Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 28

Marguerite had been standing in front of the ornate wooden door of Goddard's office for ten long minutes before she managed to muster enough courage to knock. She had strengthened her resolve and braced herself, knowing that it wouldn't be easy, still she flinched when she heard Goddard's voice from within the room. Taking in a steadying breath, she turned the latch and pushed the door.

On the other end of the room, Goddard was sitting on a high chair behind a huge mahogany desk. Clearly not expecting to see Marguerite, he seemed a bit surprised. He put down his quill pen and beckoned her to come in.

As her gaze swept briefly over the scattered papers on the huge mahogany desk, Marguerite immediately spotted an untouched platter of food on the far corner. It was almost nine o'clock, the food must have been sent to his office a couple of hours ago. She hated to see such a sumptuous meal go to waste, worse yet, to see Goddard ignore his own well being.

"What do you want to talk about?"
Goddard got straight to the point once she settled into the chair across from him. Swallowing past the uneasy knot in her throat, Marguerite brought herself to ask,
"Papa, can you please let Matthew stay here?"

Goddard's face instantly darkened,
"Not a chance in hell! For Christsakes, Maggie, this is not a homeless shelter!"

"Papa-"

"You don't need to worry that he will be back starving out in the streets. I'm going to give him a small fortune, and if he has half a brain, he will manage to make a living out of it. He can go back to his hometown and start something. It's more than enough to buy him a decent house and a good portion of land in the countryside."

Marguerite fell silent as if struck by the words. She knew it might be the best for him, but she just couldn't imagine Matthew, moving to another town miles away from her. Upon seeing her shaken expression, Goddard leaned back to his chair and rubbed his face.
"Maggie, you can't just bring a stranger into our home. We know nothing about him. He might seem harmless, but who knows? He could be a thief or worse."

"Please, Papa. I know he is no such thing."

Marguerite unconsciously bit her lip when Goddard regarded her with what looked like suspicion. A sudden frown pushed his eyes into a narrow squint.
"What makes you insist on me taking him in? Tell me, have that scoundrel dared to seduce you?"

Marguerite flinched at the ominous note in his voice.
"No, Papa! I swear!"

"He'd better not. Or I swear he'll live to regret it."

That effectively silenced Marguerite. She couldn't press on without risking getting Matthew accused for something he'd never done.

"He never did something like that, I promise. I just..."
Her words faltered when Goddard fixed her with a hard stare and said in a tone that brook no argument.
"We'll not talk about it anymore. Go back to your room."

*****

Later that night, Matthew was mulling over his oncoming departure when he was suddenly distracted by a sudden sound from the doorway. He turned his head to see Marguerite slipping through the small opening. He sat bolt upright,
"Maggie, what are you doing?"

She stopped in front of the door, as if afraid to step further.
"Matthew, are you leaving tomorrow?"

He took a moment before answering,
"Like your father said, I have no reason to stay any longer."

Marguerite bit her bottom lip.
"Where are you going to go?"

He'd thought about it. Goddard promised him a reward. With the money, perhaps he could start over in the countryside, buying a humble cottage and a small portion of land to plant with crops and pastures, so even if he got no job, he would always have food on the table.
"Perhaps I will be going back to my hometown and try to make a living there."