Page 120 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"That's impractical."

"That's love."

A knock interrupted them. "My lord?" Morrison's voice, carefully neutral.

"What is it?"

"Miss Cordelia is requesting Lady Blackthorn's presence. She seems... distressed."

Arabella was already reaching for her wrapper. "What's wrong?"

"A letter arrived, my lady. From Lady Agatha."

"Of course it did." Lucien grabbed his own robe. "We'll be right down."

They found Cordelia in the small sitting room, tears streaming down her face.

"What did she say?" Arabella demanded, moving to comfort the girl.

"She's... she's disowned me. Cut me off completely. She says I'm dead to her."

"Good riddance," Lucien said coldly.

"But she's my mother!"

"No," Arabella said firmly. "Mothers love their children. She saw you as property. There's a difference."

"But what if she's right? What if I disappoint you? What if I'm not worth saving?"

"Cordelia," Lucien said, moving to kneel before his cousin. "You're already worth saving. You don't have to earn it."

"But..."

"No buts. You're family. Our family. And we don't abandon family."

"Even if they steal things?" she asked with a watery smile.

"That's practically a requirement. Ask Thistle."

As if summoned, the dog appeared, carrying what looked like Lady Agatha's letter. He'd apparently stolen it from Cordelia and was now returning it with an air of great pride.

"See?" Arabella said. "Even Thistle knows that letter is rubbish."

"Literally, in his case," Lucien observed as Thistle began methodically shredding the paper.

"Should we stop him?" Cordelia asked.

"Absolutely not. He's providing a valuable service."

They watched the dog destroy Lady Agatha's cruel words, and Cordelia's tears slowly turned to laughter.

"I'm free," she said wonderingly. "I'm actually free."

"You are," Arabella confirmed. "Free to make your own choices, your own mistakes, your own happiness."

"I don't know how."

"That's the best part. You get to learn."