Page 23 of The Duchess' Replacement

Charles sighed. “I slept just fine, thank you.”

Sarah sat, waiting.

Charles picked up a piece of bread and put a slab of butter on it.

Sarah pursed her lips. “I slept fine, thank you for asking.”

Charles looked at her. “I didn’t.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know. It was quite rude. It’s only polite to inquire about someone who has inquired about you. Especially if that someone is your wife.”

Charles furrowed his brows. “Is it now?”

Sarah nodded, primly. “It is.”

Charles picked up the piece of bread and took a bite “I’ll take that under advisement.”

Sarah sighed. “It is also impolite to talk with your mouth full.”

Sarah watched as Charles’s throat worked against his cravat as he swallowed. Unfortunately, for her, her husband apparently had eagle eyes and caught her staring.

“My apologies, my dear. You’ll have to forgive me. I’m not used to having polite company around.”

Sarah was suddenly aware of herself and others in the room. Her hands dropped to her lap and she fidgeted with her napkin. “No need to apologize, Your Grace.”

Sarah closed her eyes, hoping the blush she felt wasn’t on full display to her husband.

She opened her eyes and found her husband staring at her, a look of triumph on his face.

Bloody hell and my damned fair complexion.

She needed to change the subject off of her and her husband’s ability to affect her so easily.

“I have met a majority of your, er, well, our staff, I suppose, and they are quite pleasant. Do most of them stay here or do they accompany you back to the London home as well?”

Charles popped a piece of fruit in his mouth and considered his wife. Sarah sat straighter under his watchful eye. He had the uncanny ability to make her feel as if she were under interrogation.

It is no wonder he is known to be a ruthless, yet successful, man She had no doubt he mostly like won a majority, if not all, the arguments he takes part in. All he’d have to do is look at someone and she could imagine them crumbling under the weight of his stare.

He dipped his chin. “Samuels comes with me to whichever home I’m at, as you are aware.” He rose an eyebrow no doubt recalling their first encounter together.

Sarah blushed at the memory. It seemed no one there suffered from memory loss with the amount of times people recall that interaction.

“Mrs. Bates is normally just here, but now that you are here she will most likely travel to London, if you so desire.” He pointed his finger in the air. “Oh, and your maid, what is her name? Linda?”

“Lizzie.” Sarah supplied.

Charles waved his hand. “No matter. She’ll accompany you, as well.”

Sarah scowled. “It does matter. Her name is Elizabeth, Lizzie for short. I’ve learned her family has been a part of this household for years and I feel it would be pertinent for you to be aware of her name. It is the least you could do.”

Charles set down his fork and leaned back in his chair. His eyes darkened, causing her to shift under the weight of his stare.

She couldn’t feel she made misstep with the direction of the conversation.

“Is that so?”

Sarah rolled her lips. She nodded first before she was finally able to squeak out a “yes.”

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