Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 90

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After a brief chat, they set their sights on the town market, hoping to find food and perhaps secure passage to their next destination, Vermont. The walk took about thirty minutes, and by the time they arrived, Marguerite's stomach was grumbling loudly. Despite the hunger pangs, she pressed on. Just as a wave of faintness washed over her, they reached the bustling market. Jacob, ever observant, noticed Marguerite's pale face and stopped short.

"Maggie, are you okay?" he asked with concern.

"I'm feeling a bit lightheaded," she admitted. "Maybe I need to sit down."

Jacob gently took Chester from her arms and offered Marguerite his other arm for support. His firm grip steadied her as he guided her to a nearby bench.

"Don't worry," he assured her, "We'll find a doctor if you need one." He carefully placed Chester on the bench and helped her sit.

"No, no doctor," Marguerite managed, "just terribly hungry."

She cast a worried glance at the market stalls. "Jake," she whispered, "We don't have any money left. How can we afford food?"

A confident smile played on Jacob's lips. "Leave it to me," he said. "Stay put with Chester. I'll be right back."

Marguerite harbored doubts. Could he simply ask strangers for handouts and expect success? But Jacob proved himself a true charmer. Within minutes, he reappeared with two hefty sandwiches overflowing with fillings and a portion of fresh meat for Chester.

Too famished to question his methods, Marguerite devoured her sandwich in mere moments. By her side, Chester wolfed down his meal with equal enthusiasm.

"I never had a better meal." Marguerite pushed a last morsel of cheese into her mouth, and paused when she realized that Jacob was watching her with an amused smile.
"Sorry, that was so unladylike."

"No, that was fine. Actually, that was refreshing to see someone who cared little about artificial manners."

Marguerite flinched, a wave of unexpected nervousness washing over her. His gaze, usually so warm, felt intense today, sending a shiver down her spine. It was a confusing mixture of flattery - a sense of being singled out - and a strange disquiet that prickled at her skin.

Desperate to break the tension, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"How'd you manage to score all that free food?"

"Pure luck," he said with a wry smile. "The sandwich lady must have mistaken me for a stray dog."

The image of Jacob charming a pretty market vendor flickered through her mind, sparking a flicker of annoyance.

"Ah. Used your charm on the poor lady, more likely," she countered, sharper than intended.

A frown creased his brow for a fleeting moment, but his voice remained unruffled.
"Flattering my vanity to think I possess such irresistible charm, aren't you?"

Heat flooded Marguerite's cheeks. "Th-that's not what I said!"

"Perhaps not," he shrugged, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "But implied nonetheless."

"You are the most... infuriating person I know!"

Marguerite averted her face to hide her embarrassment. Blushing for mentioning her feelings, she peeked through her lashes. His gaze, however, was no longer on her. He scanned their surroundings, a furrow etching itself between his brows.