Page 115 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"You saved your reputation. Mary was just collateral damage."

Before Lady Agatha could respond, the Duchess appeared, looking serene and slightly amused.

"Such drama so early in the morning. Lady Agatha, surely you're pleased that dear Cordelia will have such illustrious sponsors for her season?"

"This is kidnapping," Lady Agatha said through gritted teeth.

"This is opportunity," the Duchess corrected. "Something you denied your other daughters. How fortunate that Lord and Lady Blackthorn are so generous."

"Generous?"

"Oh yes. Taking in a relation, sponsoring her season, providing a dowry..."

"Dowry?" Cordelia squeaked.

"Of course," Arabella said smoothly. "You can't have a proper season without a proper dowry."

"I won't take charity."

"It's not charity," Lucien said. "It's family supporting family."

"But..."

"No arguments. Arabella has decided, and I've learned not to fight her decisions."

"That's because my decisions are excellent," Arabella said.

"That's because your decisions are unstoppable."

"Same thing."

"Different thing, but equally true."

Lady Agatha made an angry sound. "This is ridiculous. Cordelia, I forbid..."

"Forbid all you like," the Duchess interrupted. "But perhaps remember that I know quite a lot about your family's... difficulties. That unfortunate incident with your husband's gambling debts, for instance."

"That was years ago."

"But still so interesting. Especially the part about selling your daughter Mary to pay them off."

"I didn't sell her!"

"No? A hasty marriage to a wealthy merchant who coincidentally paid off the exact amount owed? How fortuitous."

Lady Agatha looked between them all—the Duchess serene and deadly, Lucien protective and immovable, Arabella fierce despite her pallor, and Cordelia hopeful for the first time in years.

"Fine," she spat. "Take her. But when she ruins you with scandal..."

"The only scandal," Lucien said, "is how you've treated your daughters."

They left Lady Agatha sputtering on the steps, the Duchess waving cheerfully as their carriage pulled away.

"Is she really going to let me go?" Cordelia asked, still disbelieving.

"She doesn't have a choice," Arabella assured her. "The Duchess has too much information, and we have too much influence."

"But what if she comes after me?"