The Duchess’ Replacement (Unrelenting Lords #2)

Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

S arah sat in the library staring at the same page she’d been looking at for the past hour. She had hoped time away from Charles would help clear her mind and put things into perspective. Unfortunately for her, it has only muddled her mind more.

“Sarah?” Marie, Eleanor’s maid, stepped into the library. “There’s someone here to see you. Niles escorted him to the parlor. He is waiting for you there. Would you like me to get Her Grace to accompany you?”

Sarah sat up. Her heart skipped a beat. Could it be Charles come for her?

“Do you know who it is, Marie?” Sarah couldn’t hide the hopefulness in her voice.

Marie pursed her lips. “I’m sorry, Your Grace, I do not.” She looked thoughtful for a moment. “He looks about your age, perhaps a year or two older. Dark hair, beautiful green eyes…” Her voice drifted off when she caught herself getting lost in her recall.

Her cheeks brightened to a pink. “Excuse me, Your Grace. I didn’t mean to say all that.”

Sarah chuckled. “It’s all right, Marie. We all get lost in eyes sometimes, especially when they’re green.”

Sarah brushed the wrinkles out of her skirt as she stood. She followed Marie down the hall and towards the parlor. All the while her mind was going through the men she knew that would pay her a visit.

Sadly, a man her age was not Charles. She knew plenty of men with dark hair, but only two with dark hair and green eyes.

“Eli.” She whispered as her eyes met his from where he stood in the parlor. “What are you doing here?”

Eli turned at his name and sheepishly greeted her. “Sarah. I hope you’re not upset I came to see you.”

He rubbed his hands together in front of him, he looked uncertain of his next step now that she was here.

Sarah lifted a shoulder. “I don’t see why I would be. Is everything all right?”

Eli ran a hand through his hair, leaving it sticking up in some places. He blew out a breath. “I was hoping we could talk.”

His words trailed into an awkward silence.

“About what?” Sarah furrowed her brows.

“Charles.”

Sarah’s heart thumped at the sound of his name. Not more than a moment ago she had hoped he was standing here, but now, at the mention of his name, she was frozen. What had he come to tell her? Did Charles make amends with Eli and then asked him to break the news that Charles no longer wanted her?

Sarah pinched the bridge of her nose. She has to stop reading such dramatic novels, they are causing her imagination to run wild. Charles can barely look at Eli let alone send him on personal missions.

“What about Charles?” She asked timidly. She doubted Eli had seen Charles since they parted but, with Eli, she could never be sure of what his true intentions were.

Eli blew out a breath and pointed to the window. “Would you care for a walk? I find conversations flow better when one walks.”

Sarah looked outside to the sunny summer day. She sighed. “Very well.”

They walked outside and Sarah led Eli down the path to the small flower garden Eleanor had planted outside of her home.

Eli kept his hands behind his back while they walked side by side along the path.

“This is a beautiful piece of property. It looks like your sister and-”

“Why are you here, Eli?” She interrupted his mindless chatter.

Eli smiled. “I definitely misjudged you when we first met. For that I apologize.”

Sarah squinted against the afternoon sun. “You already apologized for your part in our past and I have accepted. Why are you really here?”

“You’re right. I have apologized for misjudging you, but Charles has not. Which is why I’m here.”

Sarah stopped to look at Eli. “Are you here to apologize for him?”

Eli guffawed. “Heavens, no. The old sport can do that himself. However,” he adjusted his cravat, “I am here to shine some more light on my family dynamics.”

“This is all good and well, Eli, but I feel even if I were able to relive your family’s past with you, your brother would still not approve of my knowing about it.”

The broken pieces of her heart rattled within her chest. It hurt knowing that Charles didn’t allow her in or that he didn’t give her a chance to understand.

Eli’s laugh was a bit more subdued this time. “You’re not wrong. He’s very protective of our family. And I have made us an easy target these past few years.”

Sarah grimaced. “I agree.”

They continued to walk, making their way to a bench that sat next to a fountain.

“Our father’s death changed Charles.” Eli said as he motioned to Sarah to sit on the bench. He continued to pace in front of her.

Sarah bit her cheek from smiling. It seems pacing is another common trait amongst the siblings.

“Not only was he a newly appointed Duke, our mother did not handle his death well. She was distant and despondent. Then one day she wakes us up to tell us that she will be having another child. We would’ve been shocked but life returned in our mother’s eyes. She was happy and had purpose again. Charles and I didn’t push for details to risk losing that.”

Eli stopped and looked down at his boots. “That’s when life became really difficult. Rumors started circulating in the town and mother’s trips to help those in need were rejected. It shattered her. It was like losing our father all over again. The taunts and ridicule she received was abhorrent.”

He rubbed the back of his neck as he brought his eyes to look up to the sky. Sarah sat still on the bench, wanting to know more, but at the same time wanting to hug the young Eli who had to go through this. And, yet, even through his retelling, Sarah couldn’t help but wish this was all coming from Charles.

“It affected Charles and I differently. I figured if people were going to make up rumors the pressure to be the perfect in the eyes of the peerage was pointless. So I went and had my fun, not realizing I was making it more difficult for Charles.”

Sad, green eyes met hers. “Where I was soft and having fun, Charles was hardening himself against the world in order to protect what he could. Our livelihood is that duchy and if anything happened to it we would be done for. Everyone was waiting for him to make a mistake.”

A small sigh escaped his lips as he dropped his eyes to the ground. “I guess they still are.”

Sarah fought to swallow over the lump that formed in her throat. She bit her bottom lip to stop it from quivering. Her hands clenched into fists to stop her from reaching out to him, to stop from lashing out against the world for being so cruel.

“I wish your brother had told me this.” Her words were broken, her throat felt like shards of glass.

Eli let out another deep laugh. “That is the point of me telling you this.” Eli came to her and pulled her up to stand in front of him.

“He has spent almost fourteen years fighting for this family, protecting it from any ill intention from every direction. The concept of someone from the outside being on his side is foreign to him. In his mind, you shouldn’t exist. You confuse him. Hell, you might even scare him.” He said with a wink.

Sarah couldn’t help but smile from his words. And she had to admit he was rather charming when he wanted to be. She could see how so many women fall into his trap.

She let out a cleansing breath. “Thank you, Eli, truly. Thank you for seeking me out, again, to let me in. It’s honestly all I’ve ever wanted.”

Embarrassed by her truth she lowered her eyes.

Eli lifted her chin with his hand. “Come now, he’ll come to his senses. I promise you. It’s the one thing Charles is good at is not letting loose ends go.”

Sarah chuckled. “First a mistake, now I’m a loose end.” She teased.

Eli laughed at her joke as he rolled his eyes. “You are a smart one. He definitely won’t let you go.”

His words sobered Sarah. “Do you think so?”

Heavens, she hated how small her voice sounded.

Eli cocked his head to the side and looked at her. He nodded solemnly. “I know my brother. He cares for you but he has trained himself to expect the worst in people.”

Sarah’s shoulders sagged.

Eli’s hands reached out to her shoulders. “Look at me, Sarah. He’ll come around. I just know it.”

Sarah forced a smile as his arms wrapped around her in a soul soothing hug. She relaxed against him and let the comfort of a friend take hold of her.

Just as her eyes fluttered shut she saw the outline of a giant step into the sun and place one enormous hand onto Eli’s back.

“Why is it every time I see you, you are hugging my wife?” Charles snarled as he grabbed Eli and pulled him back so forcefully Eli went tumbling behind them.

“Charles!” Sarah’s eyes widened. “What are you doing here?”

Eli laughed from where he landed. “See? I told you he’d come for you.” He coughed a few times as he tried to stand up.

Sarah’s eyes rounded. How hard did Charles throw him?

Charles ignored Sarah’s question as he stomped over to Eli.

“I thought I told you I didn’t want you anywhere near my family?” Charles lunged down and picked Eli up by the collar. Holding him at arm’s length Charles pulled his one arm back, ready to punch Eli.

Sarah yelped as she darted to jump in between the men.

“Sarah,” Charles seethed through clenched teeth. “Get out of the way.”

Sarah scowled. “I will not. Once again, Eli has shown progress and has come here to make amends, on your account, mind you. If you want to be mad at someone be mad at me for hearing him out. But, if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here talking with you.”

Charles lowered his arm, and raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“He gave me some much needed insight into your family’s past.”

Charles’s eyes darted behind Sarah to look at Eli.

Sarah moved her head so her eyes clashed with Charles’s. “And before you start throwing your weight around here, may I remind you that I am a part of this family now. Eli came to me as a brother to tell me some important information about why my husband is the way he is.”

Charles’s shoulders went up and his rose a hand. “Wait just a minute…”

Sarah took a step towards him. “I have waited enough minutes, Charles. I have let you keep your secrets for far too long. It is now my turn to talk.”

Charles stood astonished while Eli snickered behind her. “I think I’m done here.”

Sarah reached behind her and pointed to the bench while keeping her eyes on Charles. “Sit down, Eli.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Eli slinked around Sarah, avoiding Charles and made himself comfortable on the bench. “Come to think of it, I’d rather like to see my big brother get the proper dressing down he deserves.”

Sarah and Charles both raised an eyebrow in his direction.

“That’s enough out of you.” Charles chastised.

“Charles.” Sarah took his hand. “I understand why you reacted the way you did to my finding your mother’s rooms, to your sister’s interaction with those boys, to my questions, however,” she shook her head out of frustration, “I just don’t understand why you couldn’t talk to me. As someone who never shies away from a conversation I find miscommunication and avoidance tiresome.”

Charles rolled his lips. Sarah watched as this cravat bobbed with his swallow.

His voice cracked when he started to speak. “It’s been a long time I had someone I could trust. My parents were my rock, then when my father died, and my mother lost herself, it was like I lost both parents. Then word of her pregnancy spread and it…”

His cravat bobbed again.

Sarah reached out to pull him to her. She wrapped her arms around him as his head bowed over hers.

She rested her cheek on his chest. “You don’t need to go into details right now. My sister and Derek told me what happened and Eli filled in any missing pieces.”

Charles stiffened.

Sarah pushed away from him. “No, don’t do that. Do not freeze on me, Charles. If we have any chance of making this work you need to let me in. You can’t barge into someone else’s home and accost the guests,” she said as she gestured to Eli. Who, had the insight to smile arrogantly and throw a little wave at his brother.

“You can’t be upset if people talk to me and tell me what’s going on in their lives. And if their lives just so happen to intersect with yours all the better!”

Sarah’s racing heart was about to leap out of her chest. Her chest was heaving with each gulp of air she took. She felt frantic, she felt energized, but most of all, she felt like it was now or never to lay it on the line for Charles.

“We are husband and wife, Charles. If I recall, you said yourself, what happens to me happens to you. Then how do you not understand what happens to you happens to me!” Her voice strained against her dry throat.

She waved her hands in between them. “You cannot refuse to let me in but then take me when you want. You cannot hide things from me, but then claim me as your own.”

Sarah’s voice began to tremble as tears clouded her vision.

“You cannot shut me out but make me love you.” The tears spilled over and raced down her cheeks.

Charles stepped forward. “Sarah.” His voice broke. “Sarah, do you…” He lifted her chin with his finger, his thumb wiped away the tear that had just fallen.

“Do you mean that?” His words were full of wonderment.

Sarah blinked the tears away and pulled her head from his grasp. “Mean what?”

A bright wide smile broke on Charles’s face. “You do, don’t you!”

His arms reached around her, pulling her towards him in a crushing hug.

“Oof. Charles…” Her voice was muffled against his chest. “What has gotten into you?” She finally asked when he released her.

Her held her head in his hands. “You love me.”

Sarah opened her mouth but Charles’s mouth swallowed any words she was about to say.

When they broke apart Charles’s eyes were wide with joy. “Say it again.”

Sarah smiled and shook her head. “I love you.”

Charles scooped her up and swung her around.

“Charles,” she squealed. “Put me down!”

Her feet hit the ground but he still had her enveloped in a hug.

“Well, I can see my services are no longer needed.” Eli stood and began to move towards the house.

Charles’s hand flew, hitting his chest to stop him. “Just a minute, brother.”

Eli sighed. “Seriously, Charles. You have your wife. It seems like she has forgiven you, let this go.”

Sarah pulled away from Charles, cautiously. Eli was right, she supposed she did forgive him, however, she was interested in what Charles had to say to his brother. Was he still upset with him for telling her? For coming here?

“I want to say I’m sorry.” Charles offered.

“I’m sorry what?” Eli asked the same time as Sarah’s, “Really?”

Charles smirked. “I know.” He looked down to Sarah. “It seems my brother isn’t the only one making changes around here.”

His eyes met his brother’s. “Eli. Thank you for having the foresight to come here and tell Sarah what she needed to know. I…” he cleared his throat, “it seems I have to get used to having more people on my side.”

Eli smiled and shook off his brother’s apology. “Don’t mention it. But, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll be mentioning this for awhile. I love the idea of having something over you.”

“Eli.” Sarah warned.

The rakish smile returned on Eli’s face as he held his hands up. “I’m joking, I’m joking.”

He held out a hand to Charles. “All is forgiven, brother. On to bigger and better things, yeah?”

Charles took his hand and shook it. “Absolutely.”

Sarah sighed in relief. “Well, now that is taken care of, Charles would you like to, whoa!”

Her words were cut off by Charles picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder.

“Charles! What are you doing? Put me down this instance!” Her tiny fists didn’t make a difference as they beat his back. Although, secretly, she didn’t mind being manhandled by her husband. However, this was not the time or place for those kinds of thoughts.

“Not a chance in hell, my darling. We have some catching up to do, both in conversations and in other areas.”

Sarah was grateful her face wasn’t visible for anyone to see. She was sure it was as red as the dawning day.

She heard a laugh behind her and she picked her head up to see Eli laughing at them.

Sarah raised a finger to point at him. “Make sure you find your way back to the estate. We have more to talk about!”

Charles halted his hurried steps and he turned towards his brother, rather abruptly. Sarah clenched the back of his jacket to stop herself from falling.

“But do not come any time soon. I will need several days to reacquaint myself with my wife.”

Sarah gasped at his insinuation to his brother. “Charles! That is inappropriate to say to your brother in my presence!”

“You may need a week, brother, she seems like a talker.” Eli quipped.

Sarah raised her head to see a laughing Eli. “Eli! That is inappropriate to say to your brother in my presence. Honestly, who raised you both?”

Her laughs were muted by her husband’s back as he carried her to his carriage.

“Where are you taking me?” She managed to say in between giggles.

Charles opened the door and plopped her inside. He climbed in after her, and reached a hand outside to tap the roof, signaling the coachman to go.

“Home. I’m taking you home.”