Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 78

"Matthew, you're awake!"
Marguerite jumped up from her chair and reached for him.
"How are you feeling right now?"

He opened his mouth to reply, but he could only produce a raspy croak.

"Sorry, you must be parched."
She turned towards the nightstand and grabbed the knocked glass. After quickly wiping the spillage with her handkerchief, she replenished the glass with water.

"Here, have a sip."

She helped him sit and brought the water to his mouth, keeping her hand on the glass and sliding her arm behind his head. He took a big gulp and started to splutter.

"Slowly." She stroked his back until he stopped coughing, then she eased him back into the pillow.

"Are you feeling better now?"
Marguerite asked gently, looking so concerned that his heart tightened. He weakly replied,
"Yeah, thank you."

"Great. I'll get you some beef tea. I know you hate it but you need it to restore your energy."

But at the moment, there was nothing he wanted more than to have her by his side. He needed nothing but her company, her support, to get him through the empty days ahead.

"No, Maggie, please just stay."
He reached out and grabbed her hand. Marguerite refrained from leaving, her heart ached as she saw the hurt in his features. She'd give anything to fix it. She wanted to wipe away the pain and bring back the smile to his face. Settling back into the bed, she leaned towards him and put her slender arms around him, whispering words of consolation into his ear.

As friends, they had hugged each other many times in the past, but this time, when she gathered him into her arms, there was this utter peace that just swept over him and he calmed down instantly. He snuggled closer against her and held her tight, wanting to stay in this moment forever. To his dismay, just a minute later an unwelcome intrusion shattered the serene moment.

"Matt. Thank Heaven you're awake."
Wagner swept into the room, a look of relief etched on his tired face. Marguerite immediately pulled away, and Matthew felt an absurd sense of loss. Wagner stopped by the edge of the bed, narrowing his gaze on Matthew as he asked,
"You've never been sick a day in your life. What have you done?"

Matthew didn't want to answer the question, but he knew Wagner wouldn't stop nagging him until he gave up.
"I rode through the rain for a few hours." He answered, hiding the fact that he'd skipped meals and drinks too.

"You're lucky to have arrived home just before you passed out. I bet you haven't eaten anything in the last few days."

Being reminded about that, Marguerite stood up.
"Matthew, you need to eat something immediately. I'll go to prepare some food for you."

Matthew cursed inwardly as he watched Marguerite hurrying out the room, leaving him alone with Wagner. As expected, his friend wasted no time to chide him.
"You act like you haven't enough sense to take care of yourself."

Matthew kept his gaze fixed on the wall, refusing to meet Wagner's annoyingly calm gaze.
"You don't need to say it, Bill. I know what you have to say."

Wagner raised a brow.
"I'm not going to say 'I've told you.'"

Matthew closed his eyes and hissed,
"Oh, shut up Bill."

"I'm not going to lie. You've made a terrible mistake, but that's fine. Making mistakes is part of living. Besides, we are only young and foolish once."

"Please. It's bad enough without your sarcastic taunt."

"Matt, I'm not taunting you. I'm sorry you're hurt because she chose another man, but then I would say: good riddance to bad rubbish. You're lucky to have found out what she really is early on before things go too far."