Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 58

Dear readers,
So sorry for the very late update, and sorry there hasn't been much progress (but there will be. I'm building the growing relationship between the characters so it will not feel "rushed" because it takes time for attraction to grow into something deeper.) The festive season has just ended here in my country and my helper hasn't returned yet, so I'm still juggling household chores and taking care of my kids. Oh, how I miss normal days when I can manage to steal a couple of precious hours to write in uninterrupted silence when my toddler is taking a nap. However I'm trying my best to never stop writing and I'm working on the next chapter. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

And please follow my ig: jkromanceauthor

Sometime later in one of the elaborate parlors on the second floor of the club, Marguerite sat waiting for her guest with her stomach in knots. This must be the most daring thing she'd ever done, but like the proverb says; nothing ventured, nothing gained, and since she couldn't bring herself to confront Matthew directly, she would need a tack and a lot of help. Lord Mannheim had offered to be her ally, and though she suspected he had some ulterior motives, since she didn't know anyone else who could help, it left her with no other option.

However, one thing that unsettled her was that she couldn't explain the strange conviction she had that she was on the brink of something momentous. Like she'd just made a fateful move, something that would change the course of her life. Suddenly feeling too restless to sit, she moved to the window, gazing out at the darkened streets below. Before long, she heard brisk footsteps approaching on the other side of the wall.

Taking a steadying breath, she spun around in the direction of the door, and even though she felt no great attraction for Lord Mannheim, she stole a quick glance in the mirror to check her appearance. Her gaze landed on the doorway right on cue as Lord Mannheim's tall form appeared between the frame, with Mary standing a step behind him. Marguerite's stomach gave a fluttery flip when the piercing green eyes met her gaze.

"I apologize for interrupting your play, my lord. Please have a seat."
She managed to say in her most level tone.

Saying nothing in response, Lord Mannheim stepped into the room. Mary threw a wary glance at Marguerite a moment before closing the door behind him. Disguising her nervousness, Marguerite returned to the couch and took a seat while he crossed the fair distance to the couches with a few strides and settled himself across from her. Swallowing back the lump in her throat, she started fiddling with her skirts, grappling to remember what she intended to say. Strange, on other occasions where she met him by chance, she never felt nervous like she did now.

"I'll be much obliged if you can give me a few minutes, I'll try not to hold you up for too long." She began.

"No need to be so formal, Miss Goddard. What can I help you with?"
He said as he leaned back on the couch and crossed his legs in the elegantly masculine way he had, which made her feel rather intimidated, but also captivated. Dragging her mind back to the matter, Marguerite kept her gaze fixed on his face.
"I want to know who this Lady A is."

"Lady A?"

"Matthew's lady friend."

He regarded her with an amused smile.
"How did you know her name starts with the letter A?"

"A couple of days before I... stumbled upon you in front of the diva's door, I found a message for Matthew in his study, asking him to meet up. The sender put only initial A at the end. Because not so long ago Matthew just got acquainted with Anja Pavlova, I thought it must be her."

His smile broadened into a grin.
"Evidently you have a talent for drawing hasty but incorrect conclusions, Miss Goddard. However, you are right on one thing. A is indeed the lady's first initial."