Page 113 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"The only disappointment," Lucien said coldly, "would be leaving her here."

They left her sputtering and went to find Cordelia, who was pacing anxiously in her room.

"Well?" she asked.

"Pack your things," Arabella said. "You're coming home with us."

The girl burst into tears and threw herself at Arabella, who caught her, laughing.

"None of that. We're family now. Family doesn't cry."

"Family cries all the time," Lucien corrected. "But happy tears are acceptable."

"These are definitely happy tears," Cordelia managed.

Later, in their own chambers, as they prepared for bed, Lucien watched Arabella brush her hair and felt his chest tight with emotion.

"You're staring again," she observed.

"I'm appreciating."

"What?"

"You. This. Everything."

She set down the brush and came to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Everything is rather a lot."

"A wife, a baby, a criminal dog, and now a rescued cousin."

"Don't forget the household staff who've all been corrupted by Thistle."

"How could I forget?"

"It's quite a collection."

"It's quite a family."

She looked up at him, eyes bright. "Family. I like that."

"Even though it's chaos?"

"Especially because it's chaos. Organised families are boring."

"Ours will never be boring."

"Good."

He kissed her then, deep and thorough, his hands sliding through her hair. She melted against him, and he forgot about everything except the taste of her, the feel of her, the miracle of her in his arms.

"Bed?" she suggested breathlessly.

"Bed," he agreed.

They made love slowly, carefully, aware of the new life growing between them. Afterward, they lay tangled together, Arabella's head on his chest, his hand on her still-flat stomach.

"Are you really happy about the baby?" she asked.

"Terrified but happy."