Page 108 of The Duchess' Replacement

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.”

CHAPTER 28

Charles could barely contain himself. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this much energy coursing through him. Ever since his talk with Nora, getting back to Sarah was his first priority. There were things that needed to be addressed at the estate first, but as soon as those issues were taken care of he left in the next breath.

Sarah sat looking at her husband, her eyes were wide in shock. He brought a hand up to his hair and winced. His must have looked atrocious, his hair hadn’t seen a brush in days, and there was scruff on his cheeks.

“Charles, what has gotten into you?” She asked as the carriage pulled away from her sister’s home.

“You.” He said quite simply.

Sarah scrunched her face. “Me?”

Charles nodded. “Of course. Well, you and some much needed sense.”

Sarah offered a small smile. “And where did this much needed sense come from?”

“My sister.”

“Ah. It seems your siblings are putting more work into this marriage than either one of us.” Her voice dipped and she lowered her eyes. The rush of adrenaline seemed to have settled within both of them, leaving them in an cumbersome silence.

Charles moved to sit next to her on her side. His size didn’t make it easy, but she shifted as far over as possible so not to be squished by him.

“No. You tried, Sarah. You tried so many times, I see that now. I was the one who stifled our marriage. I saw it as a means to an end, something to quiet any rumors about my family, but what I didn’t count on was…” His voice trailed off as he looked into her eyes.

She licked her lips and held her breath.

“I did not count on my falling in love with you.”

Tears gathered in her eyes.

He took her small hands into his. “It’s true, Sarah. And that truth terrified me.” His eyes focused on their joined hands.

His eyes squeezed shut as he took a deep breath. He knew this moment was coming, that the grand gesture of showing up to bring her back wouldn’t be enough. Nora pointed out that Sarah was a lover of words. She could spend reading the written word and get lost in its stories. Actions were one thing, but she needed words.

“None of this is easy for me to talk about.” His voice came out gruff. “You must understand, I’m a man of action, not words. I don’t know how to tell you about my life, or how to open up about my past. It does not come as easily for me as it does for you.” He opened his eyes but focused them on the floor of the carriage. “I know only know how to do things.”

Sarah slipped a finger and pulled his chin up so she could look into his eyes.

“You love me?” Her voice whispered.

He shook his head. “Very much, I’m afraid.” He felt lighter saying the words, but her expression gave him pause.

She sat silent for a moment, searching his face. With a nod to herself she leaned forward.

“Then show me.” She said with an raise of her eyebrow.

Surprise flooded his system. “What?” He cocked his head to the side.

“You said you are a man of action. So show me how much you love me.”

His eyes searched hers. Could she really accept him so easily after all that had transpired between them?

He cradled her head in his hands and tipped her head back to take her mouth.

She leaned into his kiss as his tongue pushed into her mouth. A moan escaped her mouth as his arms reached down around her to pull her closer.

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