Page 144 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"You can't protect us from everything."

"I can try."

"That's not realistic."

"Realism is overrated."

They were kissing when the second fire started.

The alarm bells rang just after two in the morning. This time, it was the east wing—empty but still dangerous.

"That's deliberate," Lucien said, pulling on clothes. "Someone's inside."

"I'm coming..."

"You're staying here."

"Lucien..."

"Arabella, please. You're pregnant. Stay safe."

"But..."

"Please."

The please, rare from him, made her pause. "Be careful."

"Always."

He was gone before she could argue further. Arabella paced their chambers, Thistle whining anxiously beside her.

"I know, boy. I hate waiting too."

Cordelia appeared, fully dressed and carrying her letter opener.

"You should be safe in your room," Arabella told her.

"You should be too, but here we are."

"Fair point."

"What do we do?"

"We wait."

"I hate waiting."

"I hate it as well."

They waited together, listening to shouts and running feet. The smell of smoke grew stronger, then gradually faded.

"They've got it controlled," Cordelia said with relief.

But Arabella was frowning. "This is too easy."

"Easy? There have been two fires!"

"Exactly. Two obvious fires. What if they're distractions?"