Page 7 of The Duchess' Replacement

“Lady Sarah,” he sighed, “why bother yourself with the details? What done is done. My brother is no good to anyone.” He sighed and rested his head on the back of the chair. “Consider yourself lucky.”

“Lucky?” She cried out. “I am ruined! No one will want me because of what he did! I deserve an answer.”

Her petulant behavior was cute at first but it was growing tiresome. He liked his women to have a bit more bite to them. He usually doesn’t misjudge women. He rubbed his eyes. He must be tired.

Charles took another sip to which she groaned and stomped over to the chair opposite him and sat down.

“The Duke of Graynor assured me that your family was a respectable and kind family. If this is how you-”

Charles sat up. “Do not believe everything you hear about my family.” His voice was cold as steel.

Sarah looked up from where she sat. “Obviously.” She deadpanned.

Charles sat back, studying her. She was an interesting creature. One minute she was reserved, only to be quick witted and mouthy in the next.

Charles shook his head. “The truth of the matter is I cannot give you a reason, because I do not know the reason. I don’t even know where my brother is, haven’t seen hims since he left this morning.”

Her shoulders sank at his admission.

For reason beyond his comprehension he felt the need to give her some words of solace.“But I know my brother, and I trust his answer would give you no respite. I stand by my earlier statement, what is done is done. I suggest you find a way to move on. It’s a lesson I have had to teach myself in regards to my brother. He is no good to anyone.”

Charles looked out the window into the darkening night. “I’m sure another scandal is in the making right now and this will all be forgotten in a few days.”

Sarah narrowed her eyes. “That’s it? Just move on? You can offer no other insight other than ‘just move on’?”

She blinked a few times, then pointed in the air in a gesture of wait. “Maybe something happened to him? If you haven’t seen him since this morning, perhaps there was an accident with the carriage.”

Charles laughed, mockingly.

Sarah looked at him questioningly. “Why are you laughing? What if something truly happened to him?”

“I’m laughing at you.”

“Excuse me?” Sarah’s hand flew up to cover her chest in horror.

“He left you at the the alter and you are still giving him allowances.” Charles rolled his eyes. “Where is the women who nearly knocked over my butler demanding answers?” Charles curled his lip in a sneer. “I would much rather talk to her than this hopeful optimist who can’t see the bullet she dodged with his actions.”

Charles stopped and leaned forward, scrutinizing her. She shift under his gaze. “It’s a shame. Someone as gullible as you is actually what my brother craves. I assume he’ll be quite annoyed with his decision to let the likes of you go.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “How dare you. I may be an optimistic, or a romantic, but I know my worth. I thought I could come here and speak with him or someone,” she snarled, “who had some modicum of decency who could ease my mind. But I see now that this family has no such decorum.”

She stood with such force the chair wobbled from behind her.

Charles raised his hand but his demeanor remained unaffected by her sudden movements.

“All my carriages are accounted for. The one he used to go to the church has been returned without him in it. No foul play, I’m afraid.” Charles rubbed his chin. “Although, one can’t give up hope, I suppose.” Charles chuckled at the thought of his brother lying helpless in a ditch somewhere. Definitely would make things easier for him to discipline Eli.

“You honestly have no regard for your family?” Sarah spat. She shook her head in disbelief as she marched towards the door.

“My brother has been making a mockery of our family for years. I have little patience for spoiled brats. You’re not the only one whose name is at stake thanks to his selfishness.”

Charles bit his tongue. He hated allowing anyone to see him, or his family, as anything other than strong and formidable, but if anyone could relate to the exhaustion his brother caused, it would be this woman before him.

Charles watched as some of the fight drained from Sarah’s frame. She was extremely responsive to those around her.

“I’m sorry. I’ve only had to deal with him this once, I could not imagine being repeatedly let down in this manner over and over again. While I’m not looking forward to dealing with the fallout, my ruination will no doubt be something I fear I won’t overcome, but at least he is out of my life.”

Charles only grunted his acknowledgment of his life sentence cleaning up his brother’s mistakes.

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