Page 39 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"Now he leads himself, my lady. Or did, until you arrived."

Before Arabella could ask what that meant, Lucien returned, looking triumphant.

"Success," he announced as the butler was leaving. "I've negotiated a treaty. Thistle gets kitchen scraps after dinner in exchange for staying out during cooking times."

"And Cook agreed to this?"

"She did after Thistle demonstrated his ability to open the pantry door. I think she's secretly impressed."

"Or terrified."

Just then he noticed the letter in her hand. "More congratulations on our blessed union?"

"Not exactly." She handed him the letter, watching his face carefully as he read.

His expression went from casual interest to stone in seconds. "When did this arrive?"

"Just now."

"She has no right..." He stopped, crumpling the letter in his fist. "I'll write to her immediately and make it clear she's not welcome."

"Why was she your betrothed?"

The question seemed to surprise him. "That was years ago. Before Matilda."

"Two betrothals?"

"Cassandra was first. A childhood nonsense. I ended it when I met Matilda."

"And she didn't take it well?"

"She... no. She didn't." He ran a hand through his hair, disturbing its careful arrangement. "She made things difficult."

"Difficult how?"

"Does it matter? It's in the past."

"Apparently not, if she's writing letters and planning to visit."

"She won't visit. I'll make sure of it."

"Or," Arabella said slowly, "we could invite her."

"Have you lost your mind?"

"Possibly. But think about it. She's clearly trying to unsettle us. If we invite her on our terms, we control the situation."

"You don't know Cassandra. Control is her specialty."

"Then it's time someone challenged that specialty." Arabella lifted her chin. "I'm your wife now. She's the past. Let her come and see that."

He stared at her for a long moment. "You're either very brave or very foolish."

"You said that about me once before."

"I'm beginning to think it's both." He moved closer, close enough that she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. "Cassandra is not kind, Arabella. She will look for weaknesses and exploit them."

"What weaknesses?"