Page 97 of The Duchess' Replacement

Charles tilted his head and nodded. He felt different. Had it gotten colder in here? His eyes tracked to the window. The sun was shining through the window pane and it looked like a beautiful warm day outside.

So why was it dark and cold in the room?

Sunlight streaked across Sarah’s eyes causing her to wince. “It’s too bright in here. It’s hurting my eyes.” Her voice was muffled in the pillow.

“Try waking up before the sun even rises and then you can talk to me how brightness hurts.” Her sister’s voice chastised her.

Sarah grimaced. “Does that make sense? You can’t talk to me in riddles, I haven’t had sufficient rest.”

“And whose fault is that, traveling all hours of the night.” Eleanor said as she sat on the bed, taking the pillow that was covering Sarah’s face.

“I needed to get out, Eleanor. You wouldn’t understand.” She moaned.

Eleanor tsked. “My marriage may not have had the same beginning as yours but you’re a fool if your memory is that bad you can’t remember how well Derek and I got along in the beginning.”

Sarah groaned. “I know. You two practically hated each other.”

“Just about.” Eleanor smiled.

Sarah sat up and both sisters winced at the sunlight coming through the windows.

“I know why the sunlight is hurting my eyes, what’s wrong with you?” Sarah asked while she shielded her eyes from the blasted sun.

“My darling daughter decided last night was the perfect time to test her lungs and sang us a song all night.” Eleanor yawned.

Her niece. Sarah couldn’t help but smile at the thought. Her life was an absolute mess, but the silver lining was she was about to spend some much needed time with her beautiful niece.

It was just then Sarah looked at her sister. Sarah could count on her hand the number of times when Eleanor did not look put together. Everything seemed to suit Eleanor perfectly. Except for today.

“Oh Eleanor. You look horrible.” Sarah breathed.

Eleanor laughed. “Thank you, sister. I’m so glad we just so happen to live close enough to the Duke that you decided to bless us with your presence and not mother.”

Sarah flinched. “I’m sorry, that was rude of me. I’m just not used to seeing you like…” she waved her hands around trying to put her thoughts to words.

“Like a mother?” Eleanor supplied.

Sarah smiled shyly.

Eleanor shrugged. “I must confess, after the first night with Angela I wrote to mother and apologized for all the trouble we had caused her while growing up.”

Sarah laughed. “I’m sure she was quite happy with that correspondence.”

“She absolutely was. I think that’s why she continues to send gifts for Angela. Not only is she her granddaughter, but the one person who made me realize how wonderful of a mother we have.” Eleanor said with a chuckle.

Sarah stretched and pushed the duvet off.

Eleanor stood to give her some space and walked to the bag Sarah had brought with her.

“Would you like me to send up a maid to help you?” Eleanor pulled out a few of the dresses Sarah brought and laid them out.

Sarah shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I don’t want to be a bother.”

Eleanor furrowed her brows. “You’re always welcome here, however, I must ask, how much thought have you given this?”

Sarah plucked at her bottom lip.

“Are you staying here until the air clears? Or are you staying here until…” Eleanor let her words die, insinuating a more permanent solution.

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