Page 45 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"But you're not?"

"Strangely, no." He traced her face with one finger. "Though I suspect that will come later, when I remember all the reasons this was a terrible idea."

"Such optimism."

"I'm trying to be realistic. We agreed to separate lives, and now..."

"Now we're naked in your bed."

"Precisely. It complicates things."

"Everything about us has been complicated from the start."

"True." He kissed her, morning-lazy and sweet. "We should probably get up."

"Probably."

Neither moved.

"The household will talk."

"They're already talking."

"Good point." He pulled her closer. "Five more minutes?"

"Five more minutes."

An hour later, they finally emerged, trying to look as though they hadn't just thoroughly debauched each other. The attempt was somewhat undermined by Arabella wearing one of Lucien's dressing gowns, her own clothes being somewhere in the chaos of his chambers.

"I need to get to my chambers," she said, peering down the hallway.

"The staff has seen worse."

"From your ancestors, maybe. Not from us."

"We're married, Arabella. This is actually what married people do."

"Novel concept."

They made it halfway to the east wing before encountering Mrs. Fielding, who took one look at them and developed a sudden fascination with her household keys.

"Good morning, my lord, my lady. Breakfast is served in the morning room."

"Thank you, Mrs. Fielding," Lucien said with remarkable composure. "We'll be down shortly."

"Of course, my lord. And may I say, the storm damage has been fully addressed. No permanent harm done."

"Excellent."

She bustled away, and Arabella could have sworn she was humming.

"Did your housekeeper just give us her approval?" Arabella asked.

"I believe she did. Disturbing, isn't it?"

"Everything about this situation is disturbing."

"Including last night?"