"Absolutely not. There will be no playing outside." He declared firmly, his voice cutting through the room like a sharp blade.
An immediate silence enveloped the table like a heavy mist, each person's gaze turning towards Colin, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Jane, her eyes now filled with confusion turned to him. "Why? What seems to be the issue?" She questioned, her voice tinged with a hint of surprise and slight annoyance.
Colin, resolute in his stance, shook his head, his words carrying an air of authority. "It should be evident. I cannot permit such behavior. Ladies should not engage in activities that soil their attire."
He scoffed and shook his head. “Louisa and Margaret are not babies. It’s silly for them to be ‘playing’ anyway. They have better things to do, like focus on their studies.”
“They simply are not allowed to do anything else. Else, it’d be inappropriate.” He proclaimed matter-of-factly, then let his gaze return to his plate as if to emphasize his point, leaving no more room for the conversation.
After his decisive statement, a thick tension hung in the air. The once harmonious breakfast scene now fractured, a clear clash of opinion creating a rift in the formerly genteel atmosphere of the room.
Jane's brow furrowed in contemplation, and he could see the disappointment and confusion on the girls’ faces. .
"And who, pray tell, decides what is appropriate or inappropriate?"
Her voice was steady yet laced with subtle defiance. Her raised brow spoke volumes, adding to the heaviness of the question hanging in the air.
Colin's eyes widened in astonishment at her audacity to question him. "Is it not common knowledge?" He retorted, his tone edged with disbelief, "That ladies must maintain cleanliness above all?"
Undeterred by his stern stance, Jane held her ground, her words a gentle yet firm rebuke. "Fortunately, the girls are within the confines of their home, so none of that is of importance here, Your Grace.”
He attempted to speak but she cut him short before he could carry on, “And aren’t Margaret and Louisa all but ten and eight? They are, indeed,babies, don't you think?”
Dismantling his stance, she carried on, “It makes no sense to have such rigid views in a place that should be their haven. Confining ladies to the absurdity of the constraints of societal norms that stifle their natural inclinations, in their own home?”
“What absurdity? How is it wrong to train them to be respectable ladies of society at a young age?” His eyes were nearly popping out their sockets at her countering. “And is it not said it is best to teach the woman in the confines of her home so she can be accustomed to such behavior when she steps out in society?”
He glared at her, daring for another response, and Jane delivered instantaneously. “Train her? You speak as though women are mere chattel for you to groom and send off for benefits.”
Colin lifted a brow. “That is not at all what I said. You-”
“I’d have you know, Your Grace, if there was anyone to be able to speak on matters such as this, it would be I, as I have lived in their shoes, and I have more than enough experience as a woman myself to say what is proper.”
He scoffed and eyed her curiously, more than surprised at her ability to banter. “And that’s because you have been such a picture of perfection in society?”
Jane’s jaw dipped slightly, “Excuse me?” She laughed incredulously, “No matter, the point is I am a woman. Thus, I know more about what is expected and what could affect our performance in the long run.”
Her eyes were demanding as she argued on, “The girls can enjoy a bit of playtime, and they will be fine. A few minutes of leisure surely would not wreck their chances at finding grand suitors in the future.”
The air in the room grew heavy with tension as they continued their heated debate. Despite the measured tones, their voices clashed like thunder in the midst of a storm.
Colin's tone was firm, his words cutting through the charged atmosphere as he lifted his hands in the air, cutting Jane short on a rant. "I have made my decision, and it stands final," he declared, unwavering in its resolve.
“My nieces shall not waste their valuable time playing around in the grass like the common folk.”
Jane, undeterred by his finality, pressed on with her argument, her words a mix of anger and bewilderment. “Your Grace, you told me to take care of your nieces, and that is exactly what I am doing. You must understand that I know what I am doing,” She implored, her voice tinged with urgency, “I beg you at least let this day be, we can discuss this later. I have a made a promise I must keep.”
“I shall discuss nothing with you for I have no need to do that.Imake the decisions.” His patience wore thin as she persisted, his expression hardening with the passing second.
"Enough, Jane," He bellowed sharply. His authoritative tone left no room for negotiation, and emphasizing the finality of the decision, he dropped his utensils and noisily rose from his seat.
As he strode away, the echo of his footsteps filled the room, leaving Jane with her responses unsaid, her gaze fixed on the empty space he had occupied moments before.
The tension lingered in the air still up until he reached the door, and Jane had to hold herself from screaming after him.
Her eyes followed his departure out the door and she waited for the minutes to pass, ensuring he would not make a return.
