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Chapter 20
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2022-05-12 15:13:10Related chapters
Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 21
Stranded in a foreign town with nothing but the clothes on his back, Matthew knew no other way to survive but to return to his old ways. He stayed in a blind alley near the market town, where he could easily blend with the locals while picking out his targets. He'd resolved to go on with his life, but not a day passed that he didn't think about Arabella. Her images pervaded his dreams and consumed his waking hours. He imagined her reaction the minute she found out he was gone. He'd promised to stay, but he'd left her without a word. What would she think of him? It was likely that she hated him now. Not that it mattered. Sooner or later, she would return to her family, and when she reentered society, she would meet a man of her class, and soon forget about him.Determined to put his misery behind him and get on with his life, he plunged into the bustle of the market town. As he pretended to jostle through the crowd, his hand unobtrusively made its way into some man's pocket, and a coi
Last Updated : 2022-05-13Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 22
It happened in a flash that Joseph "Mighty Joe" Goddard could barely see anything until the young man who shouted at him suddenly crumpled in a heap at his feet, and the other man reeled back with a surprised look. The next second, Goddard caught the sight of a blood-coated knife in his hand.Then a shocking realization struck him. The blood dripping from the knife would have been his had the young man not thrown himself in front of him. Leaping down, Goddard swiftly flipped the young man to see the severity of his injury, and found that red stain had been expanding rapidly over his shirtfront.Goddard cursed himself for not being aware of the oncoming danger. He'd dismissed a threat he'd received not so long ago as a mere bluff. He'd never feared for anything under the sun in his fifty eight years and he'd always refused to be defeated by age despite the fact that he was nudging sixty. However, it appeared that he began to lose his customary alertness."Fucking bastard!" He sprang
Last Updated : 2022-05-15Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 23
Marguerite said nothing more, allowing Goddard time and space to dwell on the matter. She remained there to offer him her quiet support. Time crawled in silence, that seemed to grow oppressive with every passing minute. The wait appeared to be an unbearable torture for Goddard, who glanced impatiently at the door every few minutes and never stopped flicking his fingers on his clad thigh. After what seemed like ages, the door opened and the doctor stepped out of the room. Goddard leapt to his feet, and practically pounced on the older man, not even giving him a second to draw breath."How is he?" "He will be fine. He lost a lot of blood but thankfully the stab didn't get into his vital organ." Goddard's face instantly cleared at the news. He continued to ask the doctor several other questions, while Marguerite slipped into the room. The nurse, who had just finished tidying up after the doctor, informed her a moment before leaving."We've had him cleaned up for now, make sure to keep
Last Updated : 2022-05-19Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 24
"I... I'll fetch you a blanket and something to wear."She stammered and hurried out of the room. Turning his head on the pillows, Matthew scanned his surroundings to find his clothes, but they were nowhere in sight. He cringed at the sight of the lacy handkerchief over his crotch and, couldn't bear the embarrassment for another minute, he searched for another possible covering within his reach. He almost reached for the pillows under his head when the girl returned with a pile of folded sheets and robe.Fixing his gaze on the ceiling, Matthew suppressed his mortification as the girl spread the blanket over his legs and pulled the sheets above his waist. She seemed to understand his predicament, careful to keep her gaze fixed anywhere else but on him. After she'd done arranging the blanket, she reached for the folded robe."I brought you my father's dressing gown. I know this is too big for you but I suppose it will have to make do for tonight. I'll try to get a pair of trousers and a
Last Updated : 2022-05-31Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 25
The minute she swept inside the privacy of her suite, Marguerite shut the door and leaned her back against the stout wood. She breathed out deeply, but she couldn't seem to slow her racing heart. She'd never experienced anything like this in her entire life. Her eyes fluttered close and a smile creeping onto her face as she relished the prospect of staying close to him tonight. With a sigh she opened her eyes again, only to meet Goddard's savage scowl across the room. He'd just stepped out of his bedroom, still wearing his complete attire since he'd be joining the casino crowd later.His presence immediately reminded Marguerite that she had to get his permission to take care of Matthew, and the expression Goddard wore told her, it wasn't going to be easy. But she had promised Matthew to stay near, and a promise was a promise. She shouldn't give up before trying. With the resolve, she looked up and met her father's eyes."Papa, tonight I need to stay downstairs to check Matthew every h
Last Updated : 2022-06-02Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 26
"I hope I'm doing this right. I'm not sure I recalled Mama's recipe correctly."Marguerite muttered as she put a baking tray filled with cookie dough into the oven. Turning back to the kitchen table, she took off the dish towel wrapped around her right hand and draped it over the chair before taking a seat.Standing on the other side of the table, the Cook, a nice, hearty woman in her late forties stopped chopping onions and glanced at her with a fond smile, "I'm glad to have you around again, Maggie. I never thought I'd see the day you'd be back here baking cookies."A wistful smile curled up on her lips as memories of the good old days wiggled their way out of the far recesses of her mind. She and her mother used to spend time together in the kitchen baking a lot of cookies and gingerbread, only to share them with the servants and casino staff. Back in the day, the heavenly smell of freshly baked cookies along with laughter of the happy servants always wafted on the air here.She'
Last Updated : 2022-06-03Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 27
For the dozenth time Matthew's gaze flicked at the doorway that evening. He didn't know when it started, but he found himself expecting to see Marguerite coming through that door, and it had nothing to do with the food she'd always brought for him. It was just good to have her around. He truly enjoyed her company, and she seemed to feel the same way. However, she had been a little bit strange when she left his room this afternoon, he wondered if he'd made her uncomfortable with his earlier answer. He'd known it might sound ridiculous, still, he couldn't give her anything other than an honest answer. As if on cue, the next time he glanced at the door, it clicked open and Marguerite swept into the room with a dinner tray. She immediately paused when their gazes met, fixing her eyes on the floor as she continued to walk toward him. Matthew almost opened his mouth to greet her but then refrained, afraid that after his inappropriate remark, she might feel the need to keep her distance fr
Last Updated : 2022-06-04Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 28
Marguerite had been standing in front of the ornate wooden door of Goddard's office for ten long minutes before she managed to muster enough courage to knock. She had strengthened her resolve and braced herself, knowing that it wouldn't be easy, still she flinched when she heard Goddard's voice from within the room. Taking in a steadying breath, she turned the latch and pushed the door.On the other end of the room, Goddard was sitting on a high chair behind a huge mahogany desk. Clearly not expecting to see Marguerite, he seemed a bit surprised. He put down his quill pen and beckoned her to come in.As her gaze swept briefly over the scattered papers on the huge mahogany desk, Marguerite immediately spotted an untouched platter of food on the far corner. It was almost nine o'clock, the food must have been sent to his office a couple of hours ago. She hated to see such a sumptuous meal go to waste, worse yet, to see Goddard ignore his own well being."What do you want to talk about?"
Last Updated : 2022-06-05
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Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 96
The next morning, Marguerite wrestled her luggage out of her room, hoping to slip away before anyone awoke. Not anger, but something far more insidious fueled her haste. Sleep had evaded her the prior night. A torrent of rage had engulfed her initially, but as the hours bled into dawn, a sobering train of thought infiltrated the red mist.What was the true source of her anger? Was it Jacob's self-serving motives, or the fact that he'd shoved the ugly truth in her face, shattering the fragile hope she'd built through denial? The answer, a sudden flash of deep knowledge, hit her like a ton of bricks.The anger she'd displayed had been a mere facade. A mask for the real emotion lurking beneath ~ fear. Fear of the feelings Jacob had unearthed, emotions that threatened to lead her down a dangerous path.Shaken by the realization, her first instinct was to escape. A desperate flight before reason abandoned her entirely. Last night, she'd been swept away by his allure. How long could she re
Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 95
Dear readers, please let me know if you're happy with the way the story is progressing. You are welcome to share your opinion and give me suggestions. Thank you and know that every comment you leave is a valuable input for me."Not a bad sight," she murmured. "Not a bad sight at all."A slight frown creased his brows then his lips curved into a knowing smile."Seems you've found a more captivating view closer by," he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.Marguerite felt a blush creep up her neck. "You're... you're so vain!" she stammered, flustered.Jacob shrugged, a hint of a playful smirk still lingering. "Never underestimate the power of a captivating sunset, or perhaps," he added, his voice dropping a notch lower, "the person standing next to it."Marguerite huffed, a strangled laugh escaping her lips despite her annoyance."You are incorrigible!"To Marguerite's relief, the playful banter eased the simmering tension. Jacob turned his attention to the treehouse, stepping forw
Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 94
The next day, late in the afternoon, Jacob led Marguerite on a winding tour of the estate. As they strolled the stone path in the garden, Marguerite tilted her head up, admiring the towering trees above them. Sunlight dappled through the leaves, casting shifting patterns on the ground. "Jake, I've heard rumors about your far-flung voyage across Europe and the Middle East, is that true?" Marguerite broke the silence. Her question sounded innocent, but a flicker of something in her eyes betrayed a deeper curiosity."Indeed," he replied, "There was even a year where I barely touched home soil.""The allure of the unknown, experiencing new cultures and faces, it must be intoxicating," Her voice trailed off, her gaze flickering to his face, searching for a deeper emotion beneath the surface."But have you ever missed home amidst your adventures?"A flicker of sadness, as fleeting as a shooting star, crossed his features before a wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Perhaps the thr
Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 93
When Marguerite entered the dining room later, a hint of vanilla and cinnamon danced in the air, mingling with the sweet perfume of the crimson roses that adorned the table's center. A dozen candles flickered softly, their warm glow painting the brick walls with the shimmering light of a thousand fireflies. The soft crackle of the fireplace added a comforting soundtrack to the ambiance. Linen napkins lay folded beside gleaming silverware, the perfect finishing touch to this romantic setting.Across the room, Jacob awaited her at a small round table draped in a snowy tablecloth. As she approached, he rose to his feet with a flourish, pulling out her chair with a practiced ease. His chivalrous demeanor fit perfectly with his previous image as a master of seduction.Yet, Marguerite had discovered a glimpse of something deeper beneath his carefree facade. Tonight, determined to explore this hidden side, Marguerite settled into her seat, anticipation simmering in the candlelit air. She pic
Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 92
At the bottom, the butler materialized to guide them to the dining room, where the Duke and the duchess awaited. The duchess, a ravishing woman in her early forties, rose from her seat to welcome them. "I've heard the fascinating story about your connection to my husband's long-lost brother. What an incredible stroke of luck! The two of you are a real godsend!""Your Grace, you are far too kind," Marguerite replied, attempting a curtsy despite the duchess' attempt to stop her."Nonsense with formalities, Miss Goddard. Marguerite, may I call you that?""Of course, Your Grace," Marguerite said with a touch of amusement. "Just call me Maggie.""Then Maggie it is," the duchess declared, a warm smile gracing her lips. "And you, my dear, may call me Ava."Despite their recent acquaintance, Marguerite felt an inexplicable kinship with the duchess. As their conversation flowed, the duchess divulged a curious story."Years before my husband even knew he had a brother," she began, a hint of so
Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 91
The Duke of Vermont paused just inside the doorway, surveying his unexpected guests. A young, attractive couple, clad in disheveled clothes, gawked at him, too stunned to offer a polite greeting."Have we met?" His question jolted them from their stupor.Marguerite and Jacob exchanged a bewildered glance, neither able to offer an immediate answer. The man standing before them was a mirror image of Matthew, a mature version with the same build and nearly identical face. The same eyes, an impossibly rare shade of blue, the same nose, the same strong jawline – It was Matthew's face, aged to perfection. Even his voice, a deep, rich rumble, echoed Matthew's own, the only difference being his mane of silver hair, a stark contrast to Matthew's raven locks.A beat of awkward silence passed before Jacob finally spoke, "Forgive me, Your Grace," he hesitated, "There's a... a certain resemblance we noticed between you and someone we know.""A resemblance, you say?" the Duke inquired, a hint of a
Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 90
Dear readers, please don't forget to leave a comment below to help me understand what you like. I'll do my best to deliver the best for you.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
Scoundrel With A Noble Heart Chapter 89
Hello, so sorry for the late update. I've been juggling with my kids and my job recently, but I hope to deliver the best for all of you. Your comments are very helpful, so please tell me what you think about this story, about the characters, and what you like.The harsh words scraped against Marguerite's ears, conjuring nightmarish visions that coiled in her gut. Guilt twisted like a viper as she questioned sending Jacob back in. Relief washed over her in a tidal wave when a moment later Jacob emerged from the entrance, his soot-streaked face etched with grim determination. A whimper drew her attention to a small, trembling form nestled in his arms – Chester. "Jake! Thank goodness!"Returning the child in her arms to its mother, Marguerite sprinted toward them. Oblivious to the true source of her panic, Jacob mistook her frantic dash to him for concern over the puppy. He chuckled, passing the wriggling ball of fur into her arms."This little boy is shaken, but unharmed."Marguerite
Scoundrel With A Noble Heart 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." Ja
