoken by one loud knock on her door. By the time she answered it, no one was there, but Charles’s bag was sitting next to his door waiting for someone to retrieve it. She assumed that that was her wake up call. Luckily for her, the young girl from last night helped her dress and prepare for the ride to her new home.

She tried making conversation once they were in the carriage but she was met with stone silence and averted gaze. Last thing she remembered was being lulled by the steady rocking motion of the carriage.

Sarah gathered her skirts and moved to step out of the carriage. She was surprised when the extended hand there to help her down belonged to her husband.

She looked up to thank him but his body had already turned from her and was walking inside.

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