"Good heavens!"Marguerite hurried outside, followed by Matthew.When they entered Goddard's chamber, the old man had been laid down in his bed, two servants standing at the bedside. The heavy velvet curtains were drawn to allow sunlight into the room while the sheer curtains were left closed to soften the sun's rays.The very sight of the unconscious Goddard brought Matthew up short. It wasn't until he saw Goddard in close quarters that he realized that the man looked much older and frail. Matthew wasn't aware of it before because most of the time he met his employer at night, but in the daylight he noticed that his employer's complexion was dull and lifeless, and his skin had turned bluish gray. Matthew didn't know for certain what was ailing the tireless man, but he guessed after all these years, Goddard's heavy drinking and damaging lifestyle finally took a toll on his health.Within minutes the doctor arrived, and they waited outside during the examination. As the minutes ticked

Failed to find a sufficient reason to decline, for the first time Matthew submitted to his friend's persuasion. However, he insisted they rode in their separate coaches, in case he found the play unbearable and decided to come home earlier. Not an hour later, they had settled in a private box at one side of the building. They had sneaked up late as per his request, to avoid being seen by the crowd. As a famous rake, Jacob was a magnet for attention, and being in his company was guaranteed to drag anyone under public eye, something Matthew would rather avoid at any cost. From his perch up high on one side of the theatre, Matthew looked down on the crowd in the cavernous hall below. No fewer than six hundred people packed the auditorium, leaving not a single seat vacant. Apparently Jacob was not exaggerating when he said that the London public had gone wild for the show and its main attraction, a beautiful ballerina who'd risen to great fame within a very short time since her debut. Th

"What about us having dinner tomorrow?""I... I'd love to...""Very well. I'll see you at half past nine?""That would be perfect."Afraid that he might see her nervousness, she was relieved when Matthew glanced down to check his pocket watch. "Maggie, I need to stop by the tavern. I'll see you later at home."He knocked on the roof and the carriage pulled up at the roadside. Marguerite managed to maintain a composed facade but once the carriage door shut in his wake, she slumped back against her seat. Closing her eyes, she took a long, calming breath. She couldn't help smiling to herself as she pressed a hand over her pounding heart.Matthew finally invited her for dinner! Whatever he wanted to talk about, it must be important. She didn't know if she was imagining it but it sounded like he was going to confess his feelings for her, or something like that.Suddenly a sparkly thing beneath a velvet cushion caught her eye. She pushed the pillow aside and found a silver, gem-studded poc

The moment she arrived at the paneled door to Matthew's office, Marguerite suddenly felt an almost overwhelming urge to flee. It took hours for her to gird herself for the 'investigation', but at the last minute, she felt her resolve weakening. She turned to leave, but stopped after a few steps, turning back and starting for the door again. She took a deep, steadying breath, and before she could change her mind again, she raised her hand and knocked three times. Her heart leapt when she heard Matthew's voice from within the room."Come in."Drawing another fortifying breath, Marguerite turned the knob and gently pushed the door open.On the other side of the room, Matthew sat behind a huge mahogany desk, his head bent down as he scribbled with a quill pen. When he glanced up from the paper, he appeared slightly taken aback to see Maggie instead of one of the casino staff."Maggie. I thought you'd gone to the foster home."At the mention of the place, Marguerite felt a little pang of g

Not expecting her to remember him after all these years, a sudden wave of overwhelming joy engulfed him."Bella..." For a second, Arabella completely forgot the grudge she'd been holding against him."Matthew, how could you get in the party? Are you a worker here?"Then recollection of the past rushed back, and pain of betrayal scorched her once again. Her expression turned cold, her voice infused with contempt when she spoke again."Don't tell me now you're sneaking into noble parties to steal."The chilly note in her voice caught him off guard. He blinked in confusion as she continued,"Who'd you deceive to let you in this time? Some lovestruck maid? Or the lady of the house herself?""Bella, what do you mean?""Please, Matthew. Why don't you stop acting like you're innocent? I'll wager the spoons got you a lot.""Spoons? What spoons?""Seems like it's been too long that you'd forgotten about it. I'm talking about the spoons you stole before you vanished.""You mean, the antique sp