Page 147 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

He was interrupted by Thistle, who had apparently escaped Cordelia and launched himself at Harrington's legs with all the fury of a small, hairy guardian angel.

Harrington stumbled, cursing. Arabella seized the moment, swinging the poker with more force than accuracy. She missed his head but caught his shoulder, sending him spinning.

"You little..."

Whatever insult he planned was cut off by Julian appearing in the doorway, pistol drawn.

"Now, now," Julian said pleasantly. "Language. There are ladies present."

"Where did you come from?"

"I've been following you since you entered. Wanted to see what you'd do."

"And you let him threaten Arabella?" Lucien's voice from behind Julian was deadly.

"She seemed to have it handled. Poker, dog, general violence. Very impressive."

"I'm going to kill you," Lucien told Julian conversationally.

"After we deal with him?" Julian suggested, gesturing at Harrington.

"Fine. But then you're dead."

"Fair enough."

Harrington tried to run, but Thistle was still attached to his leg, and the combined weight of dog and bad decisions sent him crashing to the floor.

"Good boy," everyone said simultaneously.

"I've created monsters," Lucien muttered, but he was looking at Arabella with a mixture of pride and terror.

"Are you hurt?" he demanded, crossing to her.

"I'm fine."

"You confronted a madman with a poker."

"And Thistle."

"That's not better!"

"It worked."

"That's not the point!"

"What is the point?"

"The point is you could have been hurt!"

"But I wasn't."

"But you could have been!"

"But I wasn't!"

"Stop saying that!"

"Stop yelling!"