Page 116 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"Then she'll meet Thistle," Lucien said dryly. "He doesn't take kindly to threats to family."

"I'm family?"

"You defended him when everyone else called him a criminal. That makes you family in his eyes."

"And yours?"

"You're my cousin. You were always family. Now you're just family we actually like."

Cordelia burst into tears again, and Arabella pulled her close, shooting Lucien a look that said 'be nicer.'

"Happy tears," Cordelia managed. "I promise, happy tears."

"Good. Because if you're sad, I'll have to turn this carriage around and push your mother into the Duchess's ornamental pond."

"The one with the carp?"

"The very same."

"That would be wonderful to see."

The journey took several hours, with two stops for Arabella to be violently ill. The second time, Cordelia stayed with her while Lucien paced anxiously beside the carriage.

"This is normal," Cordelia assured him. "My sister was sick for months."

"Months?"

"Well, weeks. But it felt like months."

"That's not reassuring."

"It's realistic."

"I prefer optimistic lies."

"She'll be fine," Cordelia said firmly. "Women have been having babies since the beginning of time."

"Not my woman. Not my baby."

"Your woman is tougher than you think."

"My woman dived into a lake to save a dog. I'm well aware she's tough. That doesn't mean I won't worry."

"Good. Worrying means you care."

"I do nothing but care. It's exhausting."

"But worth it?"

He looked at Arabella, pale but determined, arguing with the coachman about continuing despite her illness.

"Worth everything," he said quietly.

They reached Blackthorn Manor as the sun was setting, painting the stone walls gold. The entire household had assembled to welcome them back, and Thistle rushed out, having apparently picked the lock on whatever door they'd used to contain him.

"How does he do that?" Lucien muttered.

"Natural talent," Arabella said.