Page 120 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

“And yet you ask me to stay here,” Colin said.

“I do.”

He looked genuinely bewildered. “Why?”

Her answer came without hesitation. “Because I have seen the way you look at Evan. You love him.”

Colin’s breathing slowed. “Yes.”

Jane continued. “You have hidden that love for years. You have lied to everyone.”

“I had to.” A look of agony crossed Colin’s face.

“I know.” Jane smiled gently. “I do not blame you.”

Colin’s composure finally cracked. His shoulders sagged. “I was ashamed.”

Jane said, “No.”

“I was.”

“There is nothing shameful about loving someone.”

Hector could not believe how Jane spoke with such conviction. She was so much stronger than anyone gave her credit for.

Colin shook his head. “It is not that simple.”

“It should be.”

He laughed bitterly. “You sound as though society would agree.”

“I care very little what society agrees with.”

That earned the faintest smile from Evan.

Jane said, “I have watched both of you since we arrived.” She glanced between them. “I have seen enough.”

Hector remained where he stood near the fireplace. Something inside him shifted. He had expected Jane to demand Colin return. Instead, she was offering him freedom. She was willingto surrender security, simply because she loved her brother enough to let him choose happiness.

He had met countless ladies. Most had spoken eloquently about charity, virtue, and Christian duty. Jane simply lived it. The realization stole his breath.

He wondered whether she understood what she was offering. Or perhaps she understood perfectly. Either possibility humbled him.

Colin wiped hurriedly at his eyes. “If I remain, Mother loses her son.”

Jane smiled. “No.”

“She will,” Colin insisted.

“She will lose the earl.” She squeezed his hand. “But she will keep her son.”

Colin lowered his head. For several moments, no one spoke. The fire cracked softly in the hearth, and outside, the wind stirred through the trees surrounding the little cottage. The quiet did not feel awkward. It felt fragile, as though the smallest word might shatter something that had taken years to build.

When Colin finally looked up again, his eyes were bright. “You make it sound simple.”

Jane smiled. “I know it is not.”

“You know nothing of what you would be giving up.”