Page 6 of The Duchess' Replacement

No. The broken girl from the church was long gone and in her place was a boiling hot woman who knew what she wanted and right now she wanted answers.

Charles dipped his head towards Samuels, signaling for him to step aside. Samuels looked between the two before retreating a step and opening his arms, allowing the girl to walk in.

Charles took in the vision in front of him. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were puffy and red, and tear stains still marked her cheeks. Yet, there was a raw energy pulsing off of her that drew him in.

Charles weighed his options. Normally, he’s not one to entertain such behavior, but the poor girl has been left at the alter in front of a majority ofthe tonthanks to his basted brother. The least he could do is listen to her.

Plus, this could be interesting and considering the day he’s had, he could do with some entertainment. Might as well see what the girl has to say.

Without a word he tilted his head towards the girl and turned to walk back to his study. If she wanted answers she’d have to follow him.

He wasn’t surprised that after a few moments the shuttered sound of unsure steps followed his.

He walked to his sideboard to refill his tumbler of whisky. Something told him he’d need more to get through this conversation.

Charles turned to see her pacing a path into his carpet. Her shoulders were raised, her back was straight and she had the look of determination on her face. The only sign of nerves were her hands that she was wringing in front of her as she paced the study.

Charles walked to a chair that faced her path and sat. She followed him into his study, if she wanted to waste time pacing that was on her. He was comfortable in his favorite chair, with his favorite drink, he could sit here all night.

Her eyes landed on spot he just vacated by the sideboard and she stopped moving. Her eyes flew around the room until they landed on him. It was as if she was so lost in her own thoughts that she temporarily forgot where she was and why.

She licked her lips, a motion he was thankful he did not miss, and straightened her spine. With a small cough she cleared her throat. She reminded Charles of a puppy learning how to bark for the first time.

“I would like to see, Eli… please.” Her voice was small, but sure. A calm had settled over her but he could still see nerves dancing along her skin.

Charles had to admit she had courage. It must have taken a lot for a jilted woman to come to the house of the man who abandoned her in front of the entirety of polite society.

He rested his tumbler of whisky on his thigh, while a finger traced the rim of the glass. Her eyes flicked down to watch the movement.

Interesting.

Charles cocked his head to the side.

“Seems a bit late in the night for a visit, Lady Sarah.” He nodded towards the standing clock. “Usually this time is reserved for more scandalous meetings.” He raised an eyebrow in her direction.

The full on blush that covered her cheeks reminded him of bright red strawberries in the middle of the summer. Instantly his mouth filled with saliva and his brain questioned if she were just as sweet. He shifted in his chair.

Blasted, he must be tired. Usually he can keep his more improper thoughts at bay, but there was something about this defiant temptress standing in front of him, with all bark but no bite, that was calling out to his more baser instincts.

She cleared her throat again. “I assure you, Your Grace, there is nothing untoward in my being here.” She sniffed.

Charles’s eyes swept over her. If he looked past her rumbled outfit and messy hair, she was the embodiment of propriety. The elocution and decorum lessons were on full display in front of him. Once more his mind delighted in the thought of peeling back those pretentious layers of propriety and elegance to find the true woman underneath it. There was a fire in her eyes that told him it would be a delicious endeavor.

When he didn’t respond she huffed and continued.

“The only scandal that brought me here tonight is your brother’s actions this morning.” She took a step closer to him and his eyes narrowed. She stopped, no doubt intimidated by his expression.

Sarah bristled. “I demand to know why he broke his commitment to our engagement.”

Her voice broke at the end of her demand, her chest rose and fell with each breath. Tears lined her eyes, making them sparkle in the low light of his office. One tear escaped and rolled down her face. His fingers itched to reach out and trace the trail.

Charles licked his lips at the thought of her, on her knees, with tears running down her cheeks for an entirely different reason.

“Your Grace?” Her voice broke through his fantasy.

Charles’s vision cleared and refocused on her standing in front of him.

He took a quick sip, allowing the burn to ground him back into reality.

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