Page 111 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

After dinner, they cornered Cordelia in the music room where she was hiding from her mother.

"Cordelia," Arabella said gently. "We'd like to talk to you."

"Have I done something wrong?"

"No. We want to invite you to stay with us."

"Stay? At Blackthorn Manor?"

"For as long as you like."

"But Mother..."

"We'll handle your mother," Lucien said.

"She won't allow it."

"She will if the alternative is scandal."

"What scandal?"

"The one where we publicly discuss what happened to your sister Mary."

Cordelia went white.

"I didn't mean….I shouldn't have..."

"You should have," Arabella said firmly. "And someone should have helped Mary."

"No one could. Mother had already arranged everything."

"Well, she hasn't arranged anything for you yet. And we're offering an alternative."

"Why?"

"Because you deserve better than being sold to save someone's estate."

Cordelia's eyes filled with tears. "You'd really take me in?"

"We'd really make you family."

"I don't know what to say."

"Say yes," Lucien suggested. "It'll annoy your mother tremendously."

"That's not a good reason."

"It's an excellent reason. But there are others. You'll have a season in London, meet people your mother doesn't control, and make your own choices."

"My own choices," Cordelia repeated, as if the words were foreign.

"Novel concept, I know," Arabella said. "But you might enjoy it."

"When?"

"We'll leave tomorrow. You can follow when you're ready."

"Tomorrow? But the house gathering..."