Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 109

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The tension in his voice set off the alarm bells in her head. Pulling away to see his expression, her heart lurched once she met his clouded eyes.
"I need to meet Matthew, to declare my intentions to you openly, to settle things between us."

Her breath hitched. The very idea sent a shiver down her spine. To see Matthew's hurtful expression, the pain of betrayal in his eyes, to face his fury... She recoiled at just the thought of it.

"Jake, I don't think it's a good idea. Matthew must be shaken now. You will just upset him further, and honestly, we don't need his permission. We've done nothing wrong."

"That's why I have no reason to sneak around with you like a thief. I don't want it to appear like I'm kidnapping you away. I told you I'm not running. I don't want a shadow hanging over us when we start our new life together, Maggie. Matthew deserves to know my intentions openly and honestly. It's not about his permission, but about respecting Matthew enough to be upfront with him and putting this whole thing to rest."

Marguerite bit her lip, worry etched on her face. She understood Jacob's desire for a clean break. His initiative to settle things with Matthew portrayed his integrity, and that was another admirable quality about him. But she feared the prospect of him alone in Matthew's den facing the possible volatile situation.

Aware of Marguerite's apprehension, Jacob reached for her hand, his touch gentle yet firm.
"You don't need to go with me, Maggie. Let me and Matthew settle this between us men."

Marguerite took a deep breath and looked up,
meeting his eyes with a strengthened resolve.
"No, Jake. I'll go with you."

"Are you sure? That won't be easy."

"I know, that's why I don't want you to face him alone. From now on, we'll face everything together."

A warm smile tugged at his lips.
"That would be great. It would make it clear to everyone, especially Matthew, that our feelings are genuine. Besides, you can have a proper farewell with the people in your home. They have been with you for years, we should definitely pay our respects before we leave. And don't forget about Chester. He must be waiting for you now. He is a significant part of our journey."

A shadow fell upon Marguerite's face. A pang of guilt shot through her heart as she was reminded of the missing dog. Being separated from Chester, her beloved companion, diminished the initial joy of the situation.

"Jake," A fresh wave of devastation washed over her. "I lost Chester just yesterday. He is missing and hasn't been found."

Surprise flickered across his face.
"How did it happen?"

She poured out the story about the maid forgetting the door and Chester slipping out. Her voice trembled as she confessed, "I've searched for him everywhere, but he has disappeared." Guilt and remorse choked her voice as she met his gaze.
"I'm sorry, Jake. You've risked your life to rescue him but I failed to keep him safe."

"Maggie, it wasn't your fault." He took her into his consoling embrace, his voice firm yet gentle.
"Stop blaming yourself. Accidents happen.
Let's just hope Chester finds a kind soul who'll take care of him until we can find him."

"I wish there would be a miracle for us to get Chester back in our arms. It would be perfect. Imagine how happy he would be to have both of us together with him."

"Indeed. Don't lose faith, Maggie. If you love someone or something so much, it will find its way back to you, like what just happened to me today."

Hearing his words of comfort, Marguerite recalled how she miraculously found her mother's long lost diary, hidden for over a decade, just in time to save her from a life-altering mistake. A tiny seed of hope bloomed in her heart, fragile yet persistent. A flicker of light danced in her tear-filled eyes, a spark of determination replacing the despair.
"You are right, Jake. Miracles do happen. It led me back to you in the most unimaginable way. Perhaps it may lead Chester back to us one day as well."