Page 50 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"Let them. We're married, Arabella. We're allowed to look at each other."

"The way you're looking at me has nothing to do with marriage and everything to do with what happened last night."

"And this morning," he reminded her, his voice dropping to that dangerous register that made her insides melt.

"Lucien..."

"I like when you say my name."

"You're trying to distract me."

"Is it working?"

"Yes, it truly is."

He grinned, a real smile that transformed his face completely. "Good."

That evening, as they dressed for dinner, separately, despite the new intimacy between them, Arabella found herself nervous. Would they return to the formal distance of before? Or had everything truly changed?

She entered the dining room to find he'd had the table reset. Instead of the vast expanse between them, two places were arranged at one end, close enough to touch, closer than ever.

"Better?" he asked, holding her chair.

"Much."

Dinner was different this time. The conversation flowed naturally, punctuated by laughter and long looks that promised things she was only beginning to understand. When his fingers brushed hers as he passed the salt, she felt the touch like flame.

"You're doing it again," she said.

"Doing what?"

"Looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you're remembering last night."

"I am remembering last night. In vivid detail. Would you like me to describe..."

"The footmen are right there!"

"They're well-trained. They won't listen."

But she could see Thomas, the youngest footman, turning pink at the ears.

"You're incorrigible," she whispered.

"You're blushing."

"I am not."

"You are. It starts at your chest and works its way up. I noticed last night when I..."

"Lucien!"

"Yes, darling?"

The endearment slipped out so naturally that they both froze. It was the first time either had used such a term, and it hung between them like a question.