He couldn't be surprised that Draco had considered handing Bella to the ministry. Lucius suspected that he didn't have the full details of Bella's behaviour in later life, but he had a good view of the overall picture. Perhaps Narcissa had lived some years without him, but Lucius could still identify the features that had passed over his wife, the note of caution in her voice, even the protection she extended to Draco.
"Your options are clear; either we take care of her ourselves," he raised his eyebrows slightly, wondering what Draco would make of this option "we hand her to the Ministry, or a third broader option."
Lucius glanced over the large desk that had once belonged to his father. It was messier than he recalled it.
"Handing her to the Ministry is problematic, hand over her, and you hand over any privacy or leniency you might have received from the Ministry. The broader option, in my view, will allow the best solution for all concerned - we need not make an enemy of Bella, nor offer up ourselves." Lucius met Draco's gaze, "We are close enough in years to share a connection, one that brings you discomfort" he paused to acknowledge that this wasn't to be a discussion of Death Eater kinship "but Bellatrix trusts me." Surely Lucius didn't have to explain the nature of that trust; not implicit, or even earned but borne of necessity.