The Duchess’ Replacement (Unrelenting Lords #2)

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

S arah made her way down to the dining room for breakfast. She had a pleasant night sleep the night before. She barely remembers preparing for bed, only that as soon as her head hit her pillow she fell into a blissfully deep sleep.

Sarah passed the study on the way to the dining room and her body instantly hummed.

She traced her lips with her finger. She could still feel the pressure of his lips on hers and she couldn’t help the rise of elation when she thought of it. While she still didn’t know where she exactly stood with her husband, she still firmly believed no man could kiss a woman like that and not want to be involved with her.

Sarah was determined to build something, anything, with him. Even if she had to misbehave to do it.

Sarah blushed at the threat of another punishment.

“Next time I won’t go easy on you .”

His words echoed in her head, causing her knees to go weak all over again. She stopped to gather her wits before she walked into the dining room and the servers saw her flushed face. All she needed was the staff to think something was wrong with her.

Maybe there is?

Sarah walked into the dining room and stopped dead in her tracks. Expecting to find only a servant or two next to the table, she saw her husband sitting at the head of the table.

She looked at the servers who were looking straight ahead, pretending not to be as shocked as she was that he was sitting there.

She chewed on her bottom lip before taking the opportunity for what it was. She was just saying how she was determined to turn their relationship into something more and here was the perfect time to do so.

“Good morning, Your Grace. It is nice to see you.” Sarah sat across from him, unfolding a napkin onto her lap. “Did you sleep well?”

Charles looked up from his plate with a sly grin.

“Worried about my sleeping habits, wife?”

Sarah wrinkled her nose, not catching the double entrendre of his comment.

“Well, of course. I wouldn’t want to find out that you weren’t sleeping well.”

Charles sighed. “I slept just fine, thank you.”

Sarah sat, waiting.

Charles picked up a piece of bread and put a slab of butter on it.

Sarah pursed her lips. “I slept fine, thank you for asking.”

Charles looked at her. “I didn’t.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know. It was quite rude. It’s only polite to inquire about someone who has inquired about you. Especially if that someone is your wife.”

Charles furrowed his brows. “Is it now?”

Sarah nodded, primly. “It is.”

Charles picked up the piece of bread and took a bite “I’ll take that under advisement.”

Sarah sighed. “It is also impolite to talk with your mouth full.”

Sarah watched as Charles’s throat worked against his cravat as he swallowed. Unfortunately, for her, her husband apparently had eagle eyes and caught her staring.

“My apologies, my dear. You’ll have to forgive me. I’m not used to having polite company around.”

Sarah was suddenly aware of herself and others in the room. Her hands dropped to her lap and she fidgeted with her napkin. “No need to apologize, Your Grace.”

Sarah closed her eyes, hoping the blush she felt wasn’t on full display to her husband.

She opened her eyes and found her husband staring at her, a look of triumph on his face.

Bloody hell and my damned fair complexion.

She needed to change the subject off of her and her husband’s ability to affect her so easily.

“I have met a majority of your, er, well, our staff, I suppose, and they are quite pleasant. Do most of them stay here or do they accompany you back to the London home as well?”

Charles popped a piece of fruit in his mouth and considered his wife. Sarah sat straighter under his watchful eye. He had the uncanny ability to make her feel as if she were under interrogation.

It is no wonder he is known to be a ruthless, yet successful, man She had no doubt he mostly like won a majority, if not all, the arguments he takes part in. All he’d have to do is look at someone and she could imagine them crumbling under the weight of his stare.

He dipped his chin. “Samuels comes with me to whichever home I’m at, as you are aware.” He rose an eyebrow no doubt recalling their first encounter together.

Sarah blushed at the memory. It seemed no one there suffered from memory loss with the amount of times people recall that interaction.

“Mrs. Bates is normally just here, but now that you are here she will most likely travel to London, if you so desire.” He pointed his finger in the air. “Oh, and your maid, what is her name? Linda?”

“Lizzie.” Sarah supplied.

Charles waved his hand. “No matter. She’ll accompany you, as well.”

Sarah scowled. “It does matter. Her name is Elizabeth, Lizzie for short. I’ve learned her family has been a part of this household for years and I feel it would be pertinent for you to be aware of her name. It is the least you could do.”

Charles set down his fork and leaned back in his chair. His eyes darkened, causing her to shift under the weight of his stare.

She couldn’t feel she made misstep with the direction of the conversation.

“Is that so?”

Sarah rolled her lips. She nodded first before she was finally able to squeak out a “yes.”

He nodded his head in concession. “I suppose you’re right. Her family obviously has proven their loyalty, which is more than I can say for most.” A grimace flashed across his face before he righted his position and smiled nonchalantly. “I shall make it a point to remember her name if it serves you.”

Sarah breathed a sigh relief. “It does. Thank you, Your Grace.”

Sarah felt a small smile form on her face. It wasn’t much, but she could feel some semblance of a bond forming between them. The thought pleased her entirely.

It was just one breakfast, and a simple conversation, but she had built lasting relationships on less.

Feeling more relaxed, she picked up a strawberry and took a bite into the juicy fruit. “Do you have any plans for after breakfast?”

Charles’s expression changed, a smile played on his lips while his eyes focused in on her mouth. “Why do you ask?”

Sarah nodded thanks to the maid who was pouring her tea. “I thought we could spend some time together.”

Charles’s smile widened. “What a brazen little thing you are.”

Confusion washed over Sarah. “Brazen? How do you mean?”

“Did you enjoy last night’s discussion so much so that you’d like a repeat?”

Sarah set down the strawberry and wiped her hands, leveling a glare at her husband. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

Charles furrowed his brows, “Did I?”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “I meant would you like to go for a walk, or perhaps play cards. We could use the time to get to know each other better. We will be spending the rest of our lives together, might as well learn about who we have tied ourselves to.”

Charles thought for a moment.

He took the napkin from his lap and wiped his mouth before rising. He pushed his chair and walked towards his wife.

He crouched down at her side and took her hand.

Sarah’s heart began to race. His soft was touch and his facial expression was endearing. She really was beginning to think she was breaking through whatever schism that was between them.

He brushed the back of his hand so gently across her cheek before reaching around and cupping her neck. He drew her in and rested his forehead to hers.

She sighed in contentment, her eyes fluttering shut. It was such a sweet gesture that her heart swelled with possibilities.

“Unless you want to learn what’s it really like to be tied up I have no use for this conversation.”

Sarah’s eyes flew open in shock.

“Excuse me?” He couldn’t have possibly said what she thought he said.

Charles stood up and tucked his hands in his trouser pockets.

“You heard me. When you’re done acting the prude and pretending this is anything but a marriage of convenience, come find me. Until then, I think we’re down to eight days, if my calculations are correct.”

Charles turned to leave but Sarah lunged, reaching out to grab him by the elbow.

“How dare you!” Her voice echoed in the empty dining room.

Charles looked at her hand then met her eyes.

“Did you misunderstand something I said? I thought I said it quite plainly.”

Sarah took a deep breath. Pure uninhibited rage coursed through her veins. “I am not just a body for your to parade around as your trophy during events and then for you to use at night for you will. I am more than that.”

Charles turned fully back to his wife. His eyes raked over her body causing nerves to bubble up from within her.. She hated that her body began to heat under his scrutiny. Her clothes started to feel too tight, her lungs weren’t getting enough oxygen, and her mind began to whirl with flashes from last night.

“Trust me, my love, if I were to use you at night, you would not be complaining.” His voice was like velvet and conjured scandalous images that caused her cheeks to heat.

“I doubt that.” Even she was unconvinced by her statement.

Charles smiled wickedly. “I guess we’ll just have to wait those eight days to find out, won’t we?”

Sarah swallowed the ball that formed in her throat. There were no words she could summon on the spot that would adequately put this man in his place. Instead, she raised her hand and aimed for his face.

Just before she made contact his hand whipped out and caught her wrist.

He swiftly pulled her towards him, causing her to lose her footing and stumble into his hard chest.

She inhaled a sharp breath as he pulled her so close they were standing nose to nose. His eyes were nearly black as they stared into hers.

“Are you looking for another punishment, wife?”

Sarah cursed at her body’s reaction to his brute force. Her mind was screaming at her to shove him away, to react, but her body wanted to see how far she could push him.

What pull did this man have over her that it had her questioning her sanity? She should be appalled not aroused.

He dropped her hand and allowed her to settle before he took a step back.

She stood there trying to catch her breath as he chuckled, turned, and walked out of the room.

Charles returned to his study and poured himself a whisky. He didn’t care it was still morning, every time he saw, heard, or thought of the woman who was know his wife, he needed a drink.

He’s been drinking a lot lately.

Charles was not known for subtly or generous ways. He is a formidable businessman who gets his way. He’s worked too hard to build up his family name and he has just become accustomed to people doing his bidding without question.

It’s how he ran his household, his duchy, everything he’s ever been in charge of.

However, one slight of a woman stumbles into his study late one night and now he is questioning everything he knows to be true.

Her words challenge him, more so, entice him, which was dangerous.

He knows of the family she came from. Prim, proper, the daughters were raised to be the quintessential wife in polite society.

Charles took a swig of his whisky, letting the burn drain into his throat.

She comes from the type of family that would turn their backs on people with stories like his.

That is exactly why she needs to remember their arrangement is one of convenience, nothing more, nothing less.

Charles heard voices from the garden. He stalked over to the window and peered out. He found Sarah talking with one of the gardeners. Micheal? Jimmy?

Charles grunted. Should he know his gardeners names? He shook his head. No. Their job is to maintain his land. His job is to make sure he has land for them to maintain. Their names don’t factor into that equation.

Still, he couldn’t help but be enthralled with how familiar Sarah seemed to be with the gardener. She only just met the lad within the last forty-eight hours and already she was laughing, seemingly enjoying his company.

A tingle tickled the back of Charles’s neck. He raised a hand to rub the tension that was settling at the base of his neck.

He took a larger pull of whiskey as her laugh once again drifted in through the open window. It was light and airy and full of joy.

Charles leaned into the window to try to hear.

What could they possibly be talking about that was so funny?

Old insecurities snuck up on him. Did the gardener tell a joke about him and his family? His blood began to sing with the familiar buzz of irritation. He thought he had quelled all the suspicions about his family. Perhaps he didn’t?

His eyes refocused on the conversation in the garden. Sarah was smelling a bouquet of flowers the gardener allowed her to pick. Her smile lit up her face and she looked truly relaxed and carefree.

Charles allowed himself to ponder what it would feel like to feel that way. A small forgotten voice sounded from deep within him.

Perhaps you can have that again?

Charles shook his head to dispel the thought. No. He could not go back. He would not put his family in jeopardy again by trusting the wrong people.

If his wife wanted to make friends with the gardeners that was her prerogative. After all, the house responsibilities now fell to her. It would make sense she would know the staff by name.

But he would remain as he always was, in charge and left alone. The sooner his wife remembered that, the sooner his life could get back to normal.

Until then, he at least had the next eight days to come up with all the ways he would teach her that lesson when the final night came.

And one thing Charles was good at, was teaching people lessons they would never forget.