Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 46

After spending nearly an hour thinking of some way to make Matthew feel better, Marguerite decided to make one of his favorite foods, chicken soup. He always ate heartily whenever she served him that simple dish and she remembered he once told her that her soup tasted like his late mother's.

Cook seemed surprised when Marguerite appeared in the kitchen door, but much to her relief, the woman refrained from asking her about last night and busied herself with helping her prepare the ingredients.

The minced onion began to sizzle in the saucepan when Cook stepped over to hand out a pot of broth to Marguerite.

"Thank you." Marguerite murmured, continuously stirring it to prevent burning. Once the onion turned to brown and released its delightful flavor, she poured the liquid into the pan.

"Oh, it smells heavenly." Cook commented when the simmering soup filled the kitchen with delicious aroma.

"This is for Matthew." Marguerite smiled fondly as she mentioned the name.
"I suppose he is still shocked after the mugging. Thank goodness he came to no harm. I hope this soup can help set him straight and keep him fit for the night. He hasn't got enough sleep today."

An instant frown crossed the older woman's face.
"I hope Mr. Walsh knows how lucky he is to have such an angel like you in his life, Maggie."
Cook paused, hesitated for a second, but then resumed,
"I don't think he deserves this after what he's done to you last night. To be honest, I don't think he deserves you at all."

"Oh, please, Cook. You can't forget all his good deeds just because he made a single mistake." Marguerite protested.

"A fatal one," Cook snorted. "What kind of man can so easily forget his promise to a woman he is going to propose to?"

Unable to give a prompt reply, Marguerite let out a sigh.
"Well, at least he has the intention to propose to me. He has got a ring for me."

Although she felt badly let down last night, she decided not to take it to heart. The proposal had been postponed, but not for long. It would soon be happening. It could be this evening, or even earlier. She was unable to resist a smile spread over her face at the thought. Well, she didn't need a fancy dinner with flowers and candlelight. She didn't even need a ring. If he'd just tell her he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, it would be more than enough. She would be the happiest woman on earth.

Anxious to see Matthew again soon after he'd had enough rest, around five o' clock, Marguerite decided to deliver the soup herself. She paused for long minutes in front of his door to compose herself and calm her nerves, thinking this might be the time she would finally hear him proposing to her, but when she finally mustered enough courage to knock, there were no answers from inside the room.

"Matthew, it's me. Can I come in?" she called. Still no answer, and she thought that he was probably still asleep. She should wake him up, though. The club would be open within an hour and he needed to be there. After a moment's hesitation, she reached the knob and slowly pushed the door open.

"Matthew?"
She peeked through the gap to find the rumpled bed in the middle of the room empty. Seemingly he'd stirred moments ago and now he must have gotten back to work. With that reasonable assumption, Marguerite turned around and headed to Matthew's study. Right outside the door, she encountered a servant who had just come out of the room with an empty tray.

The maid paused when she caught sight of Marguerite and bobbed her head to greet her. Marguerite nodded and smiled by way of reply, but when she proceeded towards the door, the maid stopped her.

"Pardon me, Miss, but Mr. Walsh isn't there. He left not so long ago without using his own carriage. The footman said this morning he received a message from an unknown messenger."