“So, you're being hard on her, not for yourself, but because you believe you're protecting herfromyou,”
He thought about it for a moment then replied. “Yes.”
Prudence's unwavering gaze bore into him. “You're disrespecting your wife with such talk, don’t you know?”
Her belief and appreciation for Jane's character shone through as she declared, "I've seen the kind of woman the duchess is, so I can tell you outright that you're talking nonsense."
Colin remained seated, stunned by her directness, his mind reeling from her unexpected words. Her piercing gaze held his, but he could not keep contact any longer, allowing his eyes to fall to his lap.
Prudence's expression softened as she extended her arm to gently pat him. "You're not the terrible man you want to believe yourself to be. I see it, and so does your wife. A man so damaged would not be able to love nor be ready to lose what he wants for the sake of protecting the woman."
Her words struck a chord within him, resonating with the turmoil he grappled with for so many days.
In a tone that was both gentle and resolute, his grandmother urged him. "You should let Jane decide whether you are worthy for her or not. I'm certain that she feels the same way for you, too."
