บททั้งหมดของ Scoundrel With A Noble Heart : บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

A Sordid Beginning   The gentle wind passed through a lively street in the seaside town, carrying the salty scent of the ocean and the relaxing sound of the waves crashing onto the shore.  The sidewalk was packed with people passing and coming in and out of the fashionable shops and tea houses lining the street. Almost everyone flaunted themselves in the latest style, gracing the walkway with their bright and vibrant presence. This pedestrian precinct was ultimately the town's attraction with its fancy-looking crowd and pretty sights every which way one turned, but close to this charming part of town, the shadier sides lay hidden between the buildings across the street, where rogues and scoundrels lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike.  From hi

A blast of raucous laughter from a distance away silenced them both. The girl immediately stilled, and Matthew could feel she was catching her breath. They stood very still, watching the thugs walk past them. Gradually he felt her body relax in his arms. Her breathing was still in a race but she had stopped struggling. He waited until the men disappeared from view before releasing her. Once the villains receded into the woods, Arabella twisted her arms free and pulled away. At a glance she instantly recognized the thug. He was the man who rode with her earlier. Unlike the others, he seemed like he had no evil intentions toward her. He kept his hands off of her along the ride, and treated her politely. Still, she couldn't trust this man so easily."What do you want?" "Nothing. I just want to help you out of here." Those beautiful eyes squinted suspiciously at him. He couldn't see their color in the dark, but he rem

Matthew lost track of how long he'd been running through the woods carrying the girl on his back. His lungs felt as if they were going to explode but he refused to stop. He forced himself to run faster, and faster, until finally his legs gave out and he crumpled down onto the wet ground.    With one side of his face pressed against the forest floor, he struggled to regain his breath. Arabella's head lolled beside his, her gentle breath fanned his cheek.    "Hold on," He whispered, as though she could hear him. "Hold on just a little longer."   Trembling with exhaustion, he lifted his head and spotted a cave in a hillside not so far away. He struggled to get back on his feet, but the delicate weight that burdened him seemed many times multiplied now. His legs buckled under him several times as he scrambled his way to th

Not believing any of the prophecies, Matthew soon dismissed the sheer nonsense and prepared for leaving. Returning to the house, he removed the blanket and sheets Arabella had used the night before and washed them. Arabella stood watching with a scowl as Matthew made the bed with fresh sheets, while Madam Nora fixed them a generous breakfast. Too famished to cling to her pride now, Arabella sat eating with them at the table, trying not to gulp the food while Matthew made conversation with the madam during the meal. Later, after he'd finished helping the madam with the dishes, Matthew bid farewell,"Thank you, Madam. We owe you a debt of gratitude for all your help." Arabella put her necklace on the table nearby and said grudgingly,"Here, take it. I don't want to be indebted to anyone." "No worries, young lady. You don't owe me anything, but you owe every other breath you take to the young man."The Gypsy woman took the

"What?" She turned her head to see. "Don't look back! Keep going!" Matthew pushed her, urging her to move faster. He sneaked a glance at the watcher and saw the man hurrying toward the crowd, eyes fixed on them. Pushing their way through the throng, he followed her when she headed into an alley. Wrong turn, because the passage led to a deserted factory complex. Now they were alone and exposed, trapped in a dead end. "Let's hide in the building!" Rushing to the nearest door, Arabella turned the rusty knob, but the door didn't open. "Oh, no!" Arabella cried in panic."What do we do now?" Before Matthew could answer, they heard nearing footsteps coming their way. "Come here!"Quickly he pulled her and they hid behind an old barrel. The footsteps came closer, now they could hear it loud and clear. Carefully Matthew