Page 34 of The Duchess' Replacement

So close, she was so close.

“Faster,” she begged.

Her body prepared to launch itself over the edge when his finger disappeared.

She froze. Her eyes opened as the realization began to sink in that he once again stopped her from experiencing what she so desperately needed.

Sarah blinked and lifted her eyes to meet Charles, who was currently looking quite pleased with himself.

He pulled her up to a standing position and smoothed out her skirts. Charles slipped her arm in his and with unsteady steps she allowed him to walk her to the door.

Her mind was desperately trying to catch up to the abrupt change. She turned her head to look back to his desk.That actually happened, didn’t it?

Papers were crinkled and ripped, there was evidence of her sitting there.

She looked back to him for some clarity.

“What is happening?” Her voice was breathy and puzzled.

“You are going to retire to your room to think about your actions and your resulting punishment while I am going to get back to work.”

Sarah blinked, her vision clearing a bit. She looked up to him, back to his desk, then to the door. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I’m confused. We were,” she gestured to the desk. “That is to say, I was about to…”

“Come.” Charles said matter-of-factly causing a slight blush to creep onto her cheeks.

“Um, well, yes.” Sarah knew it was ridiculous to be embarrassed by their conversation after everything she just allowed him to do to her.

“Exactly my point, darling. Your punishment is that you weren’t allowed to finish. It is called delaying gratification. If I were you, I would remember this punishment, it is one of my favorites. Although, looking at the abject horror and confusion on your face, I can tell it is not yours.” He let out a small chuckle. “Which delights me even more.”

Sarah was at a loss for words.

He opened the door and politely ushered her over the threshold. “Do you need help getting upstairs, darling?”

Sarah’s eyes snapped up to his. The anger that she sought out earlier came roaring back into her.

“I do not,” She snapped at him. “I am perfectly capable of retreating to my rooms on my own.”

Charles nodded and closed the door between them.

Sarah stood there staring at the darkened door. The anger fortified her weakened legs. With a huff she grabbed her skirts and marched upstairs.

If that man thought he had finally found a way to best her, he was in for a shock. Didn’t he know there was no one more terrifying than a woman scorned? If not, she will happily teach him the lesson.

CHAPTER 10

Sarah awoke the next morning with pep in her step. After last night’s encounter she decided she needed to finally get out of the house and make her way through the town to meet those who lived and worked within the duchy.

Plus, it would give her space from her husband. Before her overworked body gave into sleep, she couldn’t decide if she was angry at Charles or not. It seemed her body and her mind had two very different opinions of the man. She would rather not see him until she figured herself out.

She held her breath as she crossed the threshold into the breakfast room and let it out when she saw Charles was not there.

Sarah ate breakfast alone with just Samuels and a footman in attendance. She sighed as her eyes roamed the breakfast room. Everywhere she looked Charles had made his mark. From the general masculine aesthetic of the home, the paintings of hunts that hung on the walls, to the way the maids scurried to make everything just right, she could feel his dominant presence everywhere.

Goosebumps erupted across her skin. Yes. She could definitely feel him everywhere.

After breakfast, Sarah made her way out to the front of the house. She had instructed Samuels to let the coachman know she would need a carriage to go into town. She was surprised at how quickly Charles’s men were able to get a carriage readied.

He really did run a tight ship.

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