Page 91 of The Duke's Untamable Bride

The trouble from before seemingly forgotten, Colin began a playful banter with the man and Jane stood by observing the exchange between the two men in quiet amusement.

“Oh, we shall continue this conversation another time,” At last, the man shushed Colin. Turning back to Jane with a wide smile, he introduced himself, "I am Mark Harding, Earl of Ashbourne."

With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he added, "And your husband’s only friend, given his terrible attitude. It is quite a pleasure to finally meet you."

Jane let out a laugh at his remark and warmly greeted him, expressing her delight at finally meeting him in return.

“Your sister…”

They were making their way out of the Pennington estate when Mark suddenly turned to Jane once more, his eyes heavily inquisitive as he asked, “Might I know if she’s engaged or in the process of courting anyone new?”

Jane’s eyes widened at the unexpected question and she raised a brow as she replied, "Not that I know of, no.”

“Ah, well that is… Excellent news.” Mark nodded, a smile that caused her brows to shift even higher playing on his lips.

When they arrived home at last, Jane rushed through the door, her heart brimming with joy at the sight of Margaret and Louisa. They enveloped in a warm embrace, their words filled with love and longing as they gushed at each other.

"We missed you so much. Oh, please do not ever leave us again."

“I will never my darlings, I am so sorry.” Jane pulled little Louisa into a tighter hug, her heart leaping with joy from the embrace.

“Yes, and you must apologize to Uncle Colin as well, he missed you tremendously more!" Margaret pointed towards Colin in the corner.

“Is that so?” Jane laughed lightly, turning to the find her husband’s face crimson.

“Oh yes! Uncle Colin clearly felt it the worst.” Louisa chimed in immediately. Her words painted a vivid picture of Colin’s struggles in her absence, “He looked terrible every day!"

"He did not eat, nor wash or sleep properly. He walked around looking like a starving butler." Margaret nodded as she added.

“Is that true?” Colin's cheeks flushed even deeper when Jane playfully teased him, "Can you truly not live without me now?"

"Yes, indeed." To her surprise, his response was swift.

Jane couldn’t help but blush furiously, her cheeks aflame with the intensity of her emotions.

Amidst Margaret and Louisa's delighted squeals, her nervous laughter rang through the room.

Margaret’s little surprised face at her uncle’s confession mirrored Jane’s.

Her heart continued to beat rapidly as her husband pulled her aside once they were done with the girls.

Her cheeks were flushed as he towered over her with a gaze she had seen only a couple of times.

With a gentle pull at her waist, he drew her close, planting a soft kiss on her lips, leaving her gasping in delightful surprise, her eyes wide as he pulled away with a smile.

"My wife is back, I can finally live in peace and happiness, can’t I?"

The End?