The Duchess’ Replacement (Unrelenting Lords #2)

Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

S arah awoke the next morning with pep in her step. After last night’s encounter she decided she needed to finally get out of the house and make her way through the town to meet those who lived and worked within the duchy.

Plus, it would give her space from her husband. Before her overworked body gave into sleep, she couldn’t decide if she was angry at Charles or not. It seemed her body and her mind had two very different opinions of the man. She would rather not see him until she figured herself out.

She held her breath as she crossed the threshold into the breakfast room and let it out when she saw Charles was not there.

Sarah ate breakfast alone with just Samuels and a footman in attendance. She sighed as her eyes roamed the breakfast room. Everywhere she looked Charles had made his mark. From the general masculine aesthetic of the home, the paintings of hunts that hung on the walls, to the way the maids scurried to make everything just right, she could feel his dominant presence everywhere.

Goosebumps erupted across her skin. Yes. She could definitely feel him everywhere.

After breakfast, Sarah made her way out to the front of the house. She had instructed Samuels to let the coachman know she would need a carriage to go into town. She was surprised at how quickly Charles’s men were able to get a carriage readied.

He really did run a tight ship.

As she rode down into town she couldn’t help her mind from wandering back to her husband.

Everything that man touched he controlled. He carried an air of arrogance of a man who was used to getting his way because there simply was no other way. His word was final and pity to those who dared to tell him otherwise.

Sarah clenched her fists. He may have the control in some areas, but Sarah was determined to regain some footing when it came to her husband.

The carriage pulled up to a small modiste and stopped.

A footman appeared at the carriage door. “We’re here, Your Grace.”

The young man, whose name Sarah learned was William, helped her out of the carriage.

“And where is here, William?” Sarah squinted her eyes at the bright shining sun as she tried to read the sign.

“Cordell’s is the town’s most popular modiste. It’s not as fancy as the ones in London, but they take good care of the women here and I’ve never heard complaints.”

The coachmen let out a haughty cough.

The tips of William’s ear turned pink. “Ah, that is to say, that’s what my mum says anyway. Your Grace.”

Sarah smiled at the young man. “Thank you, William. I’m sure your mother has wonderful taste. Let’s go in, shall we?”

William dipped his head and held the door open for Sarah.

Sarah walked into the small modiste and stood as her eyes adjusted to the dim light inside.

William gestured to Sarah while looking towards the counter. “Miss Cordell, may I introduce you to Her Grace, Lady Sarah of Stoleton?”

A woman about Eleanor’s age came out from behind the counter. Her brown hair was neatly pinned up while her bright green eyes lit up as she approached Sarah.

“Your Grace, it as honor to have you in my humble modiste this morning.”

Sarah dipped her head. “The honor is all mine, I assure you. Young William here was telling me your shop is well known for taking care of the women in town.”

Miss Cordell’s face flushed and her eyes dropped before glancing at William from underneath her eyelashes.

Sarah’s smile widened. Perhaps it’s not only William’s mother who frequents this establishment.

“That is very kind of you, William.” The coquettish Miss Cordell replied. “I do my best to get what I can in from London to keep up with the latest fashion trends. Here,” Miss Cordell pointed to a counter with rows of satin ribbons lined up according to color. “I just got these in from a store in London. Aren’t they gorgeous?”

Sarah followed Miss Cordell over to the counter and took in the ribbons. They most definitely were divine.

“Do you get a lot of stock from London?” Sarah inquired..

Miss Cordell worried her bottom lips as her eyes darted to William before returning to Sarah.

Sarah bit her inner cheek to stop herself from grimacing. Why do I always feel like the people around me know something I do not?

“Not as regularly as I would like, Your Grace.” Her voice was low and despondent.

Miss Cordell took a breath before completely changing her disposition. “Are you in the market for a new dress, Your Grace?” She said as she gestured to a dress hanging in the display window. “Along with the ribbons I’ve received a few dresses that would look just darling on you.”

The word “darling” flipped a switch in Sarah’s brain. She could hear his husky whisper in her ear, and feel his hot breath on her neck. Her body began to buzz and a warmth started to grow from her core.

Sarah closed her eyes to refocus her thoughts. This was not the time, nor the place, to be thinking of the way her husband controlled her body last night.

“Not at this time, Miss Cordell. But I would love to purchase a few ribbons not only for myself but I would love to send some to my sister. She just had a baby and she always loved ribbons, I’m sure she would appreciate the gesture.”

Miss Cordell’s eyes sparkled. “How lovely. Which ones would you like, Your Grace?”

Sarah ran her hands over the cool fabric. “I’ll take these three, please?”

Miss Cordell busied herself with wrapping the ribbons and placed them in a small, pink box for William to take out to the carriage.

Sarah wandered through the store. William was right, it wasn’t as big as the ones she’s been to in London, but her selection was impressive for a small shop. There were some styles from a few seasons ago still displayed but for the most part the styles were relatively new.

Still…

“Miss Cordell? Why is it again you can’t get more shipments in from London, or Paris, for instance? Is there something standing in your way? Perhaps I can be of assistance.”

Miss Cordell opened her mouth but William interjected from the doorway. “Your Grace. I have placed your package in the carriage. Would you like to continue on or return to the estate?”

Sarah clucked her tongue. William’s sudden interjection raised her suspicion.

She thought back to her conversations with Lizzie and Mrs. Bates. She got more out of them when she complied to them instead of fighting against them. She would allow William to steer the conversation away from this particular topic, but she mentally added it to the growing list of things she was determined to find out about.

She thanked Miss Cordell for the ribbons and promised to stop back in later in the week to get a better look at the selection of her dresses.

As William ushered her out of the modiste she couldn’t help but think her dear husband had something to do with Miss Cordell’s predicament.

“Where would you like to go next, Your Grace?” William stood at the carriage, his body language suggesting he wanted nothing more than to return to the estate.

Sarah looked up and down the street. People were out and about, mostly minding their own business except for a few glances and whispers.

She tried not to take anything as untoward. She could understand why people would do a double take when it came to her. She imagined half of them were surprised someone deigned the Duke suitable enough for marriage.

Sarah shifted her feet as she adjusted her cuffs. If they only knew the reason why she married him. An arranged marriage wasn’t unheard of, but the part about her being left at the alter was one she didn’t wish to share.

A man across the street let out a boisterous laugh.

Sarah tilted her head, “Who is that over there?”

William rubbed the back of his neck. “The butcher, Your Grace. Mr. Crowfelt is his name.”

Sarah’s eyes lit up. “The butcher. I’m assuming that’s who supplies us with the delicious meats Cook serves us. They are the most scrumptious cuts of meat I’ve ever tasted. I know it’s not done, but I’m going to go over and say hello.”

William reached out to stop her but she was already across the street.

“Mr. Crowfelt, is it?”

A burly man with an apron stained red stood in a doorway to the shop.

“It is.”

An out of breath William scurried up to Sarah.

“Mr. Crowfelt, this is Lady Sarah, the Duchess of Stoleton.” The way William said her title had her looking at him curiously.

There was a weight to it, as if Mr. Crowfelt should mind what he says in her presence. She couldn’t have that. These people were in her care. They should be able to speak freely in front of her, how else would she be able to help them if the situation called for it.

The man’s face scrunched into a sneer.

Sarah dipped her head, “It a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Crowfelt.”

The man stood with his head cocked to the side. Sarah felt as if she were under interrogation for a crime she didn’t commit.

She shook off the inference and continued on. Not everyone gave the best first impression. Perhaps he was just shocked that the Duke not only found a wife, but she was able to string sentences together.

“William here had mentioned you are the butcher and I had to come tell you the meat you supply us with is top notch. Really. You could rival some shops in London.” She said with utmost sincerity. “Between the meats and luscious fruits and delectable vegetables I fear I may be visiting the modiste for constant changes in my measurements.” She mused.

She was good at winning people over with her kind disposition when the occasion called for it. She could tell this seemed like the perfect time to lay it on thick.

Mr. Crowfelt grunted.

Sarah’s smile wavered. Not the response she was expecting.

Sarah looked at William who was nervously looking back at the coachman who was looking on with shocked eyes.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Crowfelt. I fear I may have said something to upset you.”

The man snorted.

Sarah was losing patience. It was one thing to feel like she’s missing the bigger picture but it’s another thing entirely for a merchant to outright treat her like she’s not even there.

“Mr. Crowfelt, I must implore you to tell me of my offense. I just praised your meat-”

“It’s not my meat, Your Grace.” He spat.

Sarah’s mouth snapped shut.

“What your tongue when speaking to the Duchess.” William was no match for the surly butcher but Sarah admired his gravitas.

Sarah held a hand up to William. “It’s all right, William.”

She took a step closer to the butcher. “What do you mean it’s not your meat?” Sarah looked up and down the street. “Is there another butcher in this town?”

Mr. Crowfelt shook his head. “It’s just me, Your Grace. I help feed this entire town.”

Sarah narrowed her eyes in confusion. William rubbed his neck again, which clued Sarah in that she was touching upon a subject someone didn’t want her talking about.

And she knew exactly who that someone was.

Must his presence follow me everywhere!

She gave in at the modiste, but unlike Miss Cordell, Mr. Crowfelt felt like he would be willing to tell her what she wanted to know.

Sarah rubbed her temples. “I’m sorry, Mr. Crowfelt. If you don’t supply the estate with your meat, where does our meat come from?”

The man leaned against the door jamb and folded his arms across his wide chest.

William scoffed at the disrespectful gesture. It didn’t bother Sarah, she wanted to know what this man had to say more than she cared about the proper etiquette when speaking to someone of the peerage.

“You’ve been getting your meat and other foods, like your lovely fruits and vegetables, from other towns for awhile now, Your Grace.”

Exasperation and disbelief roared through her veins. “What do you mean?”

Mr. Crowfelt rolled his eyes, eliciting another huff from William. “I mean none of your food is from your duchy, Your Grace. His Grace has made deals with neighboring towns to supply the estate with food.”

Sarah scowled. “First of all, Mr. Crowfelt, it is not I who have been getting meat and food from other towns, it is the Duke. And I can assure you that will be changing at once.”

Mr. Crowfelt dropped his arms and stood straighter in the doorway. “Excuse me?”

Sarah rose her chin. “You heard me. I will personally see to it that you and your fellow merchants will supply us with our food. I cannot possibly fathom why the Duke would hinder your livelihood, his own people, like this but I will find out and,” she rose a finger in the air. “I will correct it.”

Sarah turned to William who looked pained standing there.

“I assume that my loving husband has something to do with why Miss Cordell has difficulty getting shipments from London and the like?”

William hemmed and hawed but Sarah didn’t have time for it. She returned her attention to Mr. Crowfelt.

Sarah gestured to the people who were meandering around their conversation, pretending not to listen.

“Mr. Crowfelt, I am no businesswoman, but everyone here looks well fed and not sickly so am I right to ascertain your handling of your products is above board and well maintained.”

Mr. Crowfelt’s expression turned steely. “I serve nothing but the best, Your Grace. I make sure everything is of the finest quality we can afford. We have the best livestock around. I think if you talk to anyone on this street they’d say the same thing regarding their goods.”

Sarah nodded. “Good. I do intend to talk to everyone. For some reason the Duke has decided to leave his people behind and that does not sit well with me, Mr. Crowfelt.”

Sarah swore she could hear William’s physical cringe but she ignored him.

Finally the man dropped his hardened expression and cracked a smile.

“I can honestly speak for all the merchants within this duchy that your words are welcome balm. We would love to serve our Duke, if he would let us.”

Sarah frowned. “He’ll let you, I will make sure of it.”

She finally put William out of his personal misery and bid farewell to the butcher to crossed the street back to her carriage.

“I take it we’re not going back to the estate, Your Grace.” William, God bless him, looked hopeful but Sarah had more important things to see to other than playing by her husband’s rules.

“Sorry, William. I feel there are many other merchants I must speak with. It is time for someone to teach His Grace that there is someone new with power and she intends to use it for good.”