Page 119 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

“No.”

Colin looked at her. “No?”

“No.” She rose slowly from her chair. “I will not ask that of you.”

Confusion furrowed Colin’s brow. “What are you talking about?”

“I will not force you back.”

Silence spread through the little cottage. Even the fire seemed quieter.

Colin stared. “The earldom needs its earl.”

“It needs one.”

“It has one.”

Jane shook her head. “It has my brother.”

“And your brother is earl.”

“My brother is exhausted.”

He opened his mouth.

She continued before he could interrupt. “My brother has carried responsibilities that belonged to a grown man since Father died.”

“Someone had to,” Colin said. He sounded defeated.

“Yes, but you were only sixteen,” Jane said.

“I know,” Colin said. “I could not simply leave. I had obligations.”

Jane stepped closer. “So did Father. He also wanted his children to be happy.”

Emotion flickered across Colin’s bruised face.

Jane’s voice softened. “You have forgotten that.”

“I have not,” Colin protested.

“You have.” She smiled sadly. “You think duty requires misery.”

“It requires sacrifice,” Colin said.

“Sometimes.” She reached for his hand again. “But not always.”

Colin looked away. “If I stay here, the title passes. To Zachary.”

“Yes,” Jane said. Hector could hear the defeat in her voice, and yet she carried on.

“He hates us,” Colin said with a passionate tone.

Jane nodded. “I know.”

“He will take everything Father built.”

Jane’s expression did not change. “I know.”