Page 78 of The Duchess' Replacement

Charles thankfully stopped to look past Sarah to see his sister running towards the house. He glanced back at the boys who were slowly backing up.

“Not until I talk to those boys.” He grounded out.

At the sound of his voice the boys took off in a sprint.

“It isn’t worth chasing them, Charles.” Sarah said through breaths as she rubbed her arms , sore, from the exertion it took to slow her husband down.

Charles snarled. “They don’t deserve to run.”

Sarah sighed and risked touching her husband.

He recoiled at her touch and her heart sank. Pushing her own pride aside she held her hands behind her back. “I understand that, but right now your sister is more important than finding those boys.”

She reached out her hand. “Come. Let’s go back to the house and find out what happened. Perhaps it is just boys being boys or some sort of misunderstanding.”

Charles huffed and walked past her outstretched hand.

Sarah told herself the cold breeze came from the lake and not her husband, but she knew otherwise.

CHAPTER 21

Charles bounded up the steps two at a time as Sarah gave up trying to match his speed.

“Your Grace, is everything all right?” Lizzie jumped out the way just before she became collateral damage in Charles’s rampage.

“I’m not sure, Lizzie. Did you see where Nora went?”

Lizzie nodded. “To her room, Your Grace.”

Sarah brushed past her and continued down the hall to where Charles was pounding on Nora’s door.

“Nora! Open up!” His hand jiggled the handle. “Now Nora or I will bust down the door!”

“I don’t think that will be necessary, Charles.” Sarah tried to keep her voice even. She approached him much like the other times he lost his temper, with measured steps, and calculated words.

“She’s clearly upset, sometimes just leaving a girl to get her emotions out is helpful. I can’t tell you how many times my sisters and I-”

Charles put his hand up to stop Sarah. “Enough, Sarah. I don’t have time for silly stories of your life with your sisters.”

Sarah’s mouth snapped shut. She bit her cheek to stop her lip from quivering. She needed to remind herself she was made of sturdier things and a harsh word wouldn’t break her. After all, she knew Charles was not one for tender words when he was upset.

She straightened her back. “I was only saying-”

“Nora! Open this door immediately!” Charles’s fist hit the door so hard Sarah worried it would break the wood.

She grimaced. She took a deep breath and slid herself between her husband and the door. “May I try?”

Charles huffed. Rage and impatience pumped off of him. There was a moment she was certain he would pick her up and physically move her out of his way, but instead he gestured to the door, giving her the go ahead to try.

Sarah faced the door and knocked gently. “Nora,” her soothing voice called. “Nora, it’s me, Sarah. Please open the door, we want to make sure you’re all right.”

Feet shuffled on the other side of the door before it opened up just a crack. Swollen green eyes peeked through the sliver of space.

“I’m fine.” Nora hiccuped.

Sarah’s lips thinned. “Nora. I can see you’re not. Can we please come in?”

Nora hesitated before she opened the door a little wider. Sarah’s shoulders released and she let go of the breath she was holding. She knew all the girl needed was a gentle touch.

---