Page 40 of The Marquess Match (Love’s a Game #3)

CHAPTER FORTY

One Hour Later

A sh sat in his sister’s drawing room, staring into the fire, a glass of brandy untouched in his hand.

He had lost her.

Clare had already left, and there was nothing he could do about it. Because she had made it clear. She didn’t want him. And the worst part? She thought he had only proposed out of duty.

Bloody hell .

Hadn’t he spent his entire life avoiding marriage for that very reason? Avoiding being trapped? Avoiding falling in love?

But now, sitting here, gut-punched and hollow, he finally understood. It had never been about duty. It had never been about saving her reputation.

It had been about her.

Because he was in love with her.

And he had let her walk away.

“You’re an idiot.” Meredith’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and unimpressed.

Ash exhaled through his nose, not bothering to look at her. “Good evening to you too, dear sister.”

She folded her arms, standing over him like a particularly disapproving angel of doom. “You let her go.”

His jaw clenched. “She didn’t want me.”

Meredith scoffed. “Oh, please. She didn’t want to be an obligation. And instead of proving that she wasn’t, you just let her run off.”

He finally looked at her, scowling. “What the hell else was I supposed to do? I asked her to marry me. I got down on one knee, for heaven’s sake.”

Meredith’s eyes flashed. “How about fight for her?”

Ash opened his mouth—ready to argue, ready to explain why it was too late.

“She’s pregnant,” Meredith added quietly.

Silence.

A long, stretched-out, gut-wrenching silence while Ash’s brain struggled to make sense of those two overwhelming words.

Then…

“What?”

Meredith rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. You heard me. She told me just before she left. She begged me not to tell you, but you two have made such an absolute mess of things that I have no choice but to intervene.” Meredith shook her head, exasperated. “I’ve been watching, waiting, hoping you would fall in love and marry like normal people. But apparently, that’s far too simple for the two of you.”

She huffed. “I hid a letter in Clare’s valise because she insisted on leaving before her mother wakes up. But I’m here to tell you to your face—you’re an idiot, and if you don’t go after her right now, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. Now, go. Fight for her.” She pointed toward the door.

Ash’s heartbeat thundered in his ears. He’d heard what his sister said, but he remained focused on one word. And one word alone.

Pregnant .

Clare was pregnant.

With his child.

Something visceral took hold of him, something he couldn’t name—possessive, protective, overwhelming.

He shot to his feet. “Why the hell didn’t she tell me?”

“Because she’s stubborn and scared and convinced you only proposed because of the scandal,” Meredith snapped. “And considering how you let her go without a fight, I can’t exactly blame her.”

Ash dragged a hand through his hair, his mind spinning. “I?—”

“No,” Meredith cut him off. “You don’t get to stand here and wallow in self-pity. You love her. You love her. Griffin already told me, so don’t try to deny it. Just go and prove it to her, you fool.”

Ash swallowed hard. He lowered his voice to a whisper. “I would never deny it.”

Meredith’s face softened. She stepped toward him and put a hand on his shoulder. “You’re scared too. I know that. And I know why. You’ve always been afraid that you’d end up alone like Father. And if you did it by choice, you could say you wanted it.” She gave him a wry smile. “But you’re a good man, Ash. You’re nothing like Father was. And you deserve all the love and happiness in this world.”

Ash’s chin quivered. He couldn’t help it. “When did you become so astute, Mere?”

Meredith smiled and tipped her head back and forth. “Probably about the time you gave me a similar speech, telling me what a fool I was for pushing Griffin away.” Her smile widened. “I believe you even called me a hypocritical fool.”

Ash bowed his head and scratched the back of his neck. Then he winced. “ Mmm . I did, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did. And I would not be the sister you need if I didn’t return the favor now. Go after her, Ash. You’ll know what to say to convince her you love her.”

Ash expelled his breath. Meredith was right. He was scared. Scared out of his wits, really. All of this was new to him. He’d never been in love before, and for the first time in his life, he wanted marriage.

Not because he had to. Not because it was expected. Not even because Clare was carrying his child. It was more than that.

He wanted her because he couldn’t live without her.

His fists tightened at his sides. No more hesitating. No more doubting. He had wasted enough time.

It was time to convince her.