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Sarah looked back to her husband who was still standing with his hands in his pockets, looking at her in the most peculiar way.

He rocked back on his heels. “I’m sorry, Nora. I cannot. I have a lot to prepare for.” He pulled out his pocket watch. “In fact, I’m running late already. I hope you both have a lovely afternoon. I’ll be back for dinner.”

He began to walk out of the room when he stopped right in front of Sarah and Nora. His eyes found Sarah’s. “Would you believe we’ve been married ten days already? We should celebrate tonight.”

Sarah’s eyes rounded as her heart dropped into her stomach. He was right. If you counted the day they were married, tonight would be ten days. She licked her lips as she swallowed.

“How lovely! I think anyone who sticks around you for ten days should be celebrated!” Nora teased.

Charles didn’t break eye contact with the now paralyzed Sarah. He winked before he leaned down and captured her lips in a chaste kiss. His lips grazed her ear as he whispered, “I have a lot planned for this evening. Don’t tire yourself out this afternoon. Do you understand?”

Sarah didn’t move. He pulled back to look into her eyes. She nodded ever so lightly and he stood up straight.

He looked over to his sister and pointed at her. “I liked you better when you were shy. I think someone’s been a bad influence on you.” Charles’s voice was full of jest, but Sarah heard the message.

Nora laughed him off. “She’s been the best influence on both of us and you know it.”

Charles’s eyes returned to Sarah’s and flashed. “Oh, I am very well aware of her influence on me.”

Was Sarah still standing? She lost feeling to her legs moments ago. She was either still up in her room and this was all a dream or she was floating and no one noticed her feet weren’t on the ground.

This man and his words.

“Sarah?” Nora touched her arm.

Sarah blinked and her vision cleared. “What? What were you saying?”

“Are you all right? You were staring. Charles said good bye and you didn’t even move. Have you eaten yet?” Nora moved Sarah over to the table and helped her into her chair.

Sarah shook her head. “No, I, uh, haven’t eaten anything yet.”

Nora picked up a piece of bread and began to butter it. “Here, eat this.”

Sarah took the offered bread and took a bite. It tasted like dust on her tongue. She wasn’t lightheaded because of lack of sustenance. She was weary because today was ten days and every encounter with her husband was leading up to tonight.

She was excited, she was terrified, she was still chewing the bread. Sarah choked down the lump of bread that was congealing in her mouth. After washing it down with some tea she looked to Nora.

“I’m much better, thank you.”

Nora gave Sarah a once-over before she sat in her own chair. “Wonderful. We can go to the orangery after breakfast that way we don’t have to rush back for dinner. Congratulations on ten days, by the way. Ten days married to my brother, who would have thought?”

Nervous laughter bubbled out of Sarah. “Certainly not me.”

Nora plopped a sugar cube into her teacup. “I wonder what he has in store for tonight? He seemed really excited for dinner.”

Sarah tilted her head in confusion. “All he said was that he’d be back for dinner.”

“I know.” Nora deadpanned. “This is Charles we’re talking about. The fact that he brought it up at all means he’s excited for it.”

Sarah laughed at Nora’s comment on Charles’s serious persona. However, her laughs soon dissipated into nervous energy. How would she get through the day knowing that each minute that ticked by was one minute closer to whatever he had planned for her?

Excitement mixed with nervousness as she finished her breakfast.

CHAPTER 22

“And then the orange went crashing into the table and knocked over the plants.” Nora’s giggle bounced off the wall.

Charles, who was sitting across from Sarah looked at his sister with interest. How could he possibly sit there looking so comfortable while she sat in her chair practically on fire?