Page 161 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"Harrington?" Lucien's voice had gone dangerously quiet. "The man who tried to burn down our house had a servant in our household?"

"Former servant, my Lord. Left his employment months before the... incident."

"And we hired him?"

"The references were impeccable."

"Morrison, the man tried to kill us."

"The references were written before that, my Lord and after the incident nobody quite thought of the connection."

"That's not better!"

"It's chronologically accurate."

"Morrison..."

"I'll investigate immediately, my lord."

Morrison departed with more haste than usual, leaving them all uneasy.

"It's probably nothing," Arabella said, though she didn't sound convinced.

"Two footmen missing, one with connections to Harrington?"

"Former connections."

"Still connections."

"You're being paranoid."

"I'm being protective."

"Same thing with you."

"Different..."

The argument was interrupted by Mrs. Fielding bursting in, her usual composure completely shattered.

"Fire!" she gasped. "The west wing!"

Lucien was moving before she'd finished speaking, Arabella struggling to follow with her changed center of gravity.

"No," he said, turning back. "You stay here."

"Lucien..."

"You're eight months pregnant. You stay here with Cordelia. That's not a request."

The authority in his voice would normally have sparked argument, but the fear in his eyes stopped her.

"Be careful," she said instead.

"Always."

He was gone, following the sounds of shouting and the smell of smoke that was already creeping through the house. Arabella stood frozen for a moment, then her instincts kicked in.

"Cordelia, get everyone out. Start with the servants' quarters."