Page 92 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"We could run," Lucien suggested. "Take Thistle and disappear into the night."

"It's four in the afternoon."

"Into the late afternoon, then."

"We can't run from your family."

"I've been doing it successfully for years."

"Well, now you have me. We'll face them together."

"You don't know what you're saying."

"I faced Cassandra."

"Cassandra is a gentle lamb compared to Aunt Agatha."

"Then we'd better get this over with."

They found Lady Agatha holding court in the blue drawing room, her three daughters arranged around her. She was a formidable woman with iron-gray hair and an expression that suggested she disapproved of everything.

"Lucien," she said, making his name sound like an accusation.

"Aunt Agatha."

"You got married."

"Yes."

"Without inviting family."

"It was a small ceremony."

"It was a rushed ceremony. Four days, I heard."

"Five," Arabella corrected, stepping forward. "You must be Lady Agatha. I'm Arabella."

The older woman's gaze swept over her like a cold wind. "You're the girl from the lake."

"I'm the woman from the lake, indeed."

"The one with the dog."

"Guilty."

"Where is this creature?"

"Probably in the kitchen, destroying something."

"You allow destruction?"

"I encourage it. Keeps life interesting."

Lady Agatha's eyes narrowed. "You're not what I expected."

"What did you expect?"

"Someone more... apologetic."