Page 142 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"You represent family. We all protect family."

It was true that the entire household had rallied. Mrs. Fielding organized the maids into a watch system, Cookie kept enormous pots of water ready "just in case," and even Cordelia had taken to carrying a rather sharp letter opener.

"Where did you get that?" Arabella asked.

"Your desk."

"That's theft."

"That's borrowing for protective purposes."

"Thistle's influence?"

"Common sense. If someone's threatening you, I want to be armed."

"With a letter opener?"

"It's very sharp. I've been practising."

Julian, meanwhile, had been investigating with the efficiency of someone who'd done this before.

"What exactly did you do before becoming Lucien's conscience?" Arabella asked him.

"Various things."

"Illegal things?"

"Interesting things."

"Julian."

"Some light espionage, perhaps. Nothing treasonous."

"Light espionage?"

"Very light. Mostly just gossip with international implications."

"That's not light!"

"It's lighter than heavy espionage."

"What's heavy espionage?"

"The kind that gets you shot."

"Julian!"

"What? I'm retired now. Mostly."

"Mostly?"

"Well, this situation requires certain skills..."

"What have you found?"

"Harrington didn't work alone. Someone here helped with the stable fire."

"Who?"