Page 11 of Brazen

Angeline gave her an odd look that made Mia’s cheeks warm even more.

“Exactly,” Aunt Leana said. “He will need a wife.”

“What if he doesn’t know he needs a wife?” Angeline asked. “Gentlemen do tend to think they can get by without a woman’s help.”

“Never mind that,” Mia said. “Once he sees you, he will be smitten. Imagine; as mistress of Barkely Hall, you will live five minutes from home.”

“I thought you and Aunt Leana planned to sell Kaerndal Castle once I marry.”

Mia ignored the amusement in her sister’s voice. “If you married a man as wealthy as Mr. Forbes must be, then perhaps we may not need to sell Kaerndal Castle.”

“Not Angeline,” Leana said.

Mia looked at her. “What?”

“You, Mia.”

“Me? Me what?”

“You are the perfect wife for Mr. Forbes.”

Mia’s mouth fell open.

Angeline laughed. “What a wonderful idea.”

Mia looked from Angeline to her aunt. “But that’s ridiculous. We agreed, Angeline must marry as soon as possible.”

“We agreed because we do not want to see her chances for a good match ruined because of your father’s actions,” Aunt Leana said. “But a rich brother-in-law would ensure Angeline’s acceptance no matter her father’s crimes.”

“But-but—” Mia shook her head. “I don’t understand. Angeline is far more beautiful. Mr. Forbes will find her much harder to resist than me.”

What a shame it wasn’t her he happened upon in the woods, she thought.

Though, the last thing they needed was for George to find Angeline alone in the woods. He would be sure to elope with her. He wasn’t supposed to have returned to Inverness for another two months. Clearly, Angeline had written him of their father’s imprisonment and he had hurried home from wherever his ship had docked to beg her to marry him post haste. The young fool had mistakenly thought he could enlist Mia’s aid in convincing Aunt Leana to give her blessing on their marriage.

“I know exactly what to do,” Mia said. “We will plan for Angeline’s carriage to break down on the road just as Mr. Forbes is passing by. He will rescue her just as he did me, only he will fall madly in love with her.” Which he hadn’t with her, not one wit.

“Break down?” Angeline echoed. “Mia, that is positively diabolical. But I must point out it is a silly idea.” Mia opened her mouth to say the idea wasn’t silly at all, when Angeline added, “How did he save you?”

Mia recalled his intervention with George, but said, “I took a tumble down the hill. He, er, intercepted my fall.”

Angeline’s brows shot up. “Does that mean he caught you? I wish I had seen that. Is he handsome? I wager he is.”

“I-- That is of no consequence,” Mia said. “He is a perfectly polite gentleman—is he not, Aunt Leana?” But she didn’t wait for an answer. “And he is wealthy enough to have purchased Barkely Hall. He will make a very good husband.”

A knock came to the door and the maid, Sally, entered and curtsied. “A message arrived for you, my lady.” She hurried to their aunt and gave her a sealed envelope, then left.

Mia glimpsed the blue wax and recognized Sir Stirling’s seal in the instant before Leana slipped a finger between the lip and envelope and broke the seal.

She withdrew a note and her eyes scanned the paper. Her face lit. “Sir Stirling is hosting the promised house party this weekend and has invited us.” She looked up at them. “This is the perfect opportunity to make a connection with Mr. Forbes.”

“Indeed,” Mia said. “That is the perfect excuse for Angeline to be in the carriage when it goes into the ditch as Mr. Forbes passes.”

“Don’t be silly, Mia. Repair of the carriage would cost a fortune.” Excitement gleamed in Aunt Leana’s eyes. “Mr. Forbes will be attending the party.”

“How can you possibly know that?” Mia asked.

“Sir Stirling would never invite us to the house party and not invite our new neighbor, the gentleman to whom he facilitated the sale of Barkely Hall.”

She had a point. “There will be a multitude of ways to show Angeline off to her best advantage at a house party.” Mia stood. “We have much planning to do. We must inspect Angeline’s best dress and—”

“Sometimes you can be so dense, Mia,” their aunt cut in. “As I said earlier, it isn’t Angeline who should marry Mr. Forbes. It is you.”