Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 15

Aunt Ginny!"
Arabella whirled around and flew into the woman's embrace while Matthew stared speechless, astonished to find that Aunt Ginny was nothing like the bizarre eccentric he'd imagined her to be. Wearing her untamable hair loose unlike any other lady and clad in a low-neck gown that flattered her voluptuous body, from a fair distance, she looked only several years older than Arabella. In fact, she almost looked like a mature version of her.

"What a pleasant surprise." Aunt Ginny pulled away to look at her niece.
"How I miss you, Auntie." Arabella squeezed her tight once more.

"Me too, darling." Aunt Ginny stroked her hair. After endless seconds, Arabella reluctantly disentangled herself from her aunt, who immediately swerved her attention to Matthew.

"Aunt Ginny, this is my friend, Matthew."
Arabella came to stand beside him, putting a hand on his arm. Aunt Ginny's expression changed to something akin to disapproval, whether at Arabella's too friendly gesture, or Matthew's rumpled appearance.

"Your friend?"
Her cold, assessing gaze swept over him.

"Oh, you'll never guess what I've been through, Aunt Ginny. I wouldn't make it but for Matthew's help. You wouldn't believe how brave he was. He rescued me from a gang of robbers, and he'd been so kind to escort me all the way here."

Judging by the lack of change in her flat expression, the woman seemed not too impressed by the heroic tale. However, Arabella appeared to be unaware of it. She turned to him with a bright smile as she casually announced,
"Matthew, this is my aunt, Lady Virginia Winthrop."

Completely unprepared for an introduction to a woman of superior rank, Matthew executed an awkward bow.
"My lady."

The woman regarded him beneath her lashes, a slight frown appeared between her brows.
"I'll have the butler bring him to the servant's quarter where Cook can feed him some food."

"No, Matthew is my guest!" Arabella exclaimed promptly.
"He will have dinner with us."

Aunt Ginny seemed quite taken aback, but after a prolonged pause, she reluctantly agreed,
"Alright, dear."

"Great!"

Preceded by Aunt Ginny, Arabella, and the butler, Matthew walked up the stone steps into the four-pillared portico and past the enormous double doors. The minute he set foot in the grand foyer, he was dazzled by the splendid display of luxury that greeted him, from the polished wooden floors, the paneled walls, to the huge chandelier hanging from ornate gilt, painted ceiling.

"I'll see you at dinner." Arabella said a moment before she followed her aunt into one of the endless corridors, leaving Matthew to the butler, who wordlessly led him to the servant's quarter at the back and showed him to his chamber.

Located at the end of a dim corridor, the room was sparingly furnished with a single bed, a nightstand and an old wardrobe. A small mirror dangled from a nail on the unadorned wall. To some it might seem like a dingy, old dungeon, but it was a darn sight better than anywhere out in the street.

Before long, a young maid came to bring him a clean towel, a fresh set of clothes, and a pair of clean shoes, and showed him to the servant's washroom. A wooden tub full of warm water had awaited him, and he plunged into the water, delighted to find relief from the heat and dirt.

By the time he'd finished bathing and getting dressed, a servant had been waiting to take him to the dining room.

As he walked through numerous corridors, turning down hall after hall, peeking a glimpse at each lush, lavishly appointed salon as he passed them by, he was thoroughly impressed and amazed by the splendor of the grand house.