Page 59 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"What happened?"

"The young lord ended the betrothal. Very dramatic. She threw a vase, a very valuable one. It missed him but destroyed a portrait of the third Earl."

"The one who cheated at cards?"

"Oui. Perhaps it was meant to happen." Madame Phillipe began packing up her supplies. "The dress will be ready in three days. The underthings too."

"Underthings?"

"Of course! You cannot wear such a gown with ordinary chemise. I will create something special. For after the ball, non?" She winked outrageously.

Arabella blushed furiously. "That's not necessary."

"It is entirely necessary. Trust me my Lady. I have been dressing ladies for thirty years. I know what makes a marriage happy."

After the modiste left, Arabella found Lucien in his study, glaring at what appeared to be dance instructions.

"What are you doing?"

"Remembering how to waltz. It's been years."

"You don't have to dance if you don't want to."

"If we're going to this infernal ball, we're going to do it properly. That means I dance with my wife."

"Just one dance would be sufficient."

"Three."

"Three?"

"The opening, to show we're united. The supper dance, so we can eat together. And the final waltz."

"That's very specific."

"I've been making plans." He showed her a piece of paper covered in notes. "I've also arranged for Julian to attend. He's good at managing Cassandra."

"Managing her how?"

"Distraction, mostly. He'll flirt outrageously, which she won't be able to resist."

"You've put a lot of thought into this."

"You wanted to face society. I'm making sure we do it on our terms."

"Our terms?"

"We arrive exactly fifteen minutes after the stated time; fashionable but not insultingly late. We stay for exactly two hours. We dance, we mingle briefly, we leave before anything dramatic can happen."

"You really have thought of everything."

"I told you—I don't like surprises."

"You didn't plan for me."

"No," he agreed, pulling her onto his lap. "You were the ultimate surprise. But I'm adapting."

"Is that what we're calling it?"