“You’re to choose me, always.”
Jane’s cheeks exploded with ferocity. She struggled as she finally attempted to free herself, unable to take it any longer. However, Colin held her in place. Then suddenly, softly bit her ear, his tone teasing when he spoke.
"That's for being unfair."
At last, he released her with another satisfied smile, leaving her unable to calm her racing heart.
The game came to an end, with Margaret happily victorious. Despite the little girl running around wildly in excitement, Jane found herself unable to resist stealing glances at Colin.
As he laughed and protested the unfairness of the game, she struggled to focus on his words. Her body tingled with the memory of their previous interaction, leaving her feeling a mix of excitement and confusion.
Colin, noticing her distracted state, attempted to engage her, lifting his brow high as he spoke, "You can't deny the game was rigged, could you, dear duchess?"
His words held a teasing tone, adding to the playful dynamic around them. However, Jane's internal turmoil only intensified as she tried to maintain composure in the face of her growing attraction to him.
“Now, isn’t it a lovely and peculiar sight to see the family all gathered together?”
All four eyes turned to meet the dowager duchess’ gaze, smiles lighting up everyone’s faces. The girls, excited by her presence, rushed towards her with joy.
“Granny!” Margaret’s tiny voice was the first to ring out. “Oh, it’s so good to see you again!”
Colin, with a charming smile, greeted his grandmother with a nod, "When did you arrive, Your Grace?"
Prudence, with a twinkle in her eye, replied, "Not so long ago, Your Grace."
Her gaze swept over the scene where the family was gathered. She chuckled softly and remarked, "I was told the whole family was outside playing a game; yet, I had to see it for myself to believe it."
Her laughter filled the air as she continued, her eyes shifting to Colin. "Surely, the most shocking sight has to be seeing you out here, beaming with smiles."
The atmosphere was filled with more excitement as the Dowager Duchess’ presence seemed to add an even more familial feeling to it.
“And good day to you, our wonderful duchess.” With her eyes keen, Prudence turned her gaze to Jane. Her eyes squinted as she inquired, "Why are your cheeks so flushed, my dear? Have you truly been running around that much?”
Jane, feeling the heat of embarrassment rising within her, forced out a laugh as she stammered, "I... I haven't been running around at all, Your Grace. I… I am not quite sure why." Her cheeks flamed even brighter as she nervously chuckled, trying to mask her discomfort.
However, still pressed down with the weight of the Dowager's scrutiny, she fanned herself, in a subconscious attempt to cool the rising tension in the air. With a forced laugh, she added, "The air just feels... warm today."
Her words hung in the tense atmosphere, adding to the questioning presence that enveloped the group.
Automatically, Jane’s eyes shifted to Colin’s at her last sentence. They both exchanged a heavy glance; he offered her a knowing smile, his eyes holding a silent conversation with hers.
The charged exchange between them added a layer of complexity to the already tense scene, as unspoken emotions crackled in the air.
Sensing the undercurrents of emotion, Prudence observed the interaction with a keen eye, raising a brow at the telling moment.
The awkwardness in the air was almost tangible, each word and glance laden with unspoken meaning. Jane's attempt to deflect attention only seemed to intensify the scrutiny, creating a sense of discomfort that hung heavy over the group.
Jane's cheeks burned even brighter as she met the Dowager's gaze again. Noticing the suspicious gaze, she realized she had been caught and a wave of discomfort washed over her.
Desperate to diffuse the mounting tension, she turned towards the girls, and with a forced calmness, she urged, "You've hadenough play for today, my dears. It's time to wash up and settle down for the evening."
Margaret and Louisa, sensing the underlying unease, offered little protest, their voices soft when they finally acquiesced.
Despite their compliance, the atmosphere remained charged with unspoken emotions, each word and action layered with unexpressed feelings.
Jane, her heart pounding in her chest, managed to guide them inside, her grip on their hands a lifeline in the midst of the swirling emotions while the weight of her husband's watchful eyes felt heavy on her back, adding to the tension that hung in the air like a heavy veil.
