Page 61 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"You're making that up."

"Ask Mrs. Fielding. She was there."

"Can we focus?" Lucien interrupted. "The ball is in four days."

"Right." Julian set down his glass. "Here's what we do. I'll arrive early, gauge the room, identify Cassandra's allies. You two arrive exactly on time..."

"Fifteen minutes late," Lucien corrected.

"That's my boy, learning society's ways. You make an entrance, but not too grand. Confident but not arrogant. Arabella, you'll need..."

"Madame Phillipe is creating something."

"Perfect. She dressed my mother for years. Knows exactly how to make a statement without saying a word." Julian began pacing. "You'll need to be prepared for comments about the speed of your marriage."

"We were compromised. It's not exactly a secret."

"No, but Cassandra will have embellished. The story she's spreading is quite colourful."

"What story?" Lucien's voice had gone dangerous.

"Oh, the usual. Secret lovers, staged rescue, trapped into marriage. Very Gothic novel."

"That's ridiculous," Arabella protested.

"Of course it is. But scandal doesn't require truth, just imagination." Julian studied them both. "Though I must say, the two of you present a most convincing picture of being desperately in love. That will serve admirably."

"We're not..." Arabella began, then stopped, unsure how to finish.

"Not desperately in love?" Julian's eyebrow rose. "My dear lady, Lucien hasn't taken his eyes off you since I arrived, and you're sitting in his lap in the middle of the afternoon. If that's not desperate love, it's a very good imitation."

Arabella realized she was indeed still in Lucien's lap and hastily stood. "We're just... adjusting."

"Is that what we're calling it?" Julian grinned. "How modern."

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?" Lucien growled.

"Not at all. I've cleared my schedule to help with your social resurrection. It's my gift to you both."

"We didn't ask for a gift."

"Which makes it all the more precious." Julian helped himself to more brandy. "Now, let's discuss dancing. Lucien, when did you last waltz?"

"Before Matilda died."

The words fell like stones into the conversation. Julian's smile faded.

"Ah. Well. That's... considerably longer than ideal."

"I can waltz," Lucien said stiffly.

"Can you waltz without looking like you're being tortured?"

"Doubtful."

"Then we practice." Julian moved the furniture to clear a space. "Arabella, if you would?"

"Now?" she asked.