Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 7

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Not believing any of the prophecies, Matthew soon dismissed the sheer nonsense and prepared for leaving. Returning to the house, he removed the blanket and sheets Arabella had used the night before and washed them. Arabella stood watching with a scowl as Matthew made the bed with fresh sheets, while Madam Nora fixed them a generous breakfast. Too famished to cling to her pride now, Arabella sat eating with them at the table, trying not to gulp the food while Matthew made conversation with the madam during the meal. Later, after he'd finished helping the madam with the dishes, Matthew bid farewell,
"Thank you, Madam. We owe you a debt of gratitude for all your help."

Arabella put her necklace on the table nearby and said grudgingly,
"Here, take it. I don't want to be indebted to anyone."

"No worries, young lady. You don't owe me anything, but you owe every other breath you take to the young man."
The Gypsy woman took the necklace and handed it back to her.
"Take it back. You're not even halfway through your trip. You'll need it more than me."

They left the remote countryside and headed to the nearest town, Evergreen, the seat of the Duke of Vermont. A mixture of emotion stirred within Matthew as he set foot in his father's land for the first time. It brought to mind the first time he met his noble brother. If only he were born into nobility like his brother, he would be fit for any decent woman. Again he shook off the thoughts. He never was one to dwell on self-pity, so why did his sordid reality suddenly bother him now?

The hustle and bustle of the town greeted them as they entered the inhabited area. The sidewalk was crammed with various stalls and passersby. Some peasant women crowded in front of the fishmongers, bargaining and picking out some fresh mackerels. Carts full of fruits and vegetables rattled noisily along the unpaved street. Now that they were back in civilization and she had enough resources to sustain herself on her own, chances were she would rather part ways here. Suddenly he felt strangely bereft. He knew that he barely knew her, but it felt like he'd known her forever.

"Well, here we are." She began.

"Yeah." He replied, feeling a painful twinge of an unnamed emotion. He fell silent, suddenly at a loss of word. He steeled himself for the wrench of parting, but unexpectedly what she said next stopped him short.
"Listen boy, I have a very good offer for you. Escort me to Merryton, I'll pay you a good deal."

His heart leapt with an irrational joy. Honestly he cared not one jot about the money. All he cared about was her safety.
"I'll see that you get there safely. You don't need to pay me."

She knitted her brows.
"Why in the hell not?"

"I just want to help you."

"Then I'd rather continue my trip without you." She turned away and walked past him. He hurried after her.
"Wait! I think you've known firsthand it's dangerous for a woman to travel alone."

She paused and turned to face him.
"I can't accept your kindness unless you let me pay for your help. I told you I don't want to be enduringly indebted to anyone."

Matthew got the feeling that she had the annoying tendency of getting her way.
"All right. I'll take the money." He sighed.

Her stubborn expression was replaced by a satisfied smile.
"It's a deal, then."

*****

It took no more than half an hour to reach the main street, where most of the shops and businesses were located. Soon Arabella found a jeweler who was willing to buy her necklace. With a fresh wad of money on hand, she soon found herself in a fancy local shop. In no time she had changed into a fine traveling dress, a pair of satin gloves, a pair of shoes, complete with a fashionable spencer, a feathered bonnet and a silk embroidered purse. Matthew refrained from commenting when she stopped to admire a fringed parasol on her way to the counter.