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.”
