Page 95 of The Duchess' Replacement

“This smells delicious. Is Sarah awake yet?”

Silence.

Charles narrowed his eyes at his sister. He’s heard of the emotional turmoil young girls put their families through but he was not one to be ignored. His eyes glanced at Samuels who remained stock still by the door. His eyes stared outward, it was as if Charles hadn’t walked into the room.

Was the old man losing it?

“Samuels.” Charles called.

Samuels inhaled as he turned to face Charles.

“I’m sorry, Samuels, am I that exhausting that in order to look at me you must steal yourself?” Charles snipped.

“Perhaps it is your demeanor that is exhausting, Charles.” His sister’s words clipped whatever Samuels was going to say.

“Excuse me?” What room did he walk into that he was met with such contempt?

Nora leveled a look at him. “I heard how you treated Eli. Perhaps Sarah is just as disgusted with you as I am.” She quipped.

Charles rubbed his temples. “Nora. Do not concern yourself with the matters of adults. I’m sure you know how much scandal our brother causes and I’m tired of picking up the pieces.”

Nora scoffed. “Is Sarah one of those pieces?”

Blasted, his sister sounded just like Sarah. His fingers tightened around his fork. How many times was he to have this conversation?

“Sarah knew the arrangement we were entering into when we got married.” Charles paused. “Wait. How do you know about Sarah’s role between Eli and I?”

Nora cocked her head. “So you can punish the person who told me?” Nora laughed. “I don’t think so.” She pointed her fork at Charles. “You didn’t answer my question, was Sarah just a piece you needed to clean up?”

Charles sighed and leaned back in his chair. “No. And she knows that.”

Nora chuckled.

“What was that for?” Charles demanded.

“You’re not the best communicator. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sarah was in her room right now waiting for you to leave the breakfast room she she could to come down and not have to see you first thing in the morning.”

Charles’s heart thudded at the thought. Would she avoid him? Admittedly they did not part on the best of terms yesterday.

Suddenly, his breath caught in his throat. He forgot to speak with her yesterday about the merchant. He furrowed his brows. Surely she would understand that matters of the duchy are serious and need to be handled promptly. She couldn’t possibly hold that against him.

Charles glanced at the door. She was just late in waking up.

Yes, that had to be it.

“And poor Eli. He not only came here to talk with Sarah, but to see me. I haven’t seen him in ages and the first thing you do is run him off.” Nora whined bringing Charles’s focus back to her.

“It is for the best.” Charles offered.

“For who?” Nora countered.

“For the family!” Charles’s voice boomed across the table causing Nora to jump.

Awkward silence settled between them.

“He needs to learn there are consequences for his actions. How he treated Sarah is unforgivable and the die was cast the moment he left her standing at the alter. He’s a disgrace and therefore should be treated as such.”

Nora huffed. “I heard Sarah forgave him. Shouldn’t the person who was wronged have the final say if he is thrown out for his transgressions?”

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