Page 90 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"Even better! Though I suspect you'd been falling in love from the moment you met."

"Falling is one word for it," Lucien said dryly.

"Diving," Arabella corrected automatically.

"You two are delightful," Lady Potts declared. "My husband said you were standoffish, Lord Blackthorn, but you're not at all."

"I'm extremely standoffish," Lucien protested.

"No, you're protective. There's a difference."

"Why does everyone keep saying that?"

"Because it's true. You protect what you love. Speaking of which, that was magnificent, what you said to Lady Velott."

"Which part?" Arabella asked.

"All of it, but especially the bit about you choosing to see Lord Blackthorn as a man, not a beast. Half the ladies there were in tears."

"Happy tears?" Lucien asked suspiciously.

"The happiest. We do so love a romance, especially one involving reformed rakes."

"I wasn't a rake."

"No, you were something better. You were broken."

Lucien stiffened. "I beg your pardon?"

"Oh, don't take offence. We're all broken in some way. But you were visibly broken, which made your healing visible too. And that gives the rest of us hope."

"Hope for what?"

"That our own broken pieces might mend. That love really can conquer. That beauty isn't about perfection."

She said it simply, without drama, but Arabella saw Lucien's throat work as he swallowed hard.

"That's... very kind," he managed.

"It's very true. Now, tell me about this criminal dog. I heard he reorganised Mrs. Fielding's linen closet?"

They spent the next hour regaling Lady Potts with Thistle's exploits, each story more outrageous than the last. She laughed until she cried, declared them the most entertaining couple in the county, and insisted they come to dinner.

"With the dog?" Lucien asked, somewhat desperately.

"Especially with the dog. My children will adore him."

As they prepared to leave, Lady Potts pulled Arabella aside.

"My dear, a word of advice?"

"Yes?"

"Don't let society change you. Either of you. You're perfect exactly as you are—chaotic dog, reformed beast, and brave lady who falls into lakes."

"Dived," Lucien called from the doorway.

"See?" Lady Potts smiled. "Perfect."