Page 178 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"Then no marriage."

"That's unfair!"

"That's the challenge."

"Lucien," Arabella protested.

"Fine. Train him to steal only from specific people."

"Who?"

"People I don't like."

"That's everyone!"

"Not everyone. I like... some people."

"Name three."

"Arabella, Matilda, and... Morrison."

"That's your wife, daughter, and butler!"

"Still people!"

"Barely!"

"I like Cordelia too," Lucien added grudgingly.

"Four whole people. Amazing."

"And Thistle."

"The dog doesn't count!"

"He counts more than most people."

"That's disturbing."

"That's accurate."

"Fine," James said, standing. "I'll train Thistle. Give me a month."

"A week."

"Two weeks."

"Ten days."

"Deal."

They shook on it, and Arabella had the distinct feeling she'd just witnessed something momentous.

"Did you just arrange my marriage around dog training?" Cordelia asked.

"Yes," Lucien and James said together.

"Men are impossible."