The Duchess’ Replacement (Unrelenting Lords #2)

Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

“ S he went where?” Charles slammed the tumbler down on his desk.

Samuels stood in the doorway with his hands behind his back. “William accompanied her to the town, Your Grace.”

Charles leaned over his desk. It was all he could do to keep himself from charging over to Samuels and ringing his neck for no reason other than he was the bringer of bad news.

“And who let her go into town?” He was seething. The thought of his wife congregating with those people made his blood boil.

Samuels blinked a few times and cleared his throat. “No one, Your Grace. She is the Duchess, I didn’t think she needed anyone’s permission to go.”

“Are you talking back to me, Samuels?” Charles knew his line of attack was uncalled for. He knew Samuels wasn’t to blame for his wife’s actions. But since she wasn’t here, and unfortunately for Samuels was, he was going to get Charles’s wrath.

Samuels audibly swallowed. “No, Your Grace. I’m only saying that-”

Charles’s hand slashed through the air cutting his butler off.

“No. You’re not to blame for this. You know how I feel about those people.”

Charles straightened his posture and adjusted his cravat before running his hands through his hair. “Is she back?”

The sound of hooves hitting the dirt out front drifted in from the outside. Charles’s eyes darted to Samuels.

“That must be them now, Your Grace.” Samuels offered.

Samuels barely had enough time to move out of the way as Charles barreled past him.

Charles pushed out of the main door just in time to see his wife being helped out of the carriage by a young footman.

“Thank you, William.” She smiled at him demurely and, by God, was the boy blushing? “Will you see that my packages make it up to my room, please?”

“What is the meaning of this?” Charles bellowed from the stoop.

The look of surprise only lasted a moment before Sarah’s face turned icy. “Ah, husband. So good to see you today. I missed you at breakfast.”

Charles ignored her jab. “I asked you a question, Sarah.” He growled.

She laughed.

Charles stood stunned. The chit had the audacity to laugh.

She sighed then dared to look bored. “I’m sorry, Your Grace. I missed your question. Will you please repeat it?”

Charles took a deep breath and felt his right eye begin to twitch.

“I asked you what is the meaning of this.” He gestured to the boy William, who was standing scared next to the open carriage door.

Good. He should be scared. They all should be scared.

Sarah looked at William and then back to Charles. “I’m not sure what you’re implying, Your Grace. I went into town today and William accompanied me, as he should have. He was quite the guide when it came to the townspeople.”

A slight buzzing sound accompanied his twitching eye.

Charles brought up his hand in question.“Did you say townspeople?”

Sarah laughed… again.

“Yes, Your Grace.” Sarah nodded to William and made her way to the door where Charles stood.

“There are people who live in the town who are commonly referred to as townspeople. Although, from what I’ve heard, I’m not surprised you are not aware of their presence.”

Sarah’s eyes cut to Charles’s as she passed him then she left him to walk further into the house.

“Samuels,” she called back to him. “Is dinner ready? I’m famished from all the lovely conversations I’ve had with the residents.”

Samuels had come to stand behind Charles, just within the house.

“Yes, Your Grace. Dinner will be served shortly.” He answered Sarah’s call from where he stood.

“Wonderful.” Her voice grew softer as she ascended the staircase. “I shall be down promptly. I hope to see you there, husband.”

Charles was left staring at William. The boy was wilting under his stare. Charles cracked his neck as he stalked to the footman who was know quivering in his spot by the carriage.

“Where did you take her?” Charles towered over the young man.

“Just into town, Your Grace.” His voice shook with fear which fueled Charles.

“And who did she speak with?” Charles leaned into him.

Countless situations ran through Charles’s head. Who did she speak to? What did they tell her? Does she know about his family?

“Answer me!” He roared.

William winced. “The modiste, Your Grace. She spoke with Miss Cordell and bought some ribbons.”

Charles narrowed his eyes. “Who else?”

The boy swallowed, his throat bobbing with the effort.

“Mr. Crowfelt and some others, Your Grace.” The footman’s voice was shaky and high pitched.

Charles cocked his head to the side. “The butcher?”

William shook his head fervently. “Yes, Your Grace.”

Charles tilted his head. “What could she possibly talk about with a butcher?”

William licked his dry lips.

“It was nothing, Your Grace,” the coachman interjected from where he still sat in the front of the carriage. “She was just making herself known to the people. They seemed to like her. Nothing untoward or sensational happened. Not that I could see from my perch on the carriage, Your Grace.”

Charles looked at the coachman. He couldn’t remember his name, but he’s been around for some time and he always seemed reliable.

Charles grunted as he looked back to the footman who looked like he was about to pass out.

He nodded to the carriage. “Make sure these packages get to her rooms promptly and without damage.”

The young man dipped his head and started grabbing as many packages as he could before he scurried into the house.

Charles looked up to the coachman. The old man looked met his eyes with something akin to disappointment before it was cleared from the man’s expression.

“If you don’t mind me saying so, Your Grace, William is a good lad. Does what he’s told, always willing to help or do more. He’s very well liked amongst the staff.”

Charles furrowed his brows. Usually he would not condone such an opinion from staff, but the coachman, Robbins? Tobbins? Doesn’t matter , had been with the family since Charles was a young boy. This man has stood with his family through their darkest times and if there was one thing Charles appreciated from those around him it would be loyalty.

“You’ve been with my family for a long time.”

The coachman dipped his head. “Well before you were born, Your Grace. I had the honor of bringing your father home from a meeting in London when he got word of your arrival. He was so excited, Your Grace.”

Charles allowed the corners of his lips to curl in a slight smile.

“I appreciate your loyalty and your dedication to my family. However, mind your words when speaking to me.” He warned. He held the man’s eyes long enough for the man to dip his head in acknowledgement. Charles watched as the man drove the carriage to the stables.

Charles turned on his heel and met Samuels at the doorway.

Samuels stood taller, most likely hearing Charles’s conversation with the coachman. Samuels may be getting older, but his hearing was far from giving in to age.

“Will you be dining with Her Grace this evening, Your Grace.” Samuels asked.

Charles pushed out a breath. “Yes. It seems my wife and I have some things to discuss.”

Sarah breezed into the dining room. She was exhausted from the day and her body ached for the comfort of her bed, but her mind was buzzing with all the information she gathered today.

Most of the people she met took some time to warm up to her but once they did she found them nothing but jovial, kind people who had a love for their town and their neighbors. It really was a nice little town. She felt very lucky, she couldn’t have asked for a better duchy.

Her mood quickly soured when her eyes crashed into her husband’s dark green eyes. She hated how they sparkled in the low light. Of course, she also secretly loved it, but she would never admit that.

Especially not after all she learned in town.

“Your Grace.” Her head bobbed as she took her seat opposite of him. “It’s nice to see you. I was starting to think you never ate.”

Charles remained unmoved. He sat still with only his eyes moving, watching, studying her every move.

Sarah shifted under his gaze.

His unforgiving stare was making her uncomfortable and she so desperately wanted to fidget to release some anxiety.

She was still gathering information on her husband, but one thing she was absolutely sure of was his incessant need for control.

No doubt remaining quiet and motionless was a power tactic.

Well, two can play at this game.

Sarah was not known for her quiet countenance but she was determined to gather any control she could get her hands on. She lost a major battle last night in the study and she was intent on reclaiming some ground.

She smiled across the table and unfolded her napkin in her lap.

Several servers came in with a tray of meat and other sides that made Sarah’s mouth fill with saliva even if it did remind her how their people were being forgotten outside these walls.

Her stomach growled reminding her she hadn’t eaten a bite since breakfast.

She opened her mouth to ask Charles a question but promptly closed it, remembering her earlier resolve not to be the first to cave into conversation.

“Everything all right, Your Grace?”

Sarah looked up to one of the servers standing next to her..

“Oh, yes, sorry, did you ask me something?” Sarah inwardly chastised herself for not being present. Here she has concocted a competition between her and the Duke in which she wasn’t entirely sure he knew he was playing.

Sarah sighed. Her mother was right. Sometimes her imagination got away from her.

“I only offered you something to drink, Your Grace.”

Sarah looked at her empty glass. “Oh, yes. I would love some, thank you, Christopher.”

The young man smiled at his name. She made it a point to learn everyone’s name, it made her feel more connected to her new home.

She took a sip, peering over her glass to her husband who was still staring at her. Only now he was cutting his meat without looking at it.

Sarah swallowed a healthy portion of her wine and sputtered a little afterward. “I hope your day treated you well, Your Grace.”

Charles blinked and a wide, triumphant smile spread across his face.

Blast it. I was right.

Sarah rolled her lips. He was waiting for her to talk first. She pushed her annoyance to the side. After all, she had more pressing matters to discuss then seeing who talked first.

“It was going smashingly until I heard my wife went into town without telling me.” He said before he took a bite of a potato.

Sarah picked up her fork and stabbed a piece of meat.

“I’m sorry, husband. I was unaware of that rule. I’m pretty sure I remember them perfectly.” Sarah squinted her eyes as she looked up towards the ceiling. “Let’s see. Ah yes, the first one was I will mind my business when it comes to your family.”

She popped a piece of meat in her mouth and chewed. She swallowed and pointed her fork at Charles. “I already broke that one.” She said with a smile. She thought she saw the corner of his mouth twitch but she couldn’t be sure.

“The second was I will not disturb you unless there is true emergency. As I don’t see visiting the people that live within our duchy as an emergency, you can’t be referring to that one.”

Sarah brought her fork back down and poked another piece of meat. “Number three was I will fulfill all my duties as Duchess. I would think getting to know the townspeople would be a part of that. And there is one more…” Sarah brought her fork up to tap her chin. “Now what was that one?” She stuck her fork in the air. “I remember,” she said brightly. “I will give you an heir,” her voice dropped to annoyance. “How could I possibly forget that one.”

“I couldn’t fathom as you seem to have lost your manners.” Charles growled.

Sarah tilted her head in defiance. “I match respect, Your Grace. You show me respect, I show you respect. It’s simple as that. It is a quality I find most helpful when deciding who is worth my time.”

Charles scoffed. “And those people,” he nodded to the window, “down there? Are they worth your time?”

Sarah cocked her head in disbelief. She rose a finger to the same window he gestured to. “Those people are your people, Your Grace! Why do you speak of them in such a manner?”

Charles’s face darkened. “They are not to be trusted, Sarah. I would expect a better judge of character from you.” Charles pinned her with a look. “Although, you did think my brother would be a suitable match.”

Sarah’s vision blurred with quiet rage. She took a few breaths to settle herself. She just learned another characteristic of her husband, he is quick to lash out when he felt out of control.

Noted.

“I beg to differ, Your Grace.” Sarah made sure her voice was steady and even. “I may have only met them for a few moments but what I saw was resilience and pride. They were kind and-”

Charles huffed out a laugh, stopping her words. “Kind. They are not kind. They see you as a way to get to me. Trust me, Sarah, they will only use you and hurt you. And I will not be there to rescue you especially since you were warned.”

Sarah laughed. “Trust you? I know less about you than I do about them. Why should I trust you any more than them?”

Charles wiped his mouth his napkin before throwing it onto his plate. “You know only what they tell you, and what they tell you is lies.”

Sarah shook her head. “How do you know what they told me?”

Charles rested his elbows on the table. “All right then, tell me what they told you.”

Sarah raised her chin. “Very well. While they are only trying to survive you make deals with other towns instead of looking to your own people. Mr. Crowfelt, the town’s only butcher, told me that he does not supply this house with our meat, that you get it elsewhere. Is that true?”

Charles nodded. “Yes.”

Sarah was shocked with his quick affirmation. No remorse or guilt colored the word.“Why?”

Charles grimaced. “Because it is my choice and I choose elsewhere.”

Sarah slumped back against her chair. She was beginning to think there was no arguing with this man. How can you argue with someone who always thinks he’s right?

“What could possibly be the reason why you would choose another supplier over your own butcher in your own town? Do you not care for your people?”

Charles straightened his cravat. “I can care for my people and not trust them in the same breath. They are not mutually exclusive.”

Sarah’s back straightened. “Not trust them? Why wouldn’t you trust them?”

Charles stood, his chair scraping the floor. “I’ve had enough of this conversation. I’m retiring to my study. Samuels?”

Samuels stepped up from this place in the corner. “Yes, Your Grace.”

“I’ll be finishing my meal in the study. Please have someone bring it to me.”

Samuels nodded and quickly left the room to fetch a maid.

Charles walked towards the door and stopped at Sarah’s side.

“You live in a fairytale, Sarah. Not everyone is looking out for you. We may have our differences, and you may not know a lot about me, but one thing you can absolutely count on is I will look out for you. If something happens to you it happens to me.”

Sarah eyes reached up and met his as he stood over her. “What I hear is you only care about my wellbeing because it may reflect poorly on you?”

A flash of emotion crossed his face but disappeared too quickly for Sarah to decipher what it was.

Charles only looked down at her. “Good night, Sarah,” he said as he left her sitting alone in the dining room.