Page 149 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"I love you," Lucien said suddenly.

"I love you too."

"You terrify me."

"You married me."

They both looked at the dog, who was being fed an entire ham by Cookie as reward for his heroics.

"We've created a monster," Lucien observed.

"We've created a hero."

"A criminal hero."

"The best kind."

They were interrupted by Morrison appearing with yet another crisis.

"My Lord, we have a situation."

"Another fire?" Lucien asked wearily.

"No, my Lord. A visitor."

"At dawn? Who?"

"She says she's Matilda's sister."

The room went silent.

"Matilda didn't have a sister," Lucien said slowly.

"Apparently she did, my Lord. A half-sister. From her father's first marriage."

"And she's here now?"

"Yes, my Lord. With documents. And a rather large grievance."

"Of course she is," Arabella sighed. "Because why should our lives be simple?"

"Show her to the morning room," Lucien told Morrison. "We'll be down shortly."

After Morrison left, they looked at each other.

"So much for boring," Arabella observed.

"So much for over."

"Together?"

"Always together."

"Even for mysterious sisters?"

"Especially for mysterious sisters."

"This is exhausting."