Chapter 44

Sometime later, Wagner's skeptical remarks about his feelings towards Arabella still lingered in his mind when Matthew stood in front of Marguerite's bedchamber. He'd bathed and changed into casual clothing before coming upstairs, feeling refreshed and ready to tell Maggie about everything.

"Come in."

At the sound of Marguerite's voice, Matthew felt his resolve weaken a bit, but he steeled himself and turned the knob.

Across the room, Marguerite sat with her back to him, her head bent over the table. She must be working on one of her flower sketches, he guessed by the scribbling sound she made.

"I'm not hungry yet, Mary."

Marguerite said without turning, apparently mistaken him for her maid.

At the familiar sight, suddenly an odd feeling settled over him, like a tinge of sadness. At the moment, it just occurred to him that his reunion with Bella would change everything between them. More or less, it meant at some point he and Maggie would be parting, going on their own separate live