Page 47

“He left you at the altar and you are still giving him allowances.” Charles rolled his eyes.

“Where is the women who nearly knocked over my butler demanding answers?” Charles curled his lip in a sneer.

“I would much rather talk to her than this hopeful optimist who can’t see the bullet she dodged with his actions. ”

Charles stopped and leaned forward, scrutinizing her. She shifted under his gaze. “It’s a shame. Someone as gullible as you is actually what my brother craves. I assume he’ll be quite annoyed with his decision to let the likes of you go.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “How dare you. I may be an optimistic, or a romantic, but I know my worth. I thought I could come here and speak with him or someone,” she snarled, “who had some modicum of decency who could ease my mind. But I see now that this family has no such decorum.”

She stood with such force the chair wobbled from behind her.

Charles raised his hand but his demeanor remained unaffected by her sudden movements.

“All my carriages are accounted for. The one he used to go to the church has been returned without him in it. No foul play, I’m afraid.

” Charles rubbed his chin. “Although, one can’t give up hope, I suppose.

” Charles chuckled at the thought of his brother lying helpless in a ditch somewhere.

Definitely would make things easier for him to discipline Eli.

“You honestly have no regard for your family?” Sarah spat. She shook her head in disbelief as she marched towards the door.

“My brother has been making a mockery of our family for years. I have little patience for spoiled brats. You’re not the only one whose name is at stake thanks to his selfishness.”

Charles bit his tongue. He hated allowing anyone to see him, or his family, as anything other than strong and formidable, but if anyone could relate to the exhaustion his brother caused, it would be this woman before him.

Charles watched as some of the fight drained from Sarah’s frame. She was extremely responsive to those around her.

“I’m sorry. I’ve only had to deal with him this once, I could not imagine being repeatedly let down in this manner over and over again. While I’m not looking forward to dealing with the fallout, my ruination will no doubt be something I fear I won’t overcome, but at least he is out of my life.”

Charles only grunted his acknowledgment of his life sentence cleaning up his brother’s mistakes.

She shifted her feet, seemingly unsure of her next move. Dark smudges began to appear under her eyes. “Thank you for your time, Your Grace. I apologize for disrupting your household at such a late hour.”

She turned and opened the door.

Before she could move, the door slammed shut with the push of his hand. She turned to find him standing directly in front of her. With the door behind her, he completely took up the space around her.

“What if I offer you a way out of ruination?”

Sarah’s breath stuttered. She took a step backward and hit the door. One arm, seemingly the size of a tree trunk, was planted by her head, the soft material of his sleeve gently grazed her cheek.

Her chest rose with every breath causing her chest to touch his. He was standing much too close to her.

She steeled her back and forced her eyes to rise and meet his.

Instantly, she regretted it.

Alarm bells sounded in her mind as his dark green eyes burned into hers.

“What do you mean?” Her voice sounded foreign to her. Breathy and weak, it held none of the bravado she walked in here with.

His eyes darkened and he placed his other hand on the other side of her body, fully enclosing her between the door and himself. Her hands that were hanging at her sides pushed into the door, hoping for it to give and open.

His answered in a low rumble. Each word enunciated and dripping in seductive tones.

“What if I can offer you a way out of ruination?”

Sarah swallowed. Her mind was racing, exhaustion made his words sound muffled and confusing. She could feel beads of sweat form on her hairline but he was standing so close she couldn’t reach up to swipe them away even if she wanted to.

She licked her dry lips, a movement his eyes followed with interest.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace, I don’t understand what’s happening. What could you offer me that would save me from such a life?”

Sarah chastised herself. Why was she even considering continuing such an absurd conversation?

Nothing about this man seemed kind or compassionate. He’d been toying with her ever since she walked into his study. He was much too large of a man, with sharp features and brooding eyes. Nothing about him screamed willing to help his fellow man or woman.

Yet, with all of that literally standing right in front of her, she felt her shoulders relax a bit against the door. She hated to admit it, but she was curious for his answer.

Charles dropped one hand from the door and brushed a strand of hair from her face. The fingers left a trail of fire along her cheek as he tucked the hair behind her ear. She shivered from the contact.

Something flashed in his eyes and he leaned in closer.

Her body instinctively reacted by leaning in closer as well.

She no longer cared about why she came here.

Propriety and social standards were gone the minute she stepped out of her house in search of answers.

This man seemed to know how to help her and the time of heroes was over. She was going to save herself.

His cheek brushed against hers and he leaned in to whisper, his hot breath sending electric shocks down to her very core.

“Marry me, instead.”