Page 125 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"He'll survive."

"He'll destroy the house."

"That's Mrs. Fielding's problem."

"Lucien..."

"Arabella, I draw the line at international dog crime."

"That's very narrow-minded of you."

"That's very sensible of me."

"Sensible is boring."

"Boring is safe."

"Since when do we do safe?"

"Since you got pregnant."

"That's not fair."

"Life's not fair."

"You're being beastly."

"I'm being protective."

"Same thing sometimes."

"Different thing always."

Cordelia watched them argue with barely concealed amusement. "Should I pack for the dog or not?"

"Not," Lucien said firmly.

"Yes," Arabella countered.

"We'll compromise," Cordelia suggested. "I'll pack his things, and you can decide tomorrow."

"Diplomatic," Lucien observed.

"I'm learning from the best," Cordelia said, glancing at Arabella.

"Flattery will get you everywhere," Arabella told her.

"I'm counting on it."

***

The next morning brought more chaos than usual. Arabella's morning sickness was particularly violent, Thistle had somehow gotten into the travel trunks and redistributed their belongings throughout the house, and a second letter arrived that made Lucien go pale.

"What now?" Arabella asked, still looking green.

"It's from Cassandra."

"Of course it is."