Page 19 of The Duchess' Replacement

Charles sat at his desk, pouring over his ledger. He’d have to find a new supplier for meat, prices were going up and he was going to start losing money soon.

Charles put down his pen and rubbed his eyes.

A knock at the door had him sighing. “Come in.”

A second passed and the door didn’t open.

Charles looked at the door and quirked an eye brow. Did he imagine it? He looked at the clock. It was past dinner time. Maybe his brain was telling him it was time to take a break.

Another knock came, this time a little softer.

“Come in!” He bellowed.

He sat back in his chair impatiently waiting for the door to open. He rested an elbow on the arm of the chair, his fingers restlessly rubbing his chin.

The door creaked as it was pushed open ever so slowly. The anticipation was irritating him.

“Well, in or out. What do you want?”

Just then a dark blonde head popped through the door.

Sarah.

His eyes narrowed on her as she slowly stepped into his office. She was unsure of her place with him and that’s how he liked it. There have been too many times in his life where he was not in control of the narrative and he vowed he’d never give that power up again.

Once fully inside she closed the door and looked around the room.

He cleared his throat and her vision snapped back to him. She took a deep breath and a look of determination coated her features.

It stirred something within him.

Charles hid his smile behind his hand. He liked to be challenged. It brought more satisfaction when he, undoubtedly, got his way.

“How long are you going to avoid me?” She huffed out in annoyance.

Charles pursed his lips.

“I don’t recall avoiding you. In fact, I haven’t seen you. How could I avoid you if I haven’t seen you?” Charles kept his voice light and nonplussed.

He was delighted that he could actually witness her temper rising within her. A beautiful red flush crept high on her cheeks as her eyes widened. She threw her arms out wide, signaling to the room.

“That’s exactly what I mean Charles. I haven’t seen you because you’ve been holed up in here for two days!”

She continued her march towards his desk. She slammed both hands down on his ledgers and leaned across his work.

“Do you know how it feels to be married to a stranger, come to his home, and be left to fend for oneself in a new role with no support from said stranger, other than one introduction to a butler and housekeeper?”

Her chest was rising and falling with each little puff of angst she dispelled. She was a firecracker when she was angry. He couldn’t help but think about all the ways he could get her to explode. Charles shifted in his seat hoping to cover the swell in his trousers.

“I am not going to seek you out, Sarah. If I need you, I’ll find you. I would expect the same of you.”

Feeling more in control, he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.

“This is a marriage of convenience, remember?” He said lightly. “I saved your name, and in turn, you helped keep Eli in somewhat good standing.”

Sarah clucked her tongue. “Marriage of convenience, indeed. Nothing about this feels convenient.” She chided.

Charles lazily lifted a shoulder. “Your opinion on the matter of convenience makes no difference about its validity. Truth is that’s exactly what this is.”

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