Page 99 of The Duchess' Replacement

Nora raised an eyebrow. “How astute. No. I am not Samuels. I told him not to come in here.”

Charles snarled. “Who are you to instruct my staff what to do?”

Nora straightened her back and pushed back her shoulders. “Your sister. I may only be thirteen but I have some say around here. You are being too mean and brutish to everyone, especially poor Samuels.”

Charles huffed. He knew his sister was right. He was being boorish to everyone but especially Samuels. The only reason Charles could figure out why was that Samuels was the last person to speak to Sarah before she left. In his mind, Samuels should have gotten him immediately, or at least done more to keep her from going.

“Samuels is tending to some other matters so I took it upon myself to see what you wanted before I fetch him. Perhaps I can help.” She said as she folded her arms impatiently.

Charles snorted. “You’re a child. You can’t help me.”

Nora rolled her eyes. “Suit yourself,” she shrugged.

She remained in front of him, rocking back on her heels.

Charles looked up from his desk. “Are you waiting for something?”

Nora took a breath and pushed it out.

“Since I have your attention, I do have a question.” Nora swayed back and forth on her heels, annoying Charles.

He waved his hand out in front of him. “Well, spit it out, as you can see I’m very busy.”

Charles gestured to the mess of papers on his desk. He then pulled at his cravat, the damn thing was nearly choking him.

Nora began fidgeting with her hands. “I, um, noticed the rooms upstairs were not being used.”

Charles looked up from his desk. “What rooms?”

“Sarah’s rooms.” Nora’s voice was small.

Charles quirked an eyebrow. “Of course, her bedroom is not being used. She’s no longer here.” He stood up taller. “Why? Do you want them? You’re hardly here.”

Nora rubbed her temple. “No. Not that room. Mother’s rooms.”

Charles collected more papers and fished through them. He tried focusing on the words that dotted the page but the script blurred in front of his eyes.

He cleared his throat.

“What of them?” He was having trouble concentrating on the conversation at hand. He pulled at his cravat again.

Nora sighed as she walked forward and sat in the chair in front of his desk. She leaned forward.

“Those are the Duchesses rooms, shouldn’t Sarah have occupied them?” Nora looked down into her lap. “She told me she used to paint. From what I remember Mother had a little paint studio set up.”

Charles swallowed. “I didn’t realize you frequented those rooms.”

Nora met his eyes and shrugged. “I usually don’t. But Sarah made my curious. She made this whole house feel like a home.” She dropped her eyes. “It never used to feel that way.”

Charles sighed and leaned back in his chair. He rubbed his eyes. He’d made a mess out of everything. And not just with Sarah, but with Nora. Actually, if he gave himself the proper time to think about it, he had messed up a big portion his life.

“I used to come here and we’d treat each other like strangers. We rarely ate together, we never would have gone on a picnic together.”

Charles looked up. “I spent time with you!” Charles was shocked at his sister’s interpretation of their past.

“Nora, you must know how fond I am of you. I would do anything for your happiness.” Charles pleaded. He knew he wasn’t the easiest to live with but he always made sure Nora felt welcomed here when she visited. He made sure she had excursions and he took her horseback riding.

“Except see to your own.” She countered.

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