Page 27 of The Duchess' Replacement

Sarah’s eyes remained on the hallway just past Mrs. Bates. “If that’s the case then there’s no harm in taking a peek then.”

Mrs. Bates didn’t move her spot in front of Sarah.

Sarah cocked her head in question. “They are a part of my household, are they not?”

Mrs. Bates and Lizzie exchanged a look and Sarah sighed.

Not one of their ‘looks’ again.

Sarah was losing patience with the two of them. She stepped around Mrs. Bates and began walking down the hallway.

“Please, Your Grace,” Mrs. Bates spoke quickly. “His Grace would not like it if he found out you were in those rooms.”

Sarah turned and frowned. “What? Why ever would he be upset if I were in those rooms?”

Lizzie stepped forward. “Don’t take offense, Your Grace. He doesn’t like anyone in those rooms.” Her voice was just above a whisper. “Mrs. Bates cleans them without him knowing. I would hate for her to get in trouble.”

The girl fiddled with her hands in front of her. This conversation was obviously causing both her and Mrs. Bates stress.

Sarah swallowed. She looked back at the deserted hallway before looking back at the two women. Mrs. Bates had been nothing but kind and considerate with her and Lizzie was one of the sweetest girls she had ever met. Sarah would hate to get either one of them in trouble with Charles. Perhaps there was a perfectly good reason why he didn’t want people in this part of the house.

Although, with Charles, it could be a plethora of reasons all revolving around, “because I said so.” And an excuse like that always grated on Sarah’s nerves.

The two women stood anxiously waiting while Sarah ruminated. She was learning that if she wanted to get anything of worth from the women she had to bide her time.

“All right then. I don’t want to get any one in trouble. I’ll leave it… for now.” Sarah raised an eyebrow, challenging the women. “However, this is my home now and I would like to know everything about it since it is my duty to see to it as His Grace has stated.”

Mrs. Bates and Lizzie both let out a collective breath as their shoulders relaxed.

“Would you like a spot of tea, Your Grace? Or perhaps you’re ready for lunch?” Mrs. Bates offered. Her jovial and cheerful disposition returning.

“Some tea would be lovely, Mrs. Bates, thank you.”

She followed the two women back down the steps, her shoulders itched with the want to turn her head and get one more look down the hallway.

Sarah pursed her lips.Whatever could he be hiding back there?

Sarah spent the rest of the day with Mrs. Bates and the cook going over the protocol for house events. They have never had a dinner party since Charles claimed the title. It was his preference to keep his social responsibilities to outside of his homes. However, now that Sarah was there, they assumed they’ll be opening the house up for events with peers.

The thought of Charles sitting at a table with other Dukes and the rest of the peerage made Sarah laugh. He most definitely was not the welcoming sort. She wondered if they could even get people to accept the invitation.

After lunch, Sarah left Mrs. Bates and the cook to their duties. She had wanted to go into town this afternoon but she remembered the correspondence she had been putting off. She was curious how Eleanor was getting along in motherhood and she promised her mother she would write as soon as she was settled in.

Sarah didn’t feel settled in, but after spending most of the day with Mrs. Bates and the cook, she felt a modicum of normalcy.

She reached the top of the stairs and her body stopped. Instead of turning right to go down the hallway to her bedroom she found herself looking to the left. The forbidden wing was beckoning her.

A thrill of excitement skittered along her skin like electricity. She felt like she was in one of her books.

Sometimes when life was too much she often would imagine herself in one of her books. It helped her acclimate to her surroundings. After all, her books always had a happy ending. No matter what situation was the heroine found herself in she got out of it.

Surely, nothing terrible will come out of this if she has a little look in those rooms

Sarah smiled. Here, the lost and scared damsel, curious about her captor’s quarters finds herself alone and takes the opportunity to snoop around.

.With that thought Sarah ventured down the abandoned hallway.

Her steps were quiet against the plush carpet that ran the length of the hallway. She couldn’t tell the color of the walls due to the heavy curtains that kept out the light. Her hand closed around the smooth handle of the first door. Her heart jumped with the handle turned.

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