Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 88

Dear readers, I'm sorry for the very late update. Trying my best to juggle family, my current job and my passion for writing. Please keep in mind that I only want to deliver the best for you. Please feel free to let me know what you think of the story. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🎊

As the trip progressed, Marguerite soon found that she could sit comfortably with Jacob for long minutes without the need to speak. To her great relief, he seemed relaxed and content with the companionable silence between them, not trying to entertain her with constant conversation.

After a while, the quiet surroundings and the smooth motion of the vehicle made Marguerite feel sleepy. She'd just dozed off when suddenly the deafening sound of a gunshot rang out, startling her awake. The carriage lurched to a sudden halt and she was jolted forwards. Blinking back her confusion, she searched for Jacob in the opposite seat and asked fearfully,
"Jake, is that robber?!"

"You stay here, I'll check."
Jacob quickly got out of the vehicle, shutting the door closed in his wake. But Marguerite couldn't just sit still without knowing what was going on, she immediately shifted to the door. Cracking it open, she peeked out, and spotted a grubby little dog crumpled on the middle of the road, whimpering from pain and fear. Her heart lurched at the sight of the helpless creature.

"Pardon me, Sir! The dog ran right in front of the carriage!" The driver jumped off his perch.

Marguerite darted out of the carriage and hurried toward the injured dog, but she halted when she heard someone cursing and approaching loudly from the side of the road. She turned her gaze around to see a big, fat man with a rifle in his hand.

"Excuse me, I need to finish this bloody mongrel." The man stopped a scant foot away from the terrified dog and aimed his rifle at the poor thing.

"No!!!"
Without thinking, Marguerite rushed over and kneeled beside the dog, wrapping her arms protectively around its shaking form.

"Maggie! What are you doing?!"
Startled by her reckless act, Jacob immediately stepped over, effectively shielding both Maggie and the dog.
"What's the matter, Sir?" He demanded, hoping to distract the man from his initial purpose.

"That filthy animal trespassed on my property!" The man spat out.

"Don't you think it's too cruel to shoot a stray animal just because it unknowingly roamed into your property?" Jacob managed to hide his indignation and keep his voice low and calm. With the man's gun still pointing dangerously at his chest, the last thing he wanted was provoking the mad bastard further.

The man scoffed,
"Let me tell you, that cur is a jinx. He brings bad luck wherever he goes. Its owner lost all his money soon after they brought him in. They got evicted from their house a few months ago."

"That's ludicrous! I don't believe that nonsense!"
Marguerite retorted, unknowingly dragging the man's attention to her. Jacob cursed inwardly, his gaze closely following the muzzle of the gun, which was shifting back to the dog and Maggie. He moved aside to cover her, careful not to attract the man's attention. The man was unaware of the attempt, moving impatiently to shout at Maggie.
"I don't give a damn what you believe, Miss! I don't want this nasty creature to get anywhere near my land!"

"Don't worry about it. I'm taking him with me." Marguerite declared, taking the man by surprise. He fell silent for a brief moment, but then he sneered,
"Well, I wish you lots of luck."
The man cast one last mocking glance at the dog, and when he spun around to leave, Jacob was filled with an overwhelming sense of relief. He turned to Marguerite, who seemed to be heedless of the danger that she put herself in.