The Duchess’ Replacement (Unrelenting Lords #2)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

T he 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.

Sarah swallowed her hurt pride and followed him through the open door.

“Samuels, you remember my wife, Sarah?”

Sarah blushed at the memory of her practically barreling over the older butler to get into the house to speak with Eli. Heavens, that seemed like ages ago.

She tilted her head at his welcome.

“Sarah, this Mrs. Bates, the housekeeper. She’ll be the one who will be the most help to you with regards to the household. I’m sure she’ll introduce you to your maid at some point.”

Sarah peered up at her husband. His words were rushed and he sounded bored with the whole conversation. She grimaced at his rude behavior.

“It’s lovely to have you here with us, Your Grace.” Mrs. Bates looked around the same age as Charlotte which caused Sarah’s heart to squeeze. She could really use her mother right now. For as emotional and flighty her mother could be with some things, she had a way of helping Sarah put things in perspective when she really needed it.

And, heavens knew she needed that right now.

Sarah smiled warmly at the woman. “Thank you, Mrs. Bates. I am very happy to be here and can’t wait to get to know everyone.”

Sarah turned to Charles who was walking away from her. She glanced quickly at Mrs. Bates who had a resigned look on her face before she picked up her skirts to chase after him.

She didn’t want to all out run after her husband, but, heavens, he had long legs. His long stride ate up the distance between the entrance and his study door in no time.

Unfortunately for her when she reached the door he had already shut it.

She raised a hand to knock but Mrs. Bates called from the entranceway.

“Your Grace? Would you like me to introduce you to the rest of the staff?”

Sarah looked back at older woman, who was wringing her hands in front of her.

Sarah returned her gaze to the closed door in front of her and dropped her hand. She straightened her posture and brushed the wrinkles off her dress. She was a Duchess now with responsibilities to tend to.

She would become acquainted with the staff and her duties, but she will make it a point to discuss with her husband his behavior. If he thinks he’s the only one with rules in this marriage, he had another think coming.

Mrs. Bates had taken Sarah all over the country estate. She met almost every one who worked in the house and directly on his property. All seemed like pleasant and responsible workers. Sarah hated to admit, but she was impressed.

She expected the people to be as standoffish and rude as their employer. Her husband never gave off the allure of being someone people would be happy to work for, but everyone she met spoke of Charles with genuine respect and admiration.

He must treat his staff with great care to receive this type of loyalty.

If only I received the same care from him.

“Lizzie will be your maid, Your Grace.” Mrs. Bates’s voice broke through Sarah’s reverie. “She would be down here to greet you but she is upstairs preparing your rooms. Would you like to see your go to them now, Your Grace?”

Sarah nodded in agreement and followed Mrs. Bates up the stairs and down a hallway leading to her suite of rooms.

Mrs. Bates opened the door where Sarah’s maid was just finishing arranging the pillows on her bed.

The slight young woman looked about her age, with a fair complexion and a pleasant air about her.

“Lizzie? I’d like to introduce Her Grace, Duchess of Stoleton, your mistress.”

Lizzie bowed her head, “Your Grace.”

Sarah smiled. She reminded Sarah of Beatrice. She reached out her hands and she walked to Lizzie, taking a hold of her hands when she reached the girl. “Lizzie, it is so nice to meet you. I just know we’ll get along smashingly.”

Sarah looked around her room. It was filled with soft colors and minimal furniture, but it would do for now.

“This truly is a beautiful home and estate.” Sarah said as she crossed to the window that overlooked the garden and a small pond.

“Thank you, Your Grace. We are very proud of it. His Grace is always working so hard, we make sure we keep it in tip top shape for when he comes he so he has nothing to worry about. It’s a shame what-”

Mrs. Bates’s words were cut off from a quick gasp from Lizzie.

Sarah turned her attention to the two women who were now looking at each other.

“What is it? What is the shame?”

Lizzie’s eyes dropped to the ground. Miss Bates’s waved her hand in front of her face as if to wipe away the words she just said.

“Oh, I was just going to say it was a shame that he had no one to share it with but now he has you.”

Her smile was a bit too wide and Sarah had the sneaking suspicion that was not what Mrs. Bates was about to say. She wanted to press the issue but who was she to interrogate the woman? Perhaps in time, after she’s known her for a bit longer, she can bring it up again.

“Oh. How nice.” Sarah noted. “Well, am I to assume dinner will be soon? I didn’t realize it was so late in the day. I’m feeling a bit famished.”

Mrs. Bates smiled more genuinely. “Oh, yes, Your Grace. The cook has whipped up quite the feast for your welcome. Lizzie? Why don’t you help Her Grace get settled into her room and I’ll let the cook know you’re ready for dinner.”

“Thank you, Miss Bates.” Sarah escorted Miss Bates of the room as her stomach growled.

She covered her stomach with her hand. “My goodness, I didn’t realize how hungry I was. Please let His Grace know I will be down for dinner shortly.”

Once again, tension settled between Miss Bates and Lizzie and Sarah’s eyes bounced between the two women.

“What is it now?” One thing Sarah could not abide was secrets.

Miss Bates took a breath. “It’s nothing, Your Grace. It’s just we’ve come accustomed to His Grace working so much, he rarely eats dinner in the dining room.”

Sarah’s heart sank. She had not seen him since this morning when he left her to fend for herself in a house full of strangers, but she just assumed they would at least dine together as married couples were wont to do.

“Where does he dine? Perhaps I could join him there?” It didn’t bother Sarah how desperate she sounded. He laid down ground rules for her to follow and she would do what he asked of her. However, she found it ridiculous that he could impose such rules thinking those would be only times he would interact with her.

Lizzie stepped forward. “His Grace usually eats in his study, Your Grace. I’m sure you’d be much more comfortable in the dining room. Or, if you’d like, since you’re still getting settled, we could bring a tray up here to you. Isn’t that right, Mrs. Bates?”

Lizzie looked at Miss Bates earnestly and Sarah found herself following Lizzie’s example.

Miss Bates nodded. “I don’t see why not. If that’s what Your Grace wants.”

She looked at Sarah expectantly.

Sarah looked around the room. A large lump formed in her throat. She didn’t want to show them how scared and utterly overwhelmed she was. She was the Duchess now and yet , she felt woefully unprepared for the tasks at hand.

She pulled at the cuffs of her shirt. “Yes, actually, I wouldn’t mind if you brought a tray up here. I am quite tired from all the excitement these past few days.”

Mrs. Bates stepped outside the room while Lizzie turned back to fluffing the pillows.

“Lizzie?” Sarah asked. “Would you mind leaving with Mrs. Bates. I would like some time to myself to settle in.”

Lizzie looked up to Mrs. Bates before turning to Sarah. “Of course, Your Grace. I’ll let the staff know you’ll be eating your dinner in your room. If there’s anything else, please just call for me.”

Sarah nodded and walked to one of her bags that sat on a bench. She went through the motions of opening it and pulling out various clothes and laying them next to the bag. Once Lizzie closed the door Sarah threw the shirt she was holding onto the ground.

“Bloody hell” She cursed.

Sarah swatted the hot tears that began to fall.

“Stop being so foolish, Sarah.” She trudged over to the full length mirror and looked at herself. “You can do this. This is what you wanted. Your name is not ruined. There will be no scandal to hurt Beatrice’s chances in her season.”

Sarah sniffed and wiped her nose with a handkerchief from her vanity. She dabbed her eyes. “All good things, girl. Just like mama says, ‘Trust the process.’”

A low knock sounded from her door.

“Your Grace? It’s Lizzie. I have your food.”

Sarah let Lizzie in, who placed the tray on a side table by the door.

“Would you like me to help you get ready for bed tonight, Your Grace?”

Sarah nodded her head. “No, thank you, Lizzie. I always make sure my traveling clothes are manageable.”

Lizzie dropped her eyes.

“If I need help I will send for you, though. Thank you, Lizzie,” Sarah said, gesturing to the food. “I appreciate your help. It’s just been a whirlwind of a few days and I’m still trying to catch my breath.”

Lizzie offered a small smile. “We are very happy to have you here, Your Grace. I hope you’ll like it here.”

Sarah glanced over Lizzie’s shoulder and out in the hallway where she could have sworn she saw a lurking shadow.

“I hope so, too, Lizzie.”

Lizzie tilted her head before closing the door behind her.

Dinner smelled delicious but Sarah’s stomach wouldn’t even let her consider eating a single bite. Her stomach had been spinning all day. Her head and heart ached from the emotional upheaval she’s been through.

She didn’t expect Charles to be charming or even that romantic, but she relied so heavily on her mother’s theory that love can blossom out of the most unlikely places. Unfortunately for Sarah, in order for any relationship to blossom with her husband they would have to be in each other’s company. Outside of the carriage ride, she’s seen her husband a grand total of once and that was at the inn.

And even then it was only to give rules about what she was allowed to talk about and her responsibilities as Duchess.

It was also when he gave her ten days to wrap her mind around consummating the marriage in the hopes of producing an heir. A shiver ran down her spine at the memory of his words.

“And when I do take someone, I’m not gentle. You’ve been warned, Sarah.”

Sarah picked up her night shift and sat on the edge of the bed. Her hand cramped around the material from how hard she was clutching the shift.

Charles did not seem like a man that would be gentle.

Sarah heard a creak from a floorboard outside her room. Her heart rate picked up and she looked at the door.

Was he standing outside her door?

Sarah shook her head. She was becoming paranoid. Not having answers was playing tricks on her mind. It was most likely a maid or Samuels.

Still, she walked over to the door and locked it. She backed up until the back of her knees hit the bed and she sat, still staring at the door.

Sarah felt in way over her head. Nothing in any of her romance books prepared her for marrying a brute. Her books were all filled with undying love proclamations and grand scale gestures. There were soft touches, and seductive whispers in corners. Sarah’s focused on the space between the floorboards and the bottom of the door. She watched as a shadowed moved slowly from one side of the door to the other, footsteps moving farther away.

Sarah’s heart sunk further in her chest. She doubted she would get soft touches and words of affirmation or love from Charles. A love story like that doesn’t come with the paramour giving his love a deadline for consummation.

Sarah didn’t wipe the tears that began to fall. She let them. For tonight she was going to grieve the life she thought she’d live. She needed to come to terms with letting go of a life full of romance and love, one that she gave her happiness and security.

She laid down on top of the covers, still clutching her night shirt, and curled into a ball. Her body rocked back and forth as the tears fell and coated the duvet. She fell asleep thinking of what might have been and what she could not have.