Page 47 of The Duchess' Replacement

The two began to bicker like siblings. How Miss Cordell could ever consider their relationship anything other than platonic was beyond Sarah.

Wait… what did he just say?

“Hush. Both of you.” She looked at William. “Where are these feminine things now?”

William and Lizzie exchanged looks. William shrugged.

“The attic, Your Grace.” Lizzie said with all the smugness she could muster. Lizzie was right, she did more know about the estate.

“The attic, you say?” Sarah jumped to her feet and ran out of the study, down the hall, and up to the second floor. She hadn’t tried every door on this floor, and considering there wasn’t another staircase leading to the third floor, one of these doors must lead to the attic.

There was a door at the end of the hallway next to her bedroom that she realized she never opened.

Crossing her fingers, hoping it would open, she turned the handle. Her breath came rushing out when the handle turned, giving entry to steps that led to the attic. She let a squeak of triumph as she tried to take the steps two at a time, but her cursed skirts kept getting in the way.

There was a small ray of light shining through a small window at the front of the house. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for her to see in front of her. She saw old paintings, and some books on an old desk. She made a mental note to return to those books once she was done asserting her dominance with the Duke.

She meandered around old furniture, stopping at an old crib. She ran her fingertips along the railing, wondering if the Duke slept in this as a baby. She couldn’t help but let her mind wander to what he must have been like as a child.

Most likely a serious little boy, she gathered. You don’t become highly disciplined and formidable over night.

How different their childhoods must have been. Sarah remembered bruised knees and silly songs, but most importantly lots of love and laughter. Did the Duke have that? Would he offer that to their children?

Their children.

Sarah’s eyes widened. The Duke’s deadline was approaching and soon his final rule regarding an heir will come into play.

She stepped away from the crib, rubbing her now clammy and dusty hands onto her skirts. She made her way over to a set of rather large, and dirty, trunks that sat in a corner.

Kneeling down she thanked whomever was watching over her because there were no locks on either trunk. Thankfully, it only took little effort to open the one.

Sarah took in the pile of material that looked like curtains. Dust had settled on what was most likely bright pink fabric. She pulled out one panel and was relieved to see that no moths had eaten away at the material. They were sturdy and with a light beating to get the settled dust out, they would look almost new.

She brought the fabric to her chest and laughed. This was turning out better than she could have possibly imagined.

“Your Grace?”

Sarah turned at the sound of her maid’s voice. She stood up and hurried to the top of the attic steps. Lizzie was standing in the doorway, peering up at her, quizzically.

“Lizzie! Good. I need your help.”

Lizzie’s shoulders dropped. “Up there?”

Sarah laughed. “Of course, up here.”

Lizzie shuddered.

“Oh, come now, Lizzie, there is nothing up here but some dust and old junk.”

She looked back down at the open trunk and the one sitting next to it, no doubt with more of the same in it. “Actually, I’ll need your help and more. Could you bring William as well? I would like the contents of both of these trunks to be brought down to the Duke’s study.”

Lizzie’s shoulders sagged. She did not seem too keen on entering the attic. “Right away, Your Grace.” Lizzie ducked out the doorway and went off to find William.

“Finally,” Sarah said out loud, “someone who just listens to what I say and doesn’t look at me like I’m losing my mind.” She laughed to herself.

Sarah returned to the trunk and picked up another curtain panel. She heaved it over her shoulder and made her way down the attic steps.

In the hallway she met William and Lizzie, both of whom looked like they’d rather be doing anything but what she was about to ask them to do.

---