CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
"Uncle Colin, may we come with you on the hunt now? Please?" Margaret's eyes sparkled with excitement as she tugged at his sleeve.
Colin who had been so absentminded the entire time sprang out of his thoughts at the sound of the girls’ cheerful voices.
“Unfortunately, my dearest, you cannot,” he replied, bending over to her level.
“Why not?” She frowned.
“Because we're little girls and future women. We should not engage in such activities— it's unbefitting for us,” Louisa replied.
“Remarkable!” He beamed with pride. “Absolutely remarkable.”
“I knew that,” Margaret said. “I just don't think it is fair to have us behave in a certain way simply because we're little girls or potential women,” she protested.
The manner with which she spoke defiantly reminded him of the other defiant woman he had hurt; his wife.
Things had been rather awkward between them since the night of the ball and he had not really attempted to make it right. He'd been dodging Jane ever since he pulled away from kissing her.
Her coldness toward him was evidence that she wasn't ready to speak with him just yet and maybe he would go to her again but for now, he hadn't gathered his words yet.
“Why the long face?” Jane said, directed her question at Margaret as she approached them.
“Thank God you're here,” she said, relieved at the sight of the duchess.
“What's wrong, Margaret?” She halted before her, concern flickering in her gaze.
“Uncle Colin says we can't go hunting with him because we're girls,” she reported with a stern look.
Jane stole a glance at him as he stood there, observing in silence.
“Well, we've talked about this, Margaret?—”
“I know we have,” she cut her off. “It's not fair!” she grouched.
“I understand you, I really do.” Jane took her hand. “Maybe someday we'll do something about what society says we can or cannot do. But in the meantime, let's try to adapt.” Her voice was calm and steady as she addressed the girl. “Can you do that?”
She was quiet for a moment before replying;
“I can try— but only because you said so.”
“That's my girl.” She smiled.
“What about me?” Louisa whined, feigning being left out.
“Come here!” Jane laughed, pulled them together in her embrace. “You're both my girls.”
Colin felt the connection between his nieces and his wife. She'd done her best to be a mother to them and didn't deserve being treated like anything less.
Gently, she rose to her feet with a hint of annoyance in her eyes and finally looked at him. He wanted to apologize but he had already apologized once to her and didn't want this to become a habit. He was a man– a duke; her duke and he should act like one.
There was a deafening silence that only broke when Margaret cleared her throat, innocent of the tension between them. Startled, the two broke eye contact and faced the girls.
“Alright. Can you both rush back to your rooms now?” Jane asked. “I'll come meet you so we can do something more fun than going hunting. How does that sound?”
“Fantastic!” They chorused and raced each other up the steps. “Don't take too long!” Margaret echoed.
“I won't!” Jane replied and her smile immediately vanished as she turned to face Colin.
