Page 60 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"Would you prefer 'surrendering'?"

"Surrendering implies defeat."

"Or wisdom in knowing when you're outmatched."

"Am I? Outmatching you?"

"Completely." He kissed her, slow and thorough. "I never stood a chance."

"From the moment I fell into the lake?"

"Dived," he corrected automatically, then smiled. "Yes. From that moment."

A knock interrupted them. Morrison entered with his usual gravity.

"My lord, Mr. Ashford has arrived."

Julian sauntered in, looking immaculate despite having ridden from London. "Lucien! And the lovely Lady Blackthorn. How delightful to see you both looking so... married."

"What does that mean?" Lucien asked suspiciously.

"It means you're both glowing with matrimonial bliss. It's quite nauseating, actually." But Julian was smiling as he said it. "I hear we're attending the Desclaire ball?"

"Against my better judgment, yes."

"Brilliant. I haven't had a good scandal in weeks." Julian accepted the brandy Morrison offered. "So, what's our battle plan?"

"Battle plan?" Arabella asked.

"My dear lady, any event with Cassandra Velott requires military-level strategy. She's probably been planning this since she heard of your marriage."

"Planning what?"

"Your humiliation, of course. It's her specialty."

"Julian," Lucien warned.

"What? She should know what she's walking into. Cassandra will have allies, carefully placed rumours, and at least three contingency plans for social destruction."

"You're trying to scare me," Arabella said.

"I'm trying to prepare you. There's a difference." Julian's expression grew serious. "Cassandra doesn't like to lose, and in her mind, your marriage is her loss."

"But she ended things with Lucien years ago."

"No, I ended things," Lucien corrected. "Rather publicly."

"After the vase incident?"

Julian brightened. "You know about that? Brilliant! Did you know she also set fire to his letters?"

"Julian..."

"In the rose garden. Very dramatic. The gardener had to put her out with a watering can."

"She set herself on fire?" Arabella asked, trying not to laugh.

"Just her skirts. Slightly. It was more smoke than flame, really."