Meredith smiled and tipped her head back and forth. “Probably about the time you gave me a similar speech, tellingme what a fool I was for pushing Griffin away.” Her smile widened. “I believe you even called me ahypocriticalfool.”
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, hewantedmarriage.
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.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
The carriage rattled over the uneven road, the rhythmic clatter of wheels on cobblestones a steady reminder that she wasleaving.
London was behind her.Ashwas behind her. And soon, she would be in Paris.
Alone…well,nearlyalone.
She glanced at her maid who sat across from her, her head propped against the side of the coach, gently snoring. Then she pressed a hand to her stomach, still flat, still unchanged, but no less real. Her secret. Her future.
Meredith had tried to talk her out of leaving, of course. For a moment Clare had worried her friend might try to lock her in her bedchamber. But in the end, Clare had convinced Mere that she was a grown woman who had made her decision.
She probably shouldn’t have told Meredith she suspected she was with child. Meredith was rubbish at keeping secrets. But she’d had to tellsomeone, and if she was honest with herself, some small part of her realized that Ash deserved to know.
Then she’d gone, with her maid, and her trunk, and her valise. Griffin had insisted on hiring a coach to take them safely to Calais. And with each rotation of the wagon’s wheels, Clarehad told herself this was the only way. That she had done the right thing.
So why did it feel like she had left a piece of herself behind?
She sighed. There was no way she could sleep. Perhaps she would read by the candlelight. She leaned down to rummage in the valise at her feet and found…a letter.
It was folded and sealed and addressed to her. Frowning, she sat back in the seat and opened it.
It was from Meredith.
Dearest Clare,
We have been friends for over a decade, so I do hope you will not take offense when I tell you that you are being an idiot.
Honestly, for someone as intelligent as you are, you’re proving to be a true mess when it comes to love. But then again, I suppose we all are. Including my fool of a brother.
CLARE BIT HER LIP.Meredith knew? What else did she know? She eagerly continued reading.
I know you both thought you were fooling me, but I’ve had my suspicions ever since Ash asked you to dance at the house party. And, by the by, if anything more than that went on between you, ahem, suffice it to say, I don’t care to know the details.
Regardless of how you got here, it is obvious to Griffin and myself that you and Ash have fallen in love. And I know you well enough to know that you are going to think all sorts of outlandish thoughts about it because that is your nature.
Had you seen fit to ask my counsel, I wouldn’t have to write this letter and send it off with you in the middle of the night. Yet here we are. And it’s time for me to tell you some rather difficult truths.
CLARE HELD HER BREATH.Did she dare continue reading? Of course she had to.
Marsden was an ass who never deserved you. And as far as I’m concerned, your hideous mother was to blame for making you so desperate to leave her house, you made a huge mistake that changed the course of your life.
But don’t you see?
