CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Who is it? You may come in.”
Jane knocked on the door of her husband's study and stepped inside with a smile, her heart leaping at the sound of his voice.
"Good day, Your Grace," She greeted him, her smile ever fixed on her face.
Colin had his nose buried in papers, but his head raised completely and his eyes lit up at the sight of her. A small smile lifted his handsome face, and Jane tried to stop her heart from beating at the sight.
"Good day, duchess," He responded, his voice carrying a tinge of tenderness. He pushed his hands out in a stretch as he went on, “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”
Jane tried to keep her eyes away from his wide arms and pouted playfully as she asked, "Am I not allowed to see my husband whenever I please?"
He let out a soft chuckle and motioned for her to take a seat on one of the chair facing his desk, but she shook her head with a teasing glimmer of defiance in her eyes.
"I'm not here to sit, Your Grace,” She declared, her tone hinting at a playful determination that demanded his attention. “You know why I am here.”
Colin’s face showed a slight confusion. He raised an eyebrow, prompting her to speak, “I don’t believe I do. Why indeed are you here, my dear wife?”
Jane’s felt her heart leap once more. She tried to keep her cheeks from flushing at the sweet melodic sound of him referring to her with an endearing term, to no avail.
She managed to clear her throat and with a teasing smile dancing on her lips, she locked eyes with him, her gaze filled with amusement and challenge. "Indeed, what am I here for then?"
Colin raised a brow once more and laughed lightly. “Did you per chance miss my face?”
Jane fought the blush that attacked her cheeks. With a forced frown, she asked, "Have you truly forgotten, Your Grace?" Shesquinted at him, her tone holding accusation, “You have indeed, have you not?”
He went silent, seeming to be racking his brain and coming up with nothing. Looking at the sincerely confused expression on his face, she gasped again.
“Your Grace, you gave your word you would engage in playtime with me and the girls today. We agreed it was essential to helping them in these times.”
“Ah.”
Reminded once again of the pressures that came from his newly inherited workload, Colin gently rubbed his forehead and nodded in recognition.
"I got so caught up in work and the accounts, I nearly forgot," He admitted.
Jane’s eyes widened in understanding. She gave him a comforting smile as she spoke, "You can take an hour break, and I'll inform the girls. We’ll play when you’re ready."
However, Colin shook his head resolutely. He rose from his chair and walked slowly towards her. His voice was low as he spoke, "That won't be necessary.”
As Colin stood before her, his frame towering over hers, Jane’s heart raced with anticipation. His eyes were fixed on hers withan expression she couldn’t place. She felt like she was about to explode, wondering what it was he wanted.
He had something on his face that resembled a smile and this made her heart skip a beat. Slowly, he approached her and her breath was gradually becoming hard to catch. She tried to look away, nervous but he flashed a charming grin that held her gaze.
Colin reached out, and with a gentle touch, brushed a stray curl away from her face, eliciting a soft gasp from her lips at the unexpected contact.
Instinctively, she closed her eyes, her heart pounding beyond control. When she opened them, she was met with a smug, satisfied smile on his face.
"I'm ready. Let's go meet the girls," He declared, then swiftly moved past her and headed for the door.
Jane stared at his receding back in shock, doing her best to calm the pumping going on in her chest.
After getting the girls, they all stepped outside together. Margaret and Louisa’s excitement were at an all-time high, their joy radiating as they bounced on their toes, eagerly anticipating the start of the games.
Jane, with a laugh, playfully urged them to settle down. Her tone was filled with warmth and amusement as she spoke, "You needto be calm to understand the instructions of the game, that is, if you want to win. Or do you not?"
After a moment, as the girls finally calmed their jumping, Jane grinned mischievously, ready to reveal the day's activity.
