She fought to keep away the tears that threatened to stream down her face, her only available defiance against the sheer horror events unfolding before her.
"Stop squirming and look at me, woman!" His words filled with such dominance and cruelty, echoed in the air.
Her throat threatened to expose her tears as she pleaded with desperation, "Please, let me go, Lord Pennington, I beg of you. Release me! This is unacceptable, Lord Pennington! Please!”
With a menacing glare, his voice thundered through the room, "Unacceptable? Are you not to be my wife soon?!" His words dripped with possessiveness and entitlement, “Don’t you dare play games with me, woman! I can do as I wish with you, you are mine!”
His fingers dug deeper into her skin and Jane's cries filled the room as a surge of adrenaline coursed through her veins. In a moment of instinctual self-preservation, she lashed out, delivering a swift kick to his leg.
A groan escaped his lips as he momentarily loosened his grip, giving her a flicker of hope.
However, just as she turned to flee, his wrath flared anew. His fingers dug deeper into her skin as he yanked her back to his side, seething, "You're going to regret that!"
The sharp pain of his nails cutting into her flesh elicited a piercing scream from Jane, the sound of anguish and fear echoing past the study.
Suddenly, the door burst open with a resounding bang, and to both her and Graham’s surprise, Colin stormed into the room, his voice a thunderous roar as he demanded, "Let go of my wife, you worthless cad!"
Colin's fury erupted as he landed a powerful blow on Graham's face, sending him reeling backward and instantly loosening his grip on Jane. Jane, in a state of shock, began sobbing uncontrollably as Colin hoisted Graham up once more.
He shouldn’t be here!
Her breath caught as she saw his arm, ready to deliver another punishing punch to Graham. Just then, the timely arrival of the constable intervened, bringing a swift end to the chaos unfolding in the room.
As Graham was apprehended, he spat out vile profanities, his voice laced with venom, "You'll pay for this, you coward! She was mine from the start! You believe this to be the end? I will have my revenge! You will pay for this!”
Colin's voice cut through the chaos, firm and resolute, "You should thank your stars the constable showed up in time. For I swear I would have made you swallow that tongue of yours.”
As soon as Graham was out of sight, Colin gently pulled Jane into his embrace, her tears flowing uncontrollably as he tried to soothe her. "You’re safe now...”
All the emotions Jane had been keeping in came pouring out in the form of her tears. She clung unto her husband, weeping continuously and freely.
“You should have told me what was happening, Jane," He murmured softly, his voice filled with concern. " I'm your husband, and I'm here to protect you, I willalwaysbe here to protect you.”
He continued to reassure her, his words filled with tenderness and determination as he held her.
Amidst Jane’s tears, she opened her mouth, everything pouring out along with her cracks and sniffles, "I'm so sorry, Colin. I was scared, and I thought agreeing to Graham's demands would be the best solution for everyone.”
“I would have given everything up to keep you all safe. But I was weak.” she hiccupped as she pulled away, her eyes red and voice wavering with emotion. "Deep down, I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. The pain of it all was unbearable, Colin, it was oh, so unbearable..."
Colin's gaze was filled with adoration as he wiped a tear from her face, his voice soft as he spoke, "You will always be mine, and I will always be yours."
With a tender touch, he released their embrace, still holding her hand affectionately.
"I love you, Jane," He confessed, his voice brimming with sincerity. "I've loved you for so long."
Her heart raced uncontrollably at his heartfelt words, emotions soaring at the declaration. A new wave of tears erupted as she reciprocated, "And I love you, I love you too, Colin."
Colin’s lips landed on hers. And everything felt right in the world. She forgot everything that happened. She forgot her fear, her desperation, her anger towards Graham. None of them mattered! For he was holding her tight and meant every word he said, every word she so desperately wanted to hear.
The soft caress of his lips left her, but his face remained close. And she could still feel his erratic breathing. Neither wanted the moment to end.
“Ahem.”
Jane’s brow raised slightly at the sight of the unfamiliar man standing at the door. But before she could question, the man announced triumphantly, "Graham is gone now, and he will never bother you again."
"And was it truly necessary to state the obvious?" Jane could hear some irritation in his voice. He must have felt the same thing she was feeling.
“It was only right I interrupted.” The man raised an eyebrow at him as he admonished, "As a duke, it is improper to engage in such activities in a house that isn't yours." His emphasis on the words caused Jane's cheeks to flush with embarrassment.
