Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 40

Sitting in front of her dressing table, Marguerite kept her head up straight when Mary arranged her hair into an intricately braided coiffure. As she stared back at her reflection in the mirror, inwardly she rehearsed the words she'd prepared to say in response to Matthew's love confession.

Matthew's love confession.

She felt heat spread throughout her chest and into the roots of her hair only thinking about that. She wondered how Matthew would begin the conversation.

Would he take her hand in his, then gaze into her eyes before telling her? And after he declares his love for her, would he... would he kiss her?

Marguerite snapped out of her thoughts when suddenly Cook burst into the room. Heading straight up toward her, the woman announced,
"Maggie! Bill Wagner told me Master Matthew is going to propose to you tonight. He's even got the ring!"

Marguerite's lips dropped open as the unexpected news left her dazed. Somewhere amidst her bewilderment she heard Mary's delighted squeal.

"Oh my, my! Wonders never cease! I'm so happy for you, Miss! I can't wait to see you get engaged!"

Cook and Mary capered about with glee, then stopped when Marguerite remained frozen in her seat.

"What's wrong, Maggie? Aren't you happy about that?" Cook asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"I... Of course I'm happy, but... Are you sure about this?"

"One hundred percent, but Maggie, you have to pretend you know nothing about this, because Master Matthew wants it to be a surprise."

Her thoughts in a whirl, Marguerite could only watch wordlessly as the two servants continued to talk enthusiastically.

"This is the best news ever, but how did you get Mr. Wagner to spill it?" Mary asked, and Cook answered with a proud, self-satisfied smile.
"There's nothing a warm, perfectly cooked mutton stew can't do. If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that you can always get what you want from a man if you feed him well."

Just then a soft knock at the door interrupted their conversation. The door clicked open and a young maid peeked in. Upon seeing Marguerite, the girl nodded timidly.
"Excuse me, Miss. I'm looking for Cook."

"Yes, Alyssa?" replied Cook.

"All the food is ready, Ma'am. Can we start to serve dinner in the salon now?"

"Of course. Go ahead."

"Right away, Ma'am."

Cook turned her attention back to Marguerite.
"Alright dear, we'd better get in there now. I believe Master Matthew will be coming anytime soon."

Accompanied by her two loyal servants, Marguerite's head felt light and her heart pounded all the way to the salon.

Matthew is going to propose to her, and in a matter of hours, she will be his fiancée! Not an hour ago, she wouldn't have dared to entertain such fanciful thoughts but now this is really happening.

A step into the room, again Marguerite was stupefied to find that the space had been decked with candles and flowers. At the other end of the room, Wagner stood supervising two workers putting the finishing touches to a bunch of flowers on a pedestal, which seemed to be specially brought into the room for the occasion. Soon he noticed Marguerite's arrival, and a smile softened his hard features. He left the spot and hurried towards Marguerite.

"Maggie, do you like it?"

The efforts her servants had shown to make this occasion perfect left her speechless for a moment.
"This... this is too much."