Page 72 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"That was magnificent," Julian said, appearing at their elbow. "Absolutely magnificent. She'll never recover from this."

"I don't care about her," Lucien said, his eyes on Arabella. "Are you all right?"

"I'm perfect," she said, and meant it.

The final dance was a waltz, slow and romantic. They moved together as if they'd been dancing for years, not days. Around them, other couples joined, but Arabella barely noticed.

"Thank you," Lucien said softly.

"For what?"

"For defending me. For standing beside me. For diving into that lake."

"I fear I shall never hear the end of it, shall I?"

"Never." He spun her, then pulled her closer than was strictly proper. "It's my favourite story."

"Even with all the chaos that followed?"

"Especially with the chaos. My life was orderly before you. But cold and empty."

"And now?"

"Now I have a wife who argues with me, a dog who destroys my house, and a life that's messier than I ever imagined."

"Regrets?"

"Never." He leaned close enough that his breath stirred her hair. "I love you, Arabella."

She stumbled, only his arms keeping her upright. "What?"

"I love you. I should have said it before, but I'm saying it now. In front of everyone, so there's no doubt."

"Lucien..."

"You don't have to say it back. I just needed you to know."

The music ended, but they stood there, holding each other while the ballroom erupted in applause. Not polite, measured applause, but genuine appreciation for what they'd witnessed—not just a dance, but a declaration.

"I love you too," Arabella said, the words coming easier than she'd expected. "I think I have since you pulled me from that lake."

"You were unconscious for part of that."

"The conscious parts were very romantic."

He kissed her then, right there in the middle of the ballroom, in front of society and scandal and everything they'd hidden from for so long. It wasn't proper, it wasn't appropriate, but it was absolutely perfect.

When they finally parted, the applause had turned to cheers. Even Lady Desclaire looked grudgingly approving.

"Can we leave now?" Lucien asked.

"Heavens, yes."

They made their escape, pausing only to thank their hostess and collect their things. Cassandra was nowhere to be seen, having apparently fled after her humiliation.

"That was the most entertaining ball I've attended in years," Julian said as they waited for their carriage. "You two should go out more often."

"Never again," Lucien said firmly.