The Duchess’ Replacement (Unrelenting Lords #2)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

C harles slammed his tumbler down on the sideboard. Whisky splashed out of the glass onto his hand.

“Dammit.” He brought up his hand and sucked the spilled drink off his wrist. He glanced at the clock. He hasn’t seen his brother since he saw Eli’s retreating back leaving the house this morning. Charles thought he was going to the church, but it turns out his bloody brother had other plans.

Charles threw back the rest of his whisky. He was right when he threatened to drag Eli to the church himself. It was the only way he could have ensured the bloody bastard would have gone through with the marriage. The damned fool.

The girl’s face flashed in his mind. Big, blue eyes, rounded and confused as she tried to see who was walking out of the church’s door. He could no longer watch the poor girl stand there in front of everyone while his brother was god knows where, doing god knows what.

Fortunately for Eli, Charles could not find him. Not for lack of trying. Charles sent his men to Eli’s favorite haunts and they all turned up empty.

Disgrace and disgust bubbled up within him.

“That stupid, son-of-a-”

His words were cut off by loud banging coming from the hallway.

“What the dueces was that?”

Another loud bang thudded followed by a female voice raging at who mostly likely was his poor butler, Samuels.

Charles charged into the hallway to see what the commotion was and stopped dead when he recognized the slight frame.

“I’m sorry, Miss, His Grace is not to be disturbed.” Samuels voice rang out amidst the banging.

Charles approached his butler who had his arms out trying to hold back the tiny tyrant from entering his house.

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not here to see His Grace.” She all but spat the title. “I want to see his brother, Eli. I demand I see him at once.”

If there was any doubt who it was, her voice confirmed it.

The girl. Lady Sarah.

He was never formally introduced to the girl while his brother was courting her but he overheard several of their conversations. She normally had a jovial timber to her voice that had just a touch of velvet underneath it.

It was not surprising she did not sound so jovial in this instant.

Her eyes were just as big as they were in the church, but this time instead of confusion and embarrassment they showed fire and vitriol.

“Samuels.”

At the sound of his name, the butler turned, looking helpless.

“I’m sorry for the interruption, Your Grace. She is insisting on coming in.”

The girl’s eyes flashed and narrowed. “She is right here and can speak for herself.”

Charles rolled his lips to stop from smiling.

No. The broken girl from the church was long gone and in her place was a boiling hot woman who knew what she wanted and right now she wanted answers.

Charles dipped his head towards Samuels, signaling for him to step aside. Samuels looked between the two before retreating a step and opening his arms, allowing the girl to walk in.

Charles took in the vision in front of him. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were puffy and red, and tear stains still marked her cheeks. Yet, there was a raw energy pulsing off of her that drew him in.

Charles weighed his options. Normally, he’s not one to entertain such behavior, but the poor girl has been left at the alter in front of a majority of the ton thanks to his basted brother. The least he could do is listen to her.

Plus, this could be interesting and considering the day he’s had, he could do with some entertainment. Might as well see what the girl has to say.

Without a word he tilted his head towards the girl and turned to walk back to his study. If she wanted answers she’d have to follow him.

He wasn’t surprised that after a few moments the shuttered sound of unsure steps followed his.

He walked to his sideboard to refill his tumbler of whisky. Something told him he’d need more to get through this conversation.

Charles turned to see her pacing a path into his carpet. Her shoulders were raised, her back was straight and she had the look of determination on her face. The only sign of nerves were her hands that she was wringing in front of her as she paced the study.

Charles walked to a chair that faced her path and sat. She followed him into his study, if she wanted to waste time pacing that was on her. He was comfortable in his favorite chair, with his favorite drink, he could sit here all night.

Her eyes landed on spot he just vacated by the sideboard and she stopped moving. Her eyes flew around the room until they landed on him. It was as if she was so lost in her own thoughts that she temporarily forgot where she was and why.

She licked her lips, a motion he was thankful he did not miss, and straightened her spine. With a small cough she cleared her throat. She reminded Charles of a puppy learning how to bark for the first time.

“I would like to see, Eli… please.” Her voice was small, but sure. A calm had settled over her but he could still see nerves dancing along her skin.

Charles had to admit she had courage. It must have taken a lot for a jilted woman to come to the house of the man who abandoned her in front of the entirety of polite society.

He rested his tumbler of whisky on his thigh, while a finger traced the rim of the glass. Her eyes flicked down to watch the movement.

Interesting.

Charles cocked his head to the side.

“Seems a bit late in the night for a visit, Lady Sarah.” He nodded towards the standing clock. “Usually this time is reserved for more scandalous meetings.” He raised an eyebrow in her direction.

The full on blush that covered her cheeks reminded him of bright red strawberries in the middle of the summer. Instantly his mouth filled with saliva and his brain questioned if she were just as sweet. He shifted in his chair.

Blasted, he must be tired. Usually he can keep his more improper thoughts at bay, but there was something about this defiant temptress standing in front of him, with all bark but no bite, that was calling out to his more baser instincts.

She cleared her throat again. “I assure you, Your Grace, there is nothing untoward in my being here.” She sniffed.

Charles’s eyes swept over her. If he looked past her rumbled outfit and messy hair, she was the embodiment of propriety. The elocution and decorum lessons were on full display in front of him. Once more his mind delighted in the thought of peeling back those pretentious layers of propriety and elegance to find the true woman underneath it. There was a fire in her eyes that told him it would be a delicious endeavor.

When he didn’t respond she huffed and continued.

“The only scandal that brought me here tonight is your brother’s actions this morning.” She took a step closer to him and his eyes narrowed. She stopped, no doubt intimidated by his expression.

Sarah bristled. “I demand to know why he broke his commitment to our engagement.”

Her voice broke at the end of her demand, her chest rose and fell with each breath. Tears lined her eyes, making them sparkle in the low light of his office. One tear escaped and rolled down her face. His fingers itched to reach out and trace the trail.

Charles licked his lips at the thought of her, on her knees, with tears running down her cheeks for an entirely different reason.

“Your Grace?” Her voice broke through his fantasy.

Charles’s vision cleared and refocused on her standing in front of him.

He took a quick sip, allowing the burn to ground him back into reality.

“Lady Sarah,” he sighed, “why bother yourself with the details? What done is done. My brother is no good to anyone.” He sighed and rested his head on the back of the chair. “Consider yourself lucky.”

“Lucky?” She cried out. “I am ruined! No one will want me because of what he did! I deserve an answer.”

Her petulant behavior was cute at first but it was growing tiresome. He liked his women to have a bit more bite to them. He usually doesn’t misjudge women. He rubbed his eyes. He must be tired.

Charles took another sip to which she groaned and stomped over to the chair opposite him and sat down.

“The Duke of Graynor assured me that your family was a respectable and kind family. If this is how you-”

Charles sat up. “Do not believe everything you hear about my family.” His voice was cold as steel.

Sarah looked up from where she sat. “Obviously.” She deadpanned.

Charles sat back, studying her. She was an interesting creature. One minute she was reserved, only to be quick witted and mouthy in the next.

Charles shook his head. “The truth of the matter is I cannot give you a reason, because I do not know the reason. I don’t even know where my brother is, haven’t seen hims since he left this morning.”

Her shoulders sank at his admission.

For reason beyond his comprehension he felt the need to give her some words of solace.“But I know my brother, and I trust his answer would give you no respite. I stand by my earlier statement, what is done is done. I suggest you find a way to move on. It’s a lesson I have had to teach myself in regards to my brother. He is no good to anyone.”

Charles looked out the window into the darkening night. “I’m sure another scandal is in the making right now and this will all be forgotten in a few days.”

Sarah narrowed her eyes. “That’s it? Just move on? You can offer no other insight other than ‘just move on’?”

She blinked a few times, then pointed in the air in a gesture of wait. “Maybe something happened to him? If you haven’t seen him since this morning, perhaps there was an accident with the carriage.”

Charles laughed, mockingly.

Sarah looked at him questioningly. “Why are you laughing? What if something truly happened to him?”

“I’m laughing at you.”

“Excuse me?” Sarah’s hand flew up to cover her chest in horror.

“He left you at the the alter and you are still giving him allowances.” Charles rolled his eyes. “Where is the women who nearly knocked over my butler demanding answers?” Charles curled his lip in a sneer. “I would much rather talk to her than this hopeful optimist who can’t see the bullet she dodged with his actions.”

Charles stopped and leaned forward, scrutinizing her. She shift under his gaze. “It’s a shame. Someone as gullible as you is actually what my brother craves. I assume he’ll be quite annoyed with his decision to let the likes of you go.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “How dare you. I may be an optimistic, or a romantic, but I know my worth. I thought I could come here and speak with him or someone,” she snarled, “who had some modicum of decency who could ease my mind. But I see now that this family has no such decorum.”

She stood with such force the chair wobbled from behind her.

Charles raised his hand but his demeanor remained unaffected by her sudden movements.

“All my carriages are accounted for. The one he used to go to the church has been returned without him in it. No foul play, I’m afraid.” Charles rubbed his chin. “Although, one can’t give up hope, I suppose.” Charles chuckled at the thought of his brother lying helpless in a ditch somewhere. Definitely would make things easier for him to discipline Eli.

“You honestly have no regard for your family?” Sarah spat. She shook her head in disbelief as she marched towards the door.

“My brother has been making a mockery of our family for years. I have little patience for spoiled brats. You’re not the only one whose name is at stake thanks to his selfishness.”

Charles bit his tongue. He hated allowing anyone to see him, or his family, as anything other than strong and formidable, but if anyone could relate to the exhaustion his brother caused, it would be this woman before him.

Charles watched as some of the fight drained from Sarah’s frame. She was extremely responsive to those around her.

“I’m sorry. I’ve only had to deal with him this once, I could not imagine being repeatedly let down in this manner over and over again. While I’m not looking forward to dealing with the fallout, my ruination will no doubt be something I fear I won’t overcome, but at least he is out of my life.”

Charles only grunted his acknowledgment of his life sentence cleaning up his brother’s mistakes.

She shifted her feet, seemingly unsure of her next move. Dark smudges began to appear under her eyes. “Thank you for your time, Your Grace. I apologize for disrupting your household at such a late hour.”

She turned and opened the door.

Before she could move, the door slammed shut with the push of his hand. She turned to find him standing directly in front her. With the door at her now at back, he completely took up the space around her.

“What if I can offer you a way out of ruination?”

Sarah’s breath stuttered. She took a step backwards and hit the door. One arm, seemingly the size of a tree trunk, was planted by her head, the soft material of his sleeve gently grazed her cheek.

Her chest rose with every breath causing her chest touched his. He was standing much too close to her.

She steeled her back and forced her eyes to rise and meet his.

Instantly she regretted it.

Alarm bells sounded in her mind as his dark green eyes burned into hers.

“What do you mean?” Her voice sounded foreign to her. Breathy and weak, it held none of the bravado she walked in here with.

His eyes darkened and he placed his other hand on the other side of her body, fully enclosing her between the door and himself. Her hands that were hanging at her sides pushed into the door, hoping for it to give and open.

His answered in a low rumble. Each word enunciated and dripping in seductive tones.

“What if I can offer you a way out of ruination?”

Sarah swallowed. Her mind was racing, exhaustion made his words sound muffled and confusing. She could feel beads of sweat form on her hairline but he was standing so close she couldn’t each reach up to swipe them away even if she wanted to.

She licked her dry lips, a movement his eyes followed with interest.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace, I don’t understand what’s happening. What could you offer me that would save me from such a life?”

Sarah chastised herself. Why was she even considering continuing such an absurd conversation?

Nothing about this man seemed kind or compassionate. He’d been toying with her ever since she walked into his study. He was much too large of a man, with sharp features, and brooding eyes. Nothing about him screamed willing to help his fellow man, or woman.

Yet, with all of that literally standing right in front of her, she felt her shoulders relax a bit against the door. She hated to admit it, but she was curious for his answer.

Charles dropped one hand from the door and brushed a strand of hair from her face. The fingers left a trail of fire along her cheek as he tucked the hair behind her ear. She shivered from the contact.

Something flashed in his eyes and he leaned in closer.

Her body instinctively reacted by leaning in closer as well. She no longer cared about why she came here. Propriety and social standards were gone the minute she stepped out of her house in search of answers. This man seemed to know how to help her and the time of heroes was over. She was going to save herself.

His cheek brushed against hers and he leaned in to whisper, his hot breath sending electric shocks down to her very core.

“Marry me, instead.”