Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 59

Hellooo, sorry you have to wait for so long for the update. Just coming home from a vacation and still juggling with chores. Hope this chapter is satisfying enough. Am working on the next. Please drop your comments. They really help me to stay motivated.

The soft rumble of wheels against smooth road filled the charged silence in the carriage that brought Marguerite and Jacob to the dressmaker. Putting as much distance as she could between herself and the man across from her, Marguerite squeezed closer to her maid at the end of the seat. Despite her constant denial of his immense charms, Marguerite couldn't resist an impulse to steal a glance at him, and when he seemed to be absorbed in the view outside the windows and not looking, she took the chance to observe him. He sat lounging on the plush seats with arms across his chests, one long leg stretching out towards her. Even in his relaxed pose, he looked rather imposing. His tall stature made the spacious interior seem small. The jostling of the carriage made the lantern swing from side to side, and she noticed even when the shadows fell upon his face, the pale green orbs gleamed in the dark, piercing like a flash of lightning.

As he kept his gaze outside the windows, Jacob hid a smile, pretending to be unaware of Marguerite's surreptitious yet thorough perusal. He could sense her relentless stare, and he could almost hear her suspicious thoughts. He knew she doubted his intentions, and she suspected that he had ulterior motives. Because, why would he lend a helping hand for nothing in return? And to be honest, it sort of puzzled him either. Try as he might, he couldn't quite explain why he was inclined to help Marguerite Goddard. During their short acquaintanceship, she'd done nothing but snub him at every turn and accuse him of all manner of vice, but oddly he found the sharp-tongued Miss Goddard adorable.

In contrast to her rival's striking beauty, her features were rather pale and delicate. She might not be the most fetching female in the room, nor the sort that immediately turned heads in her direction, but there was something about her that was so irresistibly compelling. Something he didn't find in the vain, vapid beauties he'd dated in the past. Her artlessness was refreshing in a society full of falsity and pretense, and for the first time, he was drawn to a woman in a way he'd never been before.

He even enjoyed her quiet company that he wished the ride would stretch a little bit longer, but the carriage had slowed down, and less than a couple of minutes later, they had arrived at their destination.

Once the wheels stopped rolling, Marguerite twisted in her seat to peek out through the curtains to the little shop by the sidewalk.

"It's closed."
She turned towards Jacob, but he seemed unworried.

"You wait here."
He got out onto the curb, headed to the front door and knocked several times. A muffled voice came from within the building, and a few moments later the door swung open to reveal a plump, ginger-haired woman in her late forties.

"Madame Le Veaux, sorry for disturbing your sleep." Jacob greeted her.

"My lord! What a pleasant surprise. Come, come!"
The dressmaker performed a quick curtsy and gestured for Jacob to step in.

"I'm bringing a friend."

He returned to the carriage, stretching out a hand to help Marguerite climb out of the coach. After a moment's hesitation, she took his proffered hand, and hastily severed contact once both her feet hit the curb. Soon Mary followed her out, and Jacob gestured for them to precede him into the shop. Marguerite nodded shyly at the dressmaker before walking past the threshold, with Mary trailing behind her. A step into the room, she was greeted by the sight of hundreds of colorful rolls of fabric propped up against each other, some of them scattered on the floor. Soon Jacob entered the shop and paused beside her.