Page 86 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

Lord Potts, when he was shown in, looked remarkably contrite for a man who'd been the victim of fountain violence. He was a portly gentleman with thinning hair and a nervous manner that suggested he'd rather be anywhere else.

"Lord Blackthorn. Lady Blackthorn." He bowed. "I've come to apologise."

"For?" Lucien's tone was not encouraging.

"For my behaviour last evening. My comments were inappropriate and ungentlemanly."

"Your comments were insulting to my wife."

"Yes." Potts shifted uncomfortably. "They were. I was... well, in my cups, but that's no excuse."

"No," Lucien agreed. "It's not."

"The thing is," Potts continued, "my wife was quite impressed by Lady Blackthorn. She said she showed remarkable spirit."

"She did," Arabella said, trying to be gracious. "Lord Potts, your apology is accepted."

"You're very kind, my lady. More kind than I deserve." He paused, then added, "Ashford was right to push me into that fountain."

"He was," Lucien agreed.

"It was rather sobering. Literally."

"I imagine it was."

"My wife laughed for twenty minutes."

"Did she?"

"She said it was the most entertainment I'd provided in years."

Despite himself, Lucien's mouth twitched. "Your wife sounds delightful."

"She is. Which is why I'm here, actually. She wanted to invite you both to dinner next week. Small gathering. Just a few couples."

"That's very kind..." Arabella began.

"We'll consider it," Lucien interrupted.

"Of course. No pressure. Just... the offer stands." Potts rose to leave, then paused. "Your dog, Lady Blackthorn. Is he really as criminal as they say?"

"Worse," Arabella said cheerfully. "Just this morning, he reorganized the linen closet."

"Reorganized?"

"According to his own mysterious system."

"How... extraordinary."

"That's one word for it."

After Potts left, Lucien said, "we're not going to that dinner."

"We might."

"Arabella."

"He apologised! And his wife sounds nice."