Page 110 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"I'm always thinking."

"No, sometimes you're feeling. Like now."

"I'm thinking about feeling."

"That doesn't count."

Their quiet bickering was interrupted by Lady Agatha's sharp voice.

"Cordelia, stop daydreaming and pay attention."

They looked over to see Cordelia staring out the window while her mother lectured her about something. The girl looked miserable.

"We're inviting her to stay," Arabella said firmly.

"We're discussing it."

"We're inviting her. Tonight."

"Arabella..."

"She helped with Thistle. That makes her family."

"She's already family. She's my cousin."

"Our cousin. And she needs help."

"You can't save everyone."

"No, but I can save her."

"This is how we end up with a house full of people in need."

"This is how we end up with a house full of family."

The distinction hit him unexpectedly hard. Family. Not the cold, formal relationships he'd grown up with, but something warmer. Chaotic, indeed, but warm.

"Fine," he said. "But you're telling Aunt Agatha."

"We'll tell her together."

"She's going to be furious."

"Good. Her fury is entertaining."

"You're a very strange woman."

"That's romantic."

"Everything is romantic to you now."

"It's the baby. Apparently, pregnancy makes me sentimental."

"You were sentimental before."

"Now I'm extra sentimental."

"Heaven help us all."