Page 136 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"The truth. Matilda was unhappy but didn't deserve to die. The fire was an accident. Your guilt was misplaced."

"And Cassandra?"

"She is pitiful."

"I beg your pardon!" Cassandra screeched.

"You're being blackmailed by a third-rate schemer because you can't let go of a man who never loved you. That's the definition of pitiful."

"How dare you?"

"I dare because I can. Because I have what you want and you'll never get it."

"You have nothing!"

"I have Lucien. His love, his child, his future. You have... what? Debts to a blackmailer and empty schemes?"

Cassandra launched herself at Arabella with a shriek, but Julian caught her easily. Cordelia who was watching silently managed to throw herself in front of Arabella to protect her as well.

"Now, now," he said pleasantly. "Can't have you attacking a pregnant woman. Very bad form."

"I'll destroy you," Cassandra snarled at Arabella. "Both of you."

"You can try," Arabella said calmly. "But you'll fail. You always do."

"This isn't over!"

"Yes," Lucien said quietly, "it is. You have no more power over me. The guilt is gone, the truth is known, and I've moved on. You should too."

"I'll never..."

"You will. Because if you don't, I'll ensure everyone knows what you did. Accidentally or not, you caused Matilda's death and hid it. That's enough to ruin you completely."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

They stared at each other for a long moment, then Cassandra deflated.

"I loved you," she said quietly.

"No. You loved the idea of me. There's a difference."

"I could have made you happy."

"No. You'd have made us both miserable. Arabella makes me happy."

"The girl who fell in a lake?"

"The woman who dived in to save what she loved," he corrected. "Something you'd never understand."

"Get out," Harrington said suddenly. "All of you."

"This isn't your house," Julian pointed out.

"I've rented it."

"With what money?"