Page 121 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

“I know exactly what I would be giving up.” Her voice remained steady. “If you return to London because you believe you owe us your life, then you will spend the rest of your days pretending.”

Colin’s jaw tightened. “I have become rather good at pretending.”

“I know.”

“I fooled everyone.”

“Not everyone.”

His brow furrowed.

“You never looked happy,” Jane said softly.

The words settled heavily over the room.

Jane continued quietly. “I thought Father died, and a part of you died with him.”

Colin looked away.

“I blamed grief.” Her eyes drifted toward Evan. “I know better now.”

Evan stood perfectly still. There was gratitude in his expression, but also guilt. Deep guilt. “I never wished to take him away from his family,” he said quietly.

Jane turned toward him. “You didn’t.”

“I did,” Evan said.

“You loved him.”

“I hid him.” The grief and regret in Evan’s voice broke Hector’s heart.

“You protected each other.”

Evan swallowed. “I asked him to keep secrets.”

“You both did.” She took another step until she stood before both men. “I cannot imagine how lonely that must have been.”

Neither answered. She reached out and took Colin’s hand before extending her other toward Evan. There was the briefest hesitation before Evan accepted it.

Jane looked from one man to the other. “I have spent weeks searching for my brother.” A small smile touched her lips. “It seems I have found him.”

Colin broke first. He wrapped his arms around his sister so suddenly that the chair scraped across the wooden floor.

“I’m sorry.” His voice cracked. “I’m so terribly sorry.”

Jane hugged him without hesitation. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

“I lied to you.”

“You were frightened.”

Colin shook his head. “I should have trusted you.”

“Perhaps.” She rested her cheek against his shoulder. “But you are trusting me now.”

His breathing became uneven. “I do not deserve a sister like you.”

She laughed softly through her tears. “You were born with one all the same.”