Page 18 of The Duchess' Replacement

She looked at the empty chair across from her.

“Thank you, Samuels.” She said as she unfolded a napkin and placed it in her lap. “Tell me, will His Grace be joining me tonight?”

Samuels cleared his throat. “No, Your Grace. I fear His Grace has been locked away in office all day. He is a-”

“Very busy man.” She sighed. “Yes. I know. It’s all I hear.” Sarah didn’t try to disguise the frustration in her voice.

Last night was exactly what she needed. She got all of her tears out and now she was left with pure annoyance and angst. Before she came down for dinner she had a brief moment of hesitation. She considered eating in her room again, but she’d be damned if she was going to hide in her room like some lost and hurt lamb.

Her mother raised her better than that.

“No worries, Samuels.” She brushed the notion off. “I will visit him in his study after I eat.”

Sarah had to bite her lip to hide her smile. The abject horror written across Samuels face along with the tension that rolled off of him was amusing.

She quirked an eyebrow. “Am I not allowed to visit my husband, Samuels?”

Watching him fidget and squirm gave Sarah a rush of excitement.

Mayhap their loyalty to him isn’t out respect, but fear.

Sarah snorted to herself. That seemed more likely the case. She had originally thought everyone spoke highly of her new husband out of respect but the way the poor butler was shifting in front of her, it was more likely they were afraid of him.

Not to mention the peculiar way Lizzie and Mrs. Bates reacted her to questioning about eating with him in his study last night.

Well, lucky for her, she was particularly good at standing her ground and engaging with bullies. She finally felt some semblance of control settle within her.

Sarah leaned towards to where Samuels stood.

“Don’t worry.” She whispered. “I will tell him that you fought me tooth and nail but you finally gave in because I used my feminine wiles on you and you’re no match for me.” She winked, hoping to break the tension.

To her satisfaction, Samuels breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, Your Grace. I remember our first encounter. You are not someone to be trifled with.”

Sarah let out a laugh that echoed through the empty dining room.

“If I’m not being too forward, Your Grace. It is nice to see you smile. You looked quite worrisome at the church.”

Sarah looked up to Samuels. “You were at the church?”

Samuels nodded. “Mrs. Bates and I were in attendance on behalf of His Grace.”

The familiar scene flashed before her eyes. She remembered seeing a man and a woman in the pews opposite her mother and sister.

“Ah. You’re right.” Sarah settled back into her chair.

“Yes. I’m feeling a bit more settled now than I was then.” Sarah chuckled. “For the most part.”

Samuels nodded and excused himself to see to other duties.

Sarah acknowledged his departure and returned to the plate in front of her. She told herself she would enjoy the moment.

Spending the day acclimating to her new role, speaking with the servants, having a good meal brought a sense of familiarity she so desperately needed.

It also gave her the resolve to march right up to that study door and demand entry.

As soon as she finished with dinner, it would be time for her husband to know his wife was not just a trophy he could set somewhere and take out when needed.

She had opinions and her own set of rules she needed implemented as well.

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