Page 38 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

Arabella bit her lip to keep from laughing at Lucien's expression of long-suffering patience. "I shall handle it," she said.

"No, allow me," Lucien said, already moving toward the door. "I need to establish dominance."

"Over Cook or Thistle?"

"Both, ideally, though I'll settle for one out of two."

He left, Thistle trotting after him with the air of a dog who knew perfectly well he was in trouble but didn't particularly care. Arabella returned to her sorting, but her mind kept wandering to the way Lucien's eyes had darkened when she'd said she wasn't innocent.

A throat clearing made her turn. Morrison stood in the doorway, bearing his silver salver with an expression of deep disapproval.

"Letters have arrived, my lady."

The first few were expected; notes from neighbors welcoming the new Countess, invitations to tea that she suspected were more about gossip than hospitality. But the last letter bore no return direction, just her name in elegant, feminine script.

She opened it, and her blood chilled as she read:

My dear Lady Blackthorn,

How delightful to hear of your recent marriage to my former betrothed. I do hope you're enjoying Blackthorn Manor. I always found it rather gloomy myself, but then, I suppose it suits Lucien's temperament. I look forward to calling upon you soon so we might become better acquainted. After all, we have so much in common now.

Your devoted friend, Lady Cassandra Velott.

"Bad news, my lady?" Morrison asked, apparently reading her expression.

"I'm not sure yet," Arabella said carefully. "Do you know Lady Cassandra Velott?"

Morrison's expression became even more disapproving, if such a thing was possible. "I am... acquainted with her ladyship."

"And?"

"It's not my place to say, my lady."

"Morrison, I'm asking for your help. I know nothing about my husband's past relationships, and this woman claims to have been his betrothed."

The butler wrestled with propriety for a moment before speaking. "Lady Velott was... a frequent visitor some years ago. Before his lordship's time abroad."

"And?"

"She was not…...The staff found her demanding."

"Demanding."

"She once had a maid dismissed for serving tea at the wrong temperature."

"I see."

"And there was an incident with the roses."

"The roses?"

"She ordered the gardener to cut them all. She said they were vulgar. His lordship's mother's roses, my lady. Planted with her own hands."

Arabella felt a surge of protective anger. "And Lord Blackthorn allowed this?"

"He was... different then, my lady. Before the fire. More willing to be led."

"And now?"