Page 108 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"I'll swoon dramatically into your arms."

"This isn't funny."

"It's a little funny."

"You could have fallen from your horse."

"But I didn't."

"You could have hurt yourself. Or the baby."

The word hung between them, still new, still impossible.

"The baby," she repeated softly. "We're having a baby."

"We are."

"You're going to be a father."

"Terrifying thought."

"You'll be wonderful."

"I'll be overprotective and paranoid."

"So, normal for you."

"This isn't normal. None of this is normal."

"No," she agreed. "It's better."

They dressed for dinner, Arabella in a soft blue gown that made her skin glow, Lucien in his usual black, and made their way downstairs. The dining room was full, conversation flowing, but it stopped when they entered.

"Lady Blackthorn!" The Duchess rose. "How wonderful to see you recovered."

"Thank you, Your Grace. I apologise for the drama this morning."

"Nonsense. Drama makes house gatherings interesting. Besides, you put Lady Velott in her place quite brilliantly."

"Where is Lady Velott?" someone asked.

"Gone," the Duchess said cheerfully. "Urgent business elsewhere."

"And Mr. Harrington?"

"Also gone. Apparently, his creditors discovered his location."

"How unfortunate," Arabella said innocently.

"Yes. Quite mysterious how they found him."

"These things happen."

"Indeed they do."

Dinner was pleasant, with carefully neutral conversation and no mention of the morning's events. But Lucien noticed Arabella pushing food around her plate more than eating, and her color was still pale.

"You should rest," he murmured.