Page 126 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke
He found himself speaking before he could reconsider. “What you did tonight...” She looked at him. “...few people would have done.”
Her expression softened. “I simply want Colin to be happy.”
“You surrendered an earldom.”
“I surrendered a title.”
“They are not the same?”
“No.” She shook her head. “My brother is not his title. He should not spend the rest of his life pretending to be someone he is not. He deserves love.”
The fire cracked. Hector looked away. “He does. The title will pass eventually. When the law finally accepts he is gone.”
She swallowed. “I know.”
“And your uncle will inherit.”
“I know.”
The words were quieter now. He saw the fear she tried so carefully to hide. Yet she did not take back a single word she had spoken to Colin.
She noticed him watching her. “Tell me something about Evan.”
He hesitated. “He was forever climbing trees.”
“I can picture that.”
“He once climbed onto the stable roof because he wished to rescue a kitten. The kitten escaped. He fell through the roof.”
Her eyes widened. “He did not.”
“He did.”
“Was he hurt?”
“He bruised his pride.”
“And you?”
“I spent the afternoon explaining to our father why the stable suddenly required repairs.”
Jane smiled. “You protected him.”
“I always did.”
Jane looked at him thoughtfully. “You have loved him for a very long time. You never stopped being his brother. Even when you were trying to be his father.”
The observation struck closer than he expected. He gave a quiet laugh. “I was not particularly successful at either.”
“I think you were.”
He met her eyes.
“You came after him.”
“I would have crossed Europe if necessary,” Hector said.
“I know.”
