Chapter 20

"Your Grace, why do you not desire an heir?" Jane asked hesitantly.

Jane's thoughts spun with each graceful twirl on the ballroom floor, her mind consumed by thoughts of Colin.

Could he care for me? Does he care?

However, a sense of urgency crept into Jane's thoughts, fueled by her father's ominous warning from a while ago.

All she could think about was that she was going to lose him. And all the questions she had kept to herself was tumbling out of her mouth before she could stop them.

Colin seemed taken aback, but he recovered quickly and joked instead, "I have always admired your boldness. I must say I have never had a lady be so direct. You are one of a kind."

Jane's cheeks flushed a loud crimson at his remark. She could see that he was deflecting, but she did not relent. "You flatter me, Your Grace. But I just want to understand why you haven't broached the topic of an heir."

Colin raised a brow even higher, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. He leaned closer, his voice teasing, "And do you know the intricate steps required to make an heir, my dearest duchess?"

Jane's cheeks burned even brighter at this provocative question. While she wasn't well-versed in the specifics of baby-making, she understood the general idea involved laying together, a notion she had gleaned from her governess.

Her face was hot as she spoke, "I am no expert, but I do know we have to lay together."

Colin let out a surprised chuckle, like he did not think she would truly say it. For a moment, her worries were forgotten as she was wrought with embarrassment

"Are you saying you wish to lay with me, my duchess?" Colin smirked.

Jane frowned at him, her blush going all the way to her ears. "Should I not? I believe it is to be expected as we are married."

A soft gasp escaped her lips as her husband leaned in suddenly, brushing his lips against her ear as they swayed on the ballroom floor, his voice a low, intimate murmur.

"Perhaps I should consider your offer," He said, pulling her in tighter by the waist as he continued, "You make a compelling argument."

Jane was red as a tomato as she tried to shy away from his gaze, until a laugh interrupted the spiral of her thoughts. It was Colin.

He is laughing. I have never seen him laugh so openly before.

She couldn't believe her own eyes. The sight was captivating. Jane thought that she could never forget this moment. She couldn't form any words. All she could do was stare at him as he was stealing her breath with every short breath.

With a courteous bow, they retreated from the dance floor, staring at each other with love flickering in their gazes. She didn't want this to end.

"One more time," Extending his hand once more as the next dance loomed, he invited her back to the floor.

"You've changed quite a lot since the beginning of our marriage, Your Grace." She said once she managed to regain her composure.

Colin's eyes met hers with a smile, his handsome face lighting up with care as he nodded slowly.

"I have," He took a minute before adding, "and it's because of you."

Before Jane had any time to respond, their dance came to an end again. "Take a walk with me around the garden, the night is beautiful."

The fragrance of the flowers mingled with the cool night air, creating a sensory symphony that enhanced the magic of the moment.

Don't get your hopes high! Don't get your hopes high!

Colin's voice broke the silence, his smile genuine as he faced her. "I want to introduce you to Mark. He's a very dear friend of mine."

Jane's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of seeing her husband with a friend. Would he laugh like he did before?

"I do not mind heading back in to meet him right now."

"Mark isn't at the ball, but I'm sure you'll like him." With a mischievous glint in his eye, he playfully nudged her shoulder. "He's a troublemaker like you, after all."

Jane laughed as she gasped in disbelief. Feigning offense, she retorted, "Whatever do you mean by that?"

"Surely you can't deny how much of a troublemaker you are."

"You dare call me that, when just moments ago, you nearly made me lose my composure in the ballroom."

Her laughter filled the air but Colin's expression shifted slightly.

As their eyes met once more, he inquired, "Did my simple words really affect you that much?"

"Isn't that what you wanted all along?"

A soft smile graced his lips as he nodded in acknowledgment.

Don't get your hopes up!

A moment of silence enveloped them but Colin eyes were on her. Not moving away for even a second. She almost forgot how to breathe.

Until Colin's hand reached out, gently caressing her cheek.

"Did you know?" He began, "You shine brighter than the stars tonight." He continued with a murmur, his eyes taking in her elegant form.

Do not get your hopes up!

"Your Grace, I must confess that your teasing seems to be working." A coy smile played on her lips.

"Is it now?" He reciprocated the gesture, unable to take his eyes off her.

"Indeed," she replied. "One might almost think you were trying to be a loving husband."

He froze for a moment and his hand fell from her face.

"Ah, yes. But who would I fool, right?" The smile he gave wasn't convincing. And Jane didn't want to see this. She wanted the coy smile he had before. How desperately she wanted it back!

Don't…

"Me."

Jane realized she could hear her heart beating. But only her heartbeat and nothing else. The deafening beat she was making. She could bet Colin could hear it too.

But she was saved from another sound. Colin's boot as he took the final step towards her.

He closed the distance, capturing her lips in a fervent kiss.

Her world dissolved completely into a whirlwind of sensations as he touched her lips. Nothing had ever burned her so passionately. Her eyes had never felt so heavy. She never knew how much she wanted this until he kissed her.

Colin's hand gently grazed the small of her neck, sending shivers down her spine leaving a flutter in its wake. Jane's pulse quickened as Colin's fingers trailed along her waist.

But Colin suddenly withdrew, leaving her cold and empty without him. His expression betraying a sense of pressing urgency.

"I never should have done that." Breathing heavily, he avoided meeting her gaze as he continued, "We should return to the ballroom."

What?

Her mind clouded with confusion and hurt as she tried to make sense of his sudden change. Her cheeks still flushed from the intensity of his touch, she started to shiver.

‘I never should have done that…'

His voice resounded in her head for a moment as she tried to comprehend why he would pull away so suddenly.

She was his wife, why would he have regretted attempting kissing her?

Does he not find me attractive enough? Did I do something wrong? Why be so sweet and tender with me only to leave me hanging?

Despite her bewilderment, her pride stung as she turned around. Straightening her near disheveled hair, she began to walk towards the ballroom alone, her heart pounding in her chest, the sound of his footsteps echoing behind her.

Jane was embarrassed; her husband literally rejected her, leaving her to deal with her shame and hurt.

Why did he have to be so cruel?

As she walked, the realization took root - she was foolish enough to fall in love with her husband.