Page 152 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"That's not enough."

"It has to be."

"Why?"

"Because more violence won't bring Matilda back."

"But it would feel good."

"Temporarily."

"Sometimes temporarily is enough."

"No," Arabella said gently. "It never is."

Margaret slumped suddenly, all fight leaving her. "I just... I missed my chance. To know her properly. To be sisters."

"I'm sorry."

"Are you?"

"Yes. I have a sister of sorts now—Cordelia. I can't imagine losing her."

"Sister of sorts?"

"My husband's cousin. We've taken her in."

"Collected her?"

"Rescued her."

"From what?"

"From a mother who saw her as currency."

"Like Matilda's parents saw her."

"Exactly."

"And you just... took her?"

"We gave her choices."

"It must be nice. Having choices."

"You have choices too."

"Do I?"

"Stay for breakfast," Arabella said impulsively. "Tell us about Matilda. The real Matilda, not the society version."

"Why would you want to hear that?"

"Because she was part of Lucien's life. That makes her part of our history."

"Even though she wanted to leave him?"

"Especially because of that. It means we understand each other."