Chapter 65

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Hello, sorry for the slow progress. I'm doing my best to keep up. Hope you enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think.

It had only been two days since Matthew departed but Marguerite felt like it had been two long weeks. She had been missing him badly and feeling so lonely in his absence, so this morning she decided to have breakfast with Wagner in the kitchen. Feeling sorry for her, Cook had pampered her with a selection of her favorite pastries, but the delicious treats could do little to dispel Marguerite's dejection. She stared gloomily at the little cakes and pop tarts on her plate. They looked and smelled divine, but she just couldn't muster enough appetite to feast on them.

"Maggie, is there something bothering you?"
Wagner's voice broke the silence. Marguerite lifted her gaze to meet his observant eyes.

"Bill, do you think Matthew is really going to check his property?" She brought herself to ask. Wagner took a moment to consider his reply.

"Maggie, Matthew has never lied to me or anyone before, so I suppose this time we just have to trust him."

"Are you sure he is not going with her lover?"

"I can't possibly know for certain about it, but Matthew is not one to cheat or lie. It's not part of his character, so I guess you can stop worrying. Now why don't you try the pastries before they're getting cold? Cook has worked so hard to prepare them this early. We don't want to disappoint her."

"Alright."
Marguerite reluctantly took her knife and fork and began tearing a cream cheese tart, but before she could take a bite, suddenly the kitchen door slammed open and a staff came bursting in.
"Pardon me, Miss Maggie, Sir, but we have a situation! There's a furious gentleman down the hall looking for Master Matthew."

Wagner shifted his attention to the staff and asked unenthusiastically.
"Is it the halfwit who lost his property to us last night?"

"No, Sir. The gentleman is not our patron. He introduced himself as Viscount Alastair Winthrop. I told him Master Matthew is not here at the moment and he suddenly blew a fuse. He accuses Master Matthew of kidnapping his daughter and demands to see the person in charge right away."

Marguerite gasped at the shocking news and turned to Wagner, but before she could ask him anything, Wagner had shoved out of his seat and dashed out of the room. The staff hurried along with him. Marguerite rushed after them, but instead of following them to the hall, she headed to the balcony upstairs. She stopped by the railing right on cue as Wagner strode into the hall to face the guest, who looked ready to pounce on anyone coming his way.

"Tell me where's the bastard going!"
The elderly gentleman scarcely bothered with civility as he accosted Wagner.

"Mr. Walsh is going out of town to check on his property."

"I'm not that foolish to believe it's such a coincidence that he went out of town at the exact same time my daughter disappeared?"
He let out a harsh laugh, then suddenly his face twisted into a grimace.
"My daughter ran away with a blackguard?! I won't have it! I swear to God I will see him rot in jail!"

"Pardon me, Sir. I don't believe Mr. Walsh has committed any offense. Even if your daughter is going with him, it's hardly a kidnapping. I mean, how old is she? Seven year old?"

Wagner's caustic reply sent the Viscount into an outrage. He uttered a score of profanity in Wagner's face before two bulky security guards rushed to escort him out. The angry gentleman jerked away when one of the guards placed a hand on his shoulder, and barked at the man. Up in the balcony, Marguerite put a hand over her mouth as she witnessed the scene. For a brief moment, she was afraid that the men would end up in a brawl. Fortunately the Viscount refrained from taking it further. He straightened his jacket briskly and threw a murderous glare at Wagner before stalking furiously out of the club. Once the Viscount disappeared through the doors, Wagner spun around and darted back. Marguerite hurried to approach him and met him in the middle.

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