Page 24 of Brazen

“Aye,” Lord Magnus replied. “But I will be employing men who are far more skilled than myself.”

“Many men have failed at farming these hills,” Joshua said.

“Joshua,” Aunt Leana said. “Mind your manners.”

“That’s quite all right,” Lord Magnus said. “He is correct. If I recall, Lord Rose tried for six years to grow potatoes with little success.”

“As well as wheat,” Joshua added.

“That is correct,” Lord Magnus said. “David MacKenzie’s first two attempts to grow oats were highly successful, however. I believe one mistake these men made was not rotating the crops.”

Joshua made no reply.

“Barkely Hall has been vacant far too long,” Angeline said. “I’m so pleased someone is making a home of the estate.”

“You do not plan to return to Edinburgh?” Joshua asked.

“Not to live,” Lord Magnus replied. “Barkely Hall is now my home.”

“Wonderful,” Aunt Leana said. “How is it you and Sir Stirling are acquainted?”

“Business,” Sir Stirling replied.

“Aren’t you in shipping, Sir Stirling?” Joshua asked.

“Indeed,” he replied. “Though, I am involved in other ventures, as well.”

“Why did you choose Barkely Hall, Mr. Forbes?” Angeline asked.

“The land is rich,” he said.

“Mia is a wonderful gardener,” Aunt Leana said. “She has a knack for making things grow.”

Mia choked on a sip of champagne in unison with Joshua’s, “Mia, a gardener? Why she—”

“Joshua,” Aunt Leana said sharply. “It is rude to interrupt.”

Joshua regarded her in surprise. Mia well understood his confusion, for not only was she unskilled at growing things, she had a knack for killing plant life. For some reason, she always seemed to water plants too much or too little. Angeline, on the other hand, had but to touch a plant and it grew.

“Mia, tell Mr. Forbes about the strawberries you grew last summer,” Leana said.

Mia looked dumbly at him and said, “I grew strawberries last summer.”

His gaze remained fixed on her face, as if he waited for more.

“They were the sweetest strawberries we’ve ever had,” her aunt went on. “Cook made jam with them. Do we still have some of that jam, Mia? Perhaps Mr. Forbes would like some.”

“I am partial to strawberry jam,” he said, and Mia realized he was laughing at her discomfort. She wasn’t sure whether or not to blame him. Aunt Leana had her acting like an idiot.

“Then I shall ask Cook if we have any left,” she said.

“I recall that your eggs are among the best I have ever had,” Sir Stirling said.

Mia looked at him. What was he talking about?

“That is because Mia cares for the chickens,” Aunt Leana said. “I vow, they almost think of her as a mother.”

Mia stared.