Chapter 12

Jane lay in her bed, unable to sleep as thousands of thoughts tugged at her brain.

Restless, she tossed and turned, the memory of her husband's harsh words ever burning brightly in her mind like a flickering flame in the darkness.

He was all things frustrating.

He is so incredibly handsome.

The memory of their intimate moment, his gentle touch against her cheek, lingered in her mind as well, like a haunting melody, refusing to be silenced.

Determined to quiet her restless mind, she opted for a cup of tea.

Rising from her bed, she made her way through the quiet halls, each step a conscious effort to push thoughts of her new husband aside.

The house lay still, enveloped in the hush of the night. Then suddenly, as she neared the library, she heard faint grunts and grumbles from within. Her brows creased in confusion and she quietly turned into the entrance.

Entering the library, Jane's eyes widened in surprise as she caught sight of a figure laid out on the sofa in the dimness.

A gasp escaped her before she recognized her husband, his form illuminated by the soft glow of a solitary candle. He was… tossing and turning…

"Your Grace?"

Jane's voice held a note of surprise as she regarded him, her brow arching in question.

Colin's appearance, somewhat disheveled and wearied, tugged at something within her, causing her heart to flutter uncertainly.

As his tossing continued, he let out strained whimpers that made her rush to him, waking him worriedly.

"What in God's name happened to you?" She sought to understand the turmoil etched upon his face.

As their eyes met, a fleeting moment of vulnerability passed over him. Yet, just as quickly, a veil of reluctance descended, walling away his true emotions.

"I am free to be wherever I please in my own home, duchess."

Jane remained silent, her own gaze unwavering.

His voice cut through the silence again, "And what are you doing here? Can you not tell the hour is late?" His sharp tone was laced with accusation.

Jane lifted a brow as she countered, "And I just inquired of you the same, Your Grace. What brings you to the shadows at this hour?" She eyed him suspiciously as she continued, "If you have no reason, then I do not as well. After all, this is my home too."

It was Colin's turn to remain silent. He was avoiding her gaze.

"Why have you been avoiding me these past days?"

Colin's reaction was immediate. He cleared his throat and mustered a response, "I have not been avoiding you."

The air between them crackled like a storm on the verge of breaking. Jane's eyes flashed with annoyance as she confronted him directly.

" Do you really think me mannerless?" Her voice, though controlled, carried the weight of her indignation.

Colin's retort was sharp , "You did act quite manner-less, did you not?" He scoffed, "You pushed me to the ground, tarnishing my clothes on purpose in front of the girls."

With words laced with accusation, he stood his ground, refusing to yield, "And you were so bold to announce that had been your intention. If you didn't know, that is not the proper behavior of a lady."

Jane's temper flared at this, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Excuse me? I was merely trying to inject some levity into the situation. I am not to blame if you cannot appreciate a bit of fun without labeling it as improper."

Colin's scoff was laden with disdain as he countered, "A woman like none other, indeed, with that sharp tongue of yours. You're nothing of what is expected from a lady."

His words stung. With her hands now folded tightly in front of her, Jane shot back angrily, "And yet, you chose to marry me, did you not? Wasn't that your reason for springing this marriage on me, anyway?" She glared at him purposefully.

"Springing it on you?" He scoffed in disbelief. "I asked properly, and you so eagerly accepted, if I can remember correctly. You were nearly jumping for joy."

Jane's cheeks flushed and her eyes flashed with indignation as she squealed, "I was not eager about it! I merely chose to help you!

C-Calling me eager after you declared your-your need for help with your nieces! I chose to do a good deed."

Colin raised a brow at her, light amusement twinkling in his eyes as he shook his head. Then he paused and nodded, a sign of acknowledgement of her words.

He sighed and lowered his head. "Jane, I must beg your pardon for the hurtful words that escaped me. My heart was heavy with frustration. Yet that is no justification for my actions."

She gazed upon him, compassion softening her resolve. Unable to resist the pull of his sorrowful eyes, she cleared her throat at last, her tone a delicate balance of firmness yet with understanding as she spoke.

"If your heart truly seeks absolution, then I must request the presence of my sister as our honeymoon nears its end, Your Grace." She stared at him purposefully. "And you shall agree."

Colin's eyes lit with a sudden surprise. His smile holding a touch of amusement as he remarked, "You never heed my words, yet now you seek permission for what is rightfully yours."

Jane couldn't look away from his face. Why did he have to be so handsome?

"Of course, you may invite your family whenever you wish," He conceded, a flicker of warmth in his tired eyes.

"Thank you," Jane murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. .

His tongue clicked softly before he delicately asked, "Tell me about your family. I wish to know more about you."

"It's quite the story."

He responded with a small smile holding a world of understanding as he gestured gracefully to the vacant seat beside him. With a grateful nod, she accepted the unspoken offer and easily settled into the plush chair.

"I lost my mother when I was but a child," She began, her voice quivering. "After that, I was tossed into the arms of my ever-steadfast sister.

"Sarah became my guiding star in the dark days. Despite not being much older than me, she took on the mothering role without a single complaint."

She shook her head as the memories filled her mind. "I recall a moment when I fell ill after that, and she was the one who stayed by my side, like our mother would have done, tending to me with unwavering devotion. I remember how her gentle hands cooled my fevered brow, her soothing words like a healing balm to my young and troubled heart."

Her smile grew wider. "In those moments, she was all I had. I knew that I was not alone. Her presence was always a beacon of light in the dark hours."

Her tone shifted slightly and her voice held a tinge of bitterness as she recounted, "Our father, however, was a man consumed by his desire for a male heir and cared little for his daughters beyond their marital prospects.

"Sarah, ever the obedient daughter, bore the burden of his expectations with grace, always the one to appease his whims. However, she was too quiet to hold the attention of suitors and father quickly gave up on her as the seasons went by without her finding a match, considering her undesirable." Her words exposed her brokenness and upset.

"I, on the other hand, refused to be a pawn in his game. I stood up to him, for both myself and her, every single time." She paused, and her voice filled with sadness.

"I see it as the reason I'm terribly argumentative now, a trait born of necessity rather than choice," She added at last, a sardonic laugh escaping her lips.

Colin stared at his wife in silence yet his gaze never left her eyes.

"You have been through quite a lot, haven't you?"

Jane felt a magnetic pull, unable to break free from the intensity and affection in his stare.

Suddenly, he stretched a hand towards her, his touch, gentle and unexpected, sending shivers down her spine as his fingertips brushed against her cheek.

Her eyes widened in surprise, mirroring the astonishment reflected in his gaze. Warmth. That was all Jane could feel. She barely remembered what came before this moment.

As he withdrew his hand the next moment, Jane couldn't bring herself back to reality.

No.

With a delicate touch, she reached out as well, her fingertips tracing his jawline, a mirror of his earlier gesture.

Colin's breath caught and his eyes were wide as his husky voice broke the silence.

"What are you doing?"

A soft smile graced her lips as she met his gaze steadily. Her voice a whisper in the charged atmosphere, "Since you did it to me, I thought this was okay."

Colin cleared his throat.

Jane knew he would likely take her hand off him, or move away from her touch, yet, he didn't. But Jane realized what she was doing soon enough. She pulled her hand away quickly.

"You know, a little dirt would not be the end of you," Her tone held light humor as it danced in the air.

"What I am trying to say is, Your Grace, spending more joyous moments like those with Margaret and Louisa could work wonders for their spirits." She gave him a smile as she continued.

"The girls have gone through storms that have left their marks. Through playfulness and displays of affection, we can mend some of those wounds." Her voice was soft yet resolute.

"I shall give it a try."