Page 100 of The Duchess' Replacement

Charles sat up in his chair. “When did you become so perceptive?”

A smug smile formed on Nora’s lips. “I have great role models in that area.”

Charles chuckled. “It sounds as though they could have been better.”

“Charles?” Nora reached and leaned onto his desk. “Why didn’t you allow Sarah to use those rooms?”

Charles waved her question off.

“No, do not dismiss me. Is it because of Mother?” Nora’s voice was timid but it struck him with such force nonetheless.

“Charles.” She chided. “Don’t you think it’s time to move on from the horrors of our childhood?”

Charles’s eyes swelled as his throat closed. “You don’t understand, Nora. The way they treated her and I just…”

“You were a child yourself. You had just lost your father, you inherited a duchy when you were barely sixteen. Then your mother died and you were in charge of a small child.”

Charles shook off the emotion that was settling over him. His skin began to itch and his cravat felt as if it was cutting off his air. He pulled at the cravat and tugged it off. He bounded out of his chair and began pacing the room.

“Charles. You did everything you could with what you had. Yes, from what I hear, and the things I’ve personally experienced, the townspeople haven’t been the most understanding but do not take it out on Sarah of all people.”

Nora remained sitting in the chair as Charles stalked the room pulling at his shirt. He unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves. Did someone light a fire in here? The room became stifling.

Obviously he was the only afflicted by this phantom heat. Nora sat calmly in the chair, nonplussed.

“I’ve only known her for a few days but anyone could tell she has a heart of gold and only wants the best for those around her. Even you cannot deny her that, Charles. Plus…”

Charles stopped and looked at his sister. He wiped the sweat that started to bead across his brow. “Don’t stop now, dear sister. Speak your mind.”

Nora’s shoulders sagged. “Plus, I really like her.” Nora’s voice began to tremble. “She was fun, and understanding, and I feel awful for shutting her out that one night.” Nora’s watery eyes looked up and met hers. “Do you think it’s because of that night that she left?”

Sobs wracked the young girl’s body. Charles rushed to his sister and gathered her in his arms. He was not good with the emotions of others, but seeing his sister cry was the one thing he could not stand.

“Shh, Nora. No, it was not you. It was me. I shut her out to protect you.”

Nora sniffled into his chest. “I don’t need protecting any more.”

Charles looked down at his sister. “Then why were you upset that night?”

Nora wiped her tears. “You’re right, I was upset that night over what those boys said. But you reminded me what Sarah told me about letting other people control my emotions.” She looked up into her brother’s eyes. “Charles, you, too, have given other people too much control.”

Charles squeezed his sister tighter before letting her go and holding her out at arms length. “I assure you, Nora, I do not let other people control me.”

Nora’s eyes widened as she pointed at him. A wide smile spread across her lips. “That’s it. That’s why you are the way you are. It’s not because you’re not capable of emotionl, it’s that you let other people control your emotions!”

Nora jumped and clapped like she just solved life’s greatest mystery.

Charles huffed and walked back to his desk to sit down. This conversation, full of its ups and downs, was starting to give him a headache.

“Nora, I have no idea what you’re talking about and I don’t see what this has to do with Sarah.”

Nora walked over to him and leaned across his desk. “You are so worried about how others perceive us your preemptively push people away. It’s not that you’re obtuse with other people’s feelings, it’s just you’ve been on the defensive side for so much of your life you immediately assume the worstof people.”

Charles furrowed his brow. “I do not care what people think of us.”

“Yes, you do!” Nora’s face lit up. “You absolutely do! Why else would you make sure I was protected-”

“Because I didn’t want to see you upset!” Charles interjected.

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