Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 6

"Lady, are you crazy?!!! Do you think it's easy to get this cure?!!!" Madam Nora lashed out, her eyes flashing in anger.

"Jesus!" Matthew stared down at the spilled potion.
"Madam, what do we do now?"

Madam Nora snorted.
"Tell you what, young man. You're wasting your time and effort for this ungrateful miss. She is not worthy of your compassion."

"Please, can you make another one? I'll go get the flowers." He pleaded, afraid the offended Madam would refuse to help.

"No need. She is lucky I still have one cup left."

"Oh, thank God." Matthew sighed in relief.

Taking the pot off the cooking stove, Madam Nora poured the remaining potion into another cup and brought it back to Arabella, who immediately stiffened at the sight.
"You'll never get me to drink that!"

"Now you hold that girl for me, young man." The Madam ordered. Arabella gasped when Matthew turned toward her.

"No, no. Don't you dare-"
She twisted when he clasped her from behind.
"Let go of me, bastard! You're going to regret this!!!"

Not wasting words, Madam Nora pinched her nose. Arabella struggled in Matthew's hold, her head tilted back. When she gulped some air, the woman poured the medicine into her mouth. Arabella choked and retched, but Matthew steeled himself and contained her struggle. Not until she finished every last drop did he release her. She coughed up noisily, gagging on the horrid taste of the medicine.

"Boy, fetch me some water! Quick!" She barked. Despite the pressing request, Matthew had the grace to ask politely.
"Madam, can I get some water?"

The madam nodded.
"There's a jug and a cup in the kitchen, young man. You're welcome to help yourself."

Quickly Matthew filled a cup and handed it to Arabella, who emptied it at a gulp. He turned toward the madam, feeling grateful for her generosity.
"Thank you, Madam."

"You're welcome. Now I have to clean up the mess your lady friend has just made."

"Please forgive her, Madam. I'll do the clean up."

Madam Nora crossed over to the bed and pulled the stained blanket off her. Arabella curled her body immediately as if she'd just been stripped off of her clothes.

"Thank you, now I have to wash this rightaway, or the stain will be difficult to remove."

Arabella gave her an irritated glance.
"No need to be offensive, I'll pay for the damage. You can throw away that old blanket and buy a new one."
She took off her necklace and tossed it on the bedside table.
"That will get you a lot."

Madam Nora's face turned red with anger.
"Listen, young lady! I don't want your money. That blanket is my grandmother's! I won't trade it with gold!"

"I apologize, Ma'am!" Matthew hurriedly broke in, afraid that the girl would further offend the madam. "She doesn't know what she's talking about. I'll wash it rightaway!"
Without waiting for her response, he took the blanket from the madam and rushed out of the house.

Some minutes later, Matthew had drawn a bucket of water from the well at the front of the house. Soaking the thick blanket into the water, he rubbed some soap and scraped the material against the washboard. His wounded hands hurt badly, but he didn't stop until the stain was completely removed.

Turning her dizzy head on the pillow, Arabella gazed out the window, watching the thug hang the blanket out to dry. After he'd finished the laundry, he returned to clean up the shards of the broken cup and scrub the floor.