Page 160 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"Or the best kind?" Cordelia suggested hopefully.

"No," they said in unison.

Cordelia sighed dramatically. "You're impossible."

"We're protective," Arabella corrected.

"Same thing."

"Different thing. But equally restrictive."

"I'm old enough!"

"And living under our roof," Lucien reminded her.

"By your invitation!"

"Which can be rescinded."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

They had a brief staring contest, which Cordelia lost when Thistle chose that moment to deposit the baby bootee at her feet, apparently picking sides.

"Traitor," she told the dog.

"Smart dog," Lucien countered.

"Criminal dog," Morrison said from the doorway, having arrived with his usual impeccable timing. "He's stolen Cook's best ladle."

"Again?" Arabella asked.

"Different ladle, my Lady. He appears to be collecting them."

"Why would he collect ladles?"

"I've given up trying to understand his motivations, my Lady."

"Fair enough."

"Was there something else, Morrison?" Lucien asked, noting the butler's unusual hesitation.

"Two of the footmen didn't report for duty this morning, my Lord."

"Which ones?"

"Thomas and the new man, Porter."

"Porter's only been here a month," Arabella said, frowning.

"Five weeks, my lady. Came with excellent references."

"From?"

"Lord Harrington's household, actually."

The room went silent.