Page 95 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"Exactly like that."

"You can't rescue everyone, Arabella."

"No, but I can try."

"This is how we ended up with Thistle."

"And look how well that worked out."

They both looked at Thistle, who had somehow procured a cushion from somewhere and was methodically destroying it.

"Perfectly," Lucien said dryly.

"Exactly," Arabella agreed, and kissed him.

Chapter 16

"If you're going to be sick again, perhaps you should stay in bed."

Lucien's suggestion, delivered while watching Arabella turn green at the thought of breakfast, was met with a glare that could have melted steel. They were in their chambers at the Duchess of Marlborough's sprawling estate where they'd arrived the day before for what promised to be a week of socializing, sport, and, if Arabella's stomach would cooperate, spectacular food.

"I'm not sick," she insisted, then promptly covered her mouth and fled to the dressing room.

Lucien followed, finding her looking thoroughly miserable. It was the third morning this week she'd been ill, though she'd tried to hide it.

"Perhaps we should call for a physician," he suggested.

"It's just travel sickness."

"We arrived yesterday."

"Delayed travel sickness."

"Arabella..."

She straightened, accepting the damp cloth he offered. "I'm fine. Truly. It's probably just nerves about this week."

"Since when do you have nerves? You faced down Cassandra without flinching."

"That was different. That was one evening. This is a full week of society, with activities and expectations and..." She paused, looking green again.

"Not feeling well still?"

"Stop being so calm about this."

"Would you prefer I panic?"

"A little concern would be nice."

"I'm extremely concerned. My wife has been ill every morning for the last few days, refuses to see a physician, and insists on attending a house gathering where she'll be expected to ride, dance, and play croquet."

"I can do all those things."

"You can barely look at breakfast."

As if to prove him wrong, she straightened, splashed water on her face, and marched back into the bedroom with determination.

"See? Perfectly well."