Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 48

Dear readers,
sorry for the late update. I found it hard to juggle with writing and children, but I'll do my best to deliver my story for you. Hope you enjoy it and feel free to let me know what you think about the story and the characters. I'll really appreciate that.

Marguerite wandered back to her suite in a state of utter dejection. At first all she could think of was; how could she overlook the signs? But there really weren't any signs at all. How was she supposed to know when nothing had gone wrong? Matthew had changed drastically in the space of two days. How could it be possible? Amidst the whirlwind of emotions, she recalled what Wagner said to her.

Matthew isn't the sort who dallies with celebrities. It must have been Mannheim who pimped the actress out to him.

At the thought, Marguerite felt her insides simmering with rage and contempt for the rogue. He'd corrupted her Matthew, and now the man she loved had fallen into debauchery just like all other society rakes. Although, given the nature of the world they belonged to, she should have known this thing was just to be expected. Knowing the fact that his work required him to blend with all kinds of profligate every night, she couldn't expect him to remain untouched by vice and abstain from all the pleasures the world had to offer like Goddard. The thought of the late old man touched her with a tinge of sadness.

Joe.

How she missed him. This would never happen if he were still here with them. But now that he was gone, there was no one else to rely upon but herself. She must find a way to save Matthew from himself, but she hadn't the faintest idea what to do.

The matter still absorbed Marguerite when someone knocked on her door almost an hour later.

"Come in."
She answered idly, and shot straight up in her chair when the door swung open and Matthew stepped inside, looking exceedingly handsome in his evening suit. He paused, his gaze swept over her loose cotton gown.

"Maggie, you haven't dressed up yet?"

Marguerite stared at him blankly.
"Dressed up?"

"We're having dinner tonight, aren't we?"

Dinner! She completely forgot about it.

"Sorry. I'll get prepared."

She shoved away from the table and Matthew stepped out to give her the privacy she needed, saying,
"It's alright. Take your time. I'll be waiting for you on the balcony."

Twenty minutes later, Marguerite arrived at the balcony, where Wagner and the other staff had set up a table complete with candles and flowers. Matthew rose to greet her when she stepped out into the moonlit terrace.

Murmuring a return greeting, Marguerite turned her attention to the servant who conveniently appeared to hold out the chair for her. As she lowered herself onto the chair across from him, she avoided his gaze and just looked around her. The moon, the candles, the simple table decoration were splendid, but nothing could dispel the gloominess that had been weighing on her mind ever since she discovered the hard truth.

As dinner progressed, not a word passed between them. The silence stretched out after the servants left, disturbed only by the quiet clink of silver utensils. When Matthew stole a glance at Marguerite a moment later, her whole attention still fixed upon her plate. Refrained from starting a conversation, he took his time observing her.

After much thought, he still couldn't quite fathom why Maggie's recent encounter with Jacob disturbed him greatly. Perhaps because he felt obliged to keep her protected. After all, Maggie was different from most women. Being sheltered for all her life, she was so innocent, so naive, so hopelessly unworldly. She hadn't experienced many things in her life and she didn't know what people were like, particularly what most men were like. She had no idea how dangerous the outside world was for a woman. It was best for her to never be seen by another man, especially the sort that frequented this place.