Jane's smile widened as she turned to face the girls as well, her voice gentle yet playful, "Is that so, my dears?"
The little girls, in a chorus of excitement, greeted her eagerly, "Yes!” Jane laughed as Margaret continued, “It is indeed a lovely morning!"
“Okay, who are you and what have you done to Margaret?” Jane teased.
“I'm just trying to turn a new leaf, that's all,” came the reply with carelessly shrugged shoulders.
Acknowledging their enthusiasm, she reciprocated their greetings with warmth, "Well met, my darlings."
A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes as she winked at them affectionately. Expressing her pride in their good behavior, she continued to commend the girls as she settled in her seat, her tone filled with maternal affection.
More to Colin's astonishment, Margaret spoke up with joy and genuine excitement in her tone, "You must keep your promise now, dear duchess. We behaved well today, like we’d agreed."
Oh, a bargain had already been struck. That makes sense.
He thought to himself.
Echoing her sister's sentiment, Louisa chimed in eagerly, "Yes, yes, Lady Jane, youpromised!"
Jane's laughter tinkled like crystal as she popped a small piece of cake in her mouth, feigning contemplation with a hand on her chin, "Oh, my dears, I seem to be at a loss. Pray, enlighten me. What is this promise you speak of?" Her theatrical gesture betrayed her sarcasm.
Louisa's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice tinged with urgency as she spoke, "Lady Jane, have you truly forgotten?"
Margaret’s expression was a mix of disappointment and determination as she interjected with a slight pout, "You promised, Lady Jane. You said we would play after our lessons today." She frowned.
Jane's laughter danced through the room again, enchanting Colin's ears. With a nod towards the girls, she reassured them, "Of course, my dears, I remember."
A playful glint in her eyes, she pointed a finger in jest, teasing, "You may play, butonlyif your good behavior continues."
The girls' joyous outburst filled the air, their excitement palpable. Raising a playful brow at their exuberance, Jane observed as Margaret gently tapped her sister, prompting them to regain composure instantly.
The girls, now poised, offered her a respectful nod. In an overly hushed tone, Margaret expressed their elation. “We are truly overjoyed by this, duchess. We appreciate you keeping to your word."
Louisa, following her sister's sentiment, chimed in with a sudden maturity, "Indeed, Lady Jane we are."
Colin sat transfixed, his gaze locked on the unexpected scene unfolding before him. The sight of his nieces, transformed into paragons of decorum, filled him with more astonishment than he could describe.
Perplexed, he pondered the enigma of his wife's influence over the girls. He marveled at the genuine affection shining in their eyes, a testament to the bond they shared with her.
As he observed the graceful, continued interaction between her and the girls, a whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind. Colin's heart swelled with admiration and bewilderment at the mystery of her gentle authority.
The realization dawned on him that her approach must be one of kindness and understanding, for the girls responded not out of fear but out of genuine fondness. Still, it felt all but too sudden for such magic to have occurred.
What has this woman done to my nieces and who are those girls?
Colin was shocked and impressed with what he was witnessing. Jane had managed to influence the girls for the better within only a few days. And all because of a simple deal like this? She must have some experience as a diplomat for there was no other explanation.
The more he observed the interaction between his wife and the girls, the more his heart swelled with emotion. One he couldn’t place exactly. Was it admiration? Bewilderment? Or worse, fondness?
Jane chuckled at the girls' antics once more, telling them, "Go on, enjoy your food. We'll have fun in the garden later."
The girls squealed softly, exchanging excited glances before nodding eagerly at her. "Yes!”
Louisa spoke, barely containing her excitement, “We can't wait to play outside with you.”
Margaret chimed in, "It's going to be so much fun…I hope."
Not being ready to accept the jealousy that grew as he sensed a mysterious undercurrent in Jane's interaction with the girls without him, he interjected in a tone that brooked no argument, halting their expressions of gratitude.
