Page 108 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

“I thought…” His voice cracked. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

“You shall see me every day until you tire of me.”

A broken laugh escaped him. “I don’t think that’s possible.”

She held him a little longer before easing back enough to study him. “You frightened us terribly.”

“I imagine I did.”

“You are never permitted to do this again.”

“I shall endeavor not to be kidnapped another time.”

Despite herself, she laughed through her tears. “There is my brother.”

A deep voice spoke nearby. “Can you stand?”

Jane looked up. Hector had remained respectfully several paces away while she reunited with Colin. Only now did he step closer.

Colin slowly lifted his head. His vision still wandered uncertainly. He squinted. His swollen eye struggled to focus. Hector knelt beside them.

“We must leave.”

Colin stared at him. Something softened across his bruised face. A smile, small and tender, utterly unlike anything Jane had expected, curved across her brother’s lips.

“Evan?”

Jane froze. Beside her, Hector became perfectly still.

Colin’s smile widened faintly. “Evan, my love…” Colin blinked again. “…Is that you?”

Jane felt every muscle in her body go rigid.

Hector’s face revealed nothing. Only his eyes betrayed him. Shock, raw and unmistakable. Jane found her voice first.

“No.” She spoke gently. “Colin.” Jane reached for his face. “No.” She turned him slightly toward her. “This is not Evan. It’s his brother, the Duke of Sunderford.”

“Oh?” Colin blinked several times.

Jane unfolded her handkerchief. The pristine linen immediately stained red as she dampened it with water from the flask Hector handed her.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

Hector inclined his head silently. Jane carefully began cleaning the dried blood from Colin’s face. He winced.

“I know. I’m sorry.” She worked slowly. Removing enough dirt and blood for his eyes to open more comfortably. “There.”

She wiped beneath the swollen eye. “Try now.”

Colin blinked repeatedly. He looked toward Hector once more. Recognition gradually replaced confusion. His face drained of what little color remained.

“Your Grace.” The words came barely above a whisper.

Hector nodded once. “Lord Wynten.”

Colin shut his eyes briefly. “I…” His brow furrowed. “I thought…”

Jane offered a reassuring smile. “You mistook him.”