"Colette, when you pronounced my elopement, I assumed you would help me. Instead, you've been moping around the house, for god knows what reason. You can't just tell someone to run off with a man, and not help them figure out the details!" Sophia exclaimed to a dreamy Colette who was entranced by her piece of embroidery between her fingertips.

Colette's blue eyes snapped up and her hair slightly flounced as she threw her head back. "What is there to discuss. Pack a few clothes, some food, declare your love for Blake, and be off."

"And who's going to be responsible for you and Jeanne and Joffrey? They stay at our grandmother's place most of the time, ever since you started your season, but they do need to come home sometimes. And what about you?"

"Sophia, please don't fret. I am eighteen. I can take care of myself, and Jeanne and Joffrey when they come. Please go craft your destiny. You finally have a chance."

"What if he doesn't want me back? What is he's already moved on?"

"He wouldn't have. Now go!"

"What if he thinks I am only coming for him because of the child?"

"Are you?"

"Maybe. Yes. That's a part of the reason. But Colette, I do want him back. I hate father for what he has done but damn the consequences. I need him. If father comes after us or any of you, I will defend you till my last breath."

"Then stop talking and go!"

Sophia opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come out. What could she say? On one hand, the desire to protect her siblings with all her might, especially with their father at lurking like a monster in the shadows, overtook her mind, but on the other, she missed Blake with all her heart.

Every day, she had to force herself to wake up and not cry, even as her heart was being slowly ripped out. She tried to heal, even tried shooting her problems away, but how could one dislodge the bullet of love?

Now, she had the chance to reconcile with him.

What was stopping her?

"Colette, as much as I appreciate what you're trying to do for me, I do want to know if this is the end of the little supposedly 'jealous-ridden' games you've been playing with Blake and me, as if we were your puppets. If I take this step, I need your support that jealousy won't get in the way of it," Sophia replied finally.

Colette looked around the pale peach walls and brown floor, her eyes get captivated by the tiny details as her mind pored over the question. After several moments before answering, "Yes. It is the end of my games. I promise."

A promise that would be unkept indeed.

"Very well then. Help me pick out the clothes I need for my travel. It is time I won back the love of my life."

Olivia Cavendish, the former Marchioness of Alton, had never seen her son heartbroken over a girl. She knew about her son's various affairs throughout the years and had been brought up to date about his recent affairs with the Brighton sisters as well.

As soon as she had set foot in London after taking care of her ill father in the countryside, the gossip had touched her ears. She had heard all about how he switched his marriage betrothal from one to the other, all for it to come to a tragic end when one of them broke his heart.

Sophia, that one was called. The most scandalous name that ever touched a London's lips these past few years, a woman with layers of scorn and scandal stretched upon her skin.

Blake sat in his room most of the days, a storm cloud over his head, his mood sour and dampening everyone's spirit in the house too. It was either that or the continuous thwack of arrows as he perfected his archery. A skill that had nearly taken the head off a servant as he was passing by.

Lady Cavendish had enough of it. She liked a house full of merry spirits and happy servants, not one clutched in the talons of misery.

Stepping into the threshold of Blake's chamber where he sat on the bed with his back to her, she called out, "Blake, my son. It had been ages since you stepped out of this room and actually went out to the city. Many of your friends have come calling and more have sent invites. Your duties await you. As a Marquess, you cannot forfeit them over a girl who has left you."

Initially, her voice had started off warm but it had gotten ice cold in the end, causing Blake to turn around slowly.

Bags that weighed tons hung under his eyes, dark and deep, giving him a ghoulish appearance. His beard had grown to the size of a large shrubbery and his hair was unkempt and disastrous. Olivia could not help but hold back a gasp of surprise. Never had her son looked like this.

He seemed devoid of his soul, his eyes showing cracked depths. Immediately concern took overtook her body and she looked at him, her face scrunched up in compassion. She strutted over to him and pulled him into her embrace. He clutched her back.

The last time he had ever needed his mother like this was when he was a wee boy. Yet, now it seemed he was a boy yet again.

She could feel the hot tears seeping through her dress and he sniffed, trying to hide the fact he was crying. Men never liked to expose their weakness, but Olivia did not care. Her heart broke right along with her son's who looked a lot like her, with his green eyes and chocolate hair. She ran her fingers through it, trying to soothe him from his unhappiness.

He looked up pitifully at her and whispered words that caused sorrow to leap at a chance to shine. "Mother, you may have taught me your physician's skills on how to heal and help people, but you failed to teach me one thing; how to fix a broken heart."

She looked at him with downcast eyes. "I know, my son. I know. And I am ever so sorry. "

It had been ages since he sought comfort in his mother's arms. But if feel good to let the emotions drain away, because that was what he had to do, if he was going to move on.

Every day he contemplated getting Sophia back, but the only thing that held him from his goal was her words. He had to follow her counsel.

Eventually, his mother had to leave, but not before he poured his heart out to her. He never did. His mother and he were close, save from the occasional quarrel and deceits, but not to the extent he shared things with her He rarely opened up, preferring to keep things to himself.

But this day, his heart came out of his lips. It felt amazing to finally let his emotion out, though some still stirred in heart, and always would.

Suddenly, the bell sounded and one of his servants called up to inform him of a visitor. When he hollered back, asking who it was, they just said it was a lady her to see him, and wished to neither divulge her name, nor her appearance.

Blake's curiosity sparked up immediately. He could not help but wish it was Sophia. It was irrational and stupid, a youthful wish, yet his heart yearned all the same.

Clambering down the staircase and turning into the parlor, he spotted a figure with their back to him, a black cloak covering their entire body. The visitor had a slight frame, much like Sophia's.

Sophia. Damn it. He had to stop thinking about her.

Hearing his footsteps behind them, the visitor slowly turned around, their head still bowed. Slowly they raised their head and drew back their hood back their head. Blake gasped loudly at what the act revealed,

Sophia.

Oh, dear lord, it was Sophia.

She smiled up at him, a soft one that just tugged at the corner of her lips, but still made her entire face glow.

"Hello, Blake."

Even when hey had first met, she hadn't remained quiet, challenging him at every turn. The maiden in front of him was so different, he has to take a breath to catch a hold of himself before he could respond. His wits had deserted him.

When they finally came back her whispered, "Sophia. What are you doing here? We ended, or rather you ended thing between us because I tarnished you and your family. What brings you here?"

"I made a mistake, Blake. I was influenced by other, outwardly things. Before you ask, yes it was to some extent, Colette. She urged me to break things off with you out of jealousy. But there are other forces at work here. I cannot divulge them, but I decided to not bow down to them."

Blake just fixed her with a hot glare. "One second, you want me, the next you don't?" he growled.

"Please understand, Blake. The ending of our courtship was not something I wanted to do. I was forced..." Sophia had to catch herself before she said 'father.' If Blake knew, he would go after him, a and that wasn't bound to end well.

"My hand was forced by another. Please understand. But the circumstances have direly changed."

"How so?" he shot back. He didn't know where the sudden anger was coming from, though it was probably because he could not stomach her making excuses for breaking his heart, which snapped something inside him.

She looked taken aback by his words, but then shook her head and continued, "The thing is, Blake. I have decided I want to marry you. I always have. I'm sorry for that I have done, but you must understand, every ounce of pain you felt, I felt it a hundred time worse."

The world swam up in Blake's eyes and a bright seething red. He stalked towards her, his arms swinging furiously by his side and his legs charging towards her. Her eyes widened and as he crept closer. She started moving backward, till her back hit the wall and she looked up at him with fearful eyes.

"Blake, I am sorry."

"Sorry? How can sorry cover it? How do I know you aren't lying now? And how have the circumstances changes some much, that you need me? I have never given my heart to anyone, but I handed it to you in my palms, " his voice cracked. "Sophia, I loved you. I still do."

That was the first time he said it, and though he had tried to deny it all this time, he could no longer. He completely and wholly loved her. He hadn't been able to tell her when she had confessed it to him, but now he could.

At last.

Sophia grinned up at him, her heart fluttering her chest. "I know, Blake. I know. I love you too. Please understand that it is the circumstance that made me realize that I needed you. Forever." Suddenly her hand came up and traced his jaw, her fingers running over his scruff of a beard.

She giggled," You really need to shave!" This was followed by a deep inhale. "And you smell rather odd. When was the last time you took a bath?"

Blake hissed under his breath, even as her fingers ignited fire through his entire body. "Sophia...." He warned her, fixing his bejeweled eyes on hers. Whether it was her words or actions, he could not tell.

She squirmed under his piercing hot gaze, moistening her lips as she stared at him. Blake didn't know if he should kiss her or scream the hell out of her.

At that moment, his rage took on a new face: lust.

But before he could do anything she whispered, very much awkwardly and unlike her, "Blake. There's something else. The circumstance that made me realize a good deal."

Blake raised his eyebrows in query.

"I'm pregnant with your child."

Now, Blake Cavendish had gotten far more shocking news in his life, including when his father died, or their finances crumbled when he was younger and he couldn't buy a toy he longed for. His heart could stomach a lot more pain.

Which is why no one could ever figure out why Blake Cavendish, in that very moment, crumpled to the floor and promptly passed out.

A/N: Instead of the guy running after the girl, the girl is running after the guy! Do you guys like this twist instead? And how about when they exchange 'I love you's! Please do comment on what you think!

Also, what are your thoughts about Lady Olivia Cavendish?

Readers! Thank you for taking your time to read this chapter! Be sure to vote, comment and share it with others! Every single thing means the world to me! I love you all!