Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 43

All the way back home, Matthew walked with a foolish grin fixed on his face. He still couldn't believe that this was actually happening. It felt like a dream. One he never wanted to wake up from. At the moment he felt as if he was floating on a cloud. He'd never imagined that one day he would be given a second chance to meet Arabella again. Moreover, he'd never had dared to imagine that his feelings for her would be returned in kind.

"See you again very soon."
Her sweet voice rang in his ears. She wanted to see him again. And she'd kissed him! He touched his cheek where her lips had left a sweet, damp sensation that lingered until this very second. He definitely wouldn't wash his face today. He probably wouldn't wash his face tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow.

He felt almost giddy with delight that along the way, he completely forgot to make up an excuse for Marguerite. The grin still remained when he arrived home, instead of fading, it spread even wider as he settled in his office, rested his head on the back of the couch and stared into the blank ceiling. He cursed himself inwardly for acting like a lovestruck teenager, who'd been easily got carried away by a single kiss. Thinking about it, it wasn't even a kiss, merely a peck on the cheek, but he would give his last breath for another one. He couldn't wait for their next meeting, knowing she also looked forward to seeing him again. Uncaring of the fact that he'd been up all night, he pondered sneaking into her chamber again tonight.

All of a sudden, the door to his office slammed open and his sweet musings crashed around him. He turned to see Wagner burst in, tearing across the room with long, furious strides.

"Where have you been all night?" He demanded, but before Matthew could answer the first question, Wagner continued to berate him.
"Have you any idea how disappointed Maggie is that you forgot such an important occasion? Not to mention that you have humiliated her in front of all of the staff? How could you do this to her?"

It wasn't until then that he remembered about Marguerite, and how terrible it was for her to be left waiting in vain when she'd been anticipating the dinner all day.

"Jesus! Is she angry?"

"How would you feel if somebody promised you to come home in time for a special event then they stood you up the whole night?"

Matthew stared blankly at the top of his desk, running a hand through his hair as he whispered,
"Dear God. I should make it up to her."

"You'd best redeem it as soon as possible. Go propose to her right away and make her forget about last night."

The word 'propose' struck him and for a moment, Matthew fell silent. Over the past year, he'd gradually come to terms with his ineluctable fate, to eventually marry Marguerite, but now that he'd found the woman he truly loved, he couldn't settle for less. Thankfully he hadn't proposed to Maggie. It would be terribly awkward and embarrassing for both of them if he had to call off the engagement. Even so, he was well aware that his reunion with Bella wouldn't be exciting news for Maggie. However, sooner or later Maggie would find out about it, so he could see no point in keeping it longer.

Under Wagner's fiery stare, Matthew shoved away from his desk and repaired to the side table. There he fortified himself with a mouthful of whiskey before turning back to Wagner, saying,
"Things have changed, Bill. I'm not going to marry her."

For a long moment, Wagner could only stare round-eyed at him, completely stumped. It took the older man a couple of minutes to find his voice.
"Tell me the reason."

"Because last night I found the woman I truly love. I have loved her from the first time I met her ten years ago, and I just realized, I'll never be able to love another woman the way I love her."
Matthew paused to let out a heavy sigh.
"Look, Bill. It's a long story. I promise I'll tell you later, just let me have my bath first."