Page 93 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"For what?"

"For trapping my nephew in marriage."

"Ah." Arabella smiled sweetly. "I didn't trap him. He trapped me. Quite publicly. With witnesses."

"He rescued you."

"And then proposed. Very trapping behaviour."

"You could have refused."

"I could have. But have you seen your nephew? He's quite attractive when he's not brooding."

One of the daughters, the vapid one, Arabella guessed, giggled. Lady Agatha silenced her with a look.

"You're very bold."

"I'm very married. To your nephew, which makes us family."

"Family," Lady Agatha repeated as if the word tasted bad.

"Yes. Would you like tea? Or would you prefer to continue interrogating me without refreshments?"

"I would like..."

She was interrupted by Thistle, who came into the room carrying what appeared to be Lady Agatha's very expensive reticule.

"That's mine!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, he's welcoming you to the family," Arabella said calmly. "It's how he shows affection."

"It's theft!"

"It's redistribution of property. Very different thing."

Thistle, apparently deciding the reticule wasn't interesting enough, dropped it and moved on to investigate the daughters. The vindictive one shrieked. The vicious one tried to kick him. The vapid one, surprisingly, knelt down and began petting him.

"He's lovely," she said. "What's his name?"

"Thistle."

"Like the plant?"

"Exactly like the plant. Prickly but ultimately beneficial."

"I like him."

"Cordelia!" Lady Agatha snapped. "Don't encourage it."

"But Mother, he's sweet."

"He's a thief."

"He's enthusiastic," Lucien corrected, finally entering the conversation. "And he's family."

"A dog is not family."

"This one is. He's the reason I met Arabella. That makes him the most important family member we have."