Page 111 of The Duchess' Replacement

Sarah couldn’t take her eyes off of her husband. “Was that rehearsed?”

Charles pursed his lips. “Nora may have helped me.” He shrugged carelessly. “I’m trying.”

She rose onto her toes and kissed him. “Thank you, Charles. Thank you for coming for me, for trying, for…”

It was then her eyes saw the room they were standing in. Bright pink curtains and ruffles adorned the windows while the room was painted in a soft pink color. Pink satin pillows sat on pink ruched chairs, while pink linens covered the end tables by the doors.

“Oh my.” Sarah said, her eyes wide with shock. “This is… pink.”

Charles laugh echoed off the bare walls. “I figured you’d enjoy the idea of our study’s matching.” His wink set of a fit of giggles within Sarah.

“You can change it if you want. You can do anything you want. It’s all yours.” He gestured to the room. “Everything is yours. I’m yours.”

Sarah smiled as she looked back up into his eyes. “That’s all I ever wanted, Charles.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up in a twirl. “Then it is me you shall have.”

She leaned in and captured his lips in a soft kiss.

At last, the pieces of her life fit together. There was no more push or pull for control. Sarah and Charles were the perfect blend of the eternal romantic with a giant heart and the cautious businessman who protected his family.

Together, they would balance the scales of love in their favor.

EPILOGUE

Sarah set the paintbrush down and stretched her back. She’d been working on this particular landscape for a few hours now and she was starting to lose her light.

She stood up and began to gather her paints.

“How’s it coming along?”

Sarah looked up to see her husband leaning on the doorjamb.

She smiled as warmth rushed through her body. “It’s going well. I’m a little rusty, but I think it’s not bad for my first time painting in years.”

Charles stepped into the room and strolled over to the painting, wrapping his arms around her waist. The two of them looked at the unfinished artwork in front of them.

“It’s the lake from the point of view from under the willow tree.”

Sarah nodded and smiled. “You were so relaxed that day. It is one of my favorite memories, well, until those boys showed up.”

Charles sighed into her hair. “Yes, well, boys have a habit of showing up when they’re not wanted.”

“Knock! Knock! Anyone in here?” A voice drifted in through the door that connected the study.

Sarah sighed as she leaned into her husband. “Your brother is still here?” She whispered.

Her husband planted a kiss on the top of her head. “Yes, but, he has good news.”

“Ah. There you are.” Eli’s voice was light and cheerful.

“Hello, Eli.” Sarah composed herself. She had come to adore Eli. Once you got past his devilish charm and somewhat selfish ways, he had a very good heart with intelligence and good humor to spare.

“Your brother tells me you have good news.” Sarah picked up her paint pots and put them on a tray.

Eli pouted. “Charles. I wanted it to be a surprise.”

Charles did not find his raking charm amusing. “Get on with it. Sarah and I have things to attend to.”

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