What am I even thinking?
As soon as the marquess was far from hearing distance, the Viscount turned to Sarah, his low tone stern as he reprimanded her. "You should have been more attentive to the Marquess. Are you trying to win his attentions at all? What feeble attempts you’ve made!"
Colin was taken aback by Henry’s directness, surprised by the man’s public scolding of his daughter and the unjust blame placed on her. Sarah, bowing her head in submission, remained silent, absorbing her father's words without protest.
However, to no surprise, Jane was unable to stay silent, "Father, could you not see that Graham is not the right match for Sarah?"
A small smile lifted Colin’s face.. He was filled with admiration for her courage to speak up against the man’s unfair treatment.
"Keep your mouth shut, child. Your insolence has no place here. I've certainly enjoyed your absence from my home."
He watched as his wife’s face fell, hurt evident on her face despite how she tried to mask it. Colin’s anger could no longer be sustained.
"Are you forgetting yourself, Viscount Dowding? You will do well to not speak to the duchess that way.”
His voice cut through the tension, words laced with quiet anger as he addressed Jane's father. The man turned his eyes to him in surprise, raising a brow at the rage plastered on his face.
With a gaze locked firmly on the Viscount, Colin continued to lash out, “One would only expect you’d possess the grace to remember the difference in posts, do not be unfortunate.”
He took a step forward, towering over the man menacingly as he brazenly issued a stern warning, "If I ever hear you addressing my wife in such a disrespectful manner again, be prepared for the consequences."
With that final warning hanging in the air, he turned his attention to Sarah, "It was a pleasure to see you again, however, we shall be taking our leave now."
Jane, still reeling from the confrontation, struggled to find her voice amidst the turmoil. "Please, do come visit me again soon."
Colin wrapped an arm around her waist and gently guided her away from her father and sister, creating a physical barrier between them and the world around them.
His hand remained around her waist, a simple yet intimate act that turned eyes in their direction as they walked past. Yet his hands never left her waist.
However, at this point, everyone was relegated to the background, and Colin’s focus was solely on his wife, her trembling figure against his palm.
The sound of her heavy breathing only served to heighten the emotional intensity between them.
As their eyes locked, he found himself captivated in her gaze. He could sense her gratitude as she leaned close to him.
Drawing her even closer, Colin's next move was instinctual. He couldn’t let go of her just yet. . In a husky tone, he leaned close and asked, "Shall we dance, my dear wife?"
Jane's eyes were filled with an emotion he couldn’t quite read. But he loved seeing it on her. "I would love to."
