Page 25 of Brazen

“It thought it was Lucy who thought of her as a mother,” Lord Magnus said.

Mia’s face heated.

Sir Stirling laughed. “So, you’ve met Lucy, have you?”

“Er, yes,” Lord Magnus said. “Lucy and I have, indeed, met.”

“When was this?” Joshua demanded.

“Two days ago,” Aunt Leana said. “Mia fell and Mr. Forbes was kind enough to help her into the house.”

Joshua surprised Mia by turning a hard stare onto Lord Magnus. “I see.”

“Your aunt was present, as were several maids and your cook,” Lord Magnus said.

Joshua made no reply, but his expression remained hard.

Mia took a fortifying sip of champagne, then set the glass on the coffee table. Thank heavens, Lord Magnus didn’t mention that he’d been alone with her on the walk home—or their ride to Sir Stirling’s home. Her heart swelled. Her brother had never before shown the slightest interest in the gentlemen in her life. Like most brothers, he basically ignored her. She shuddered to think what he might do if he learned of their aunt’s plan that she maneuver Lord Magnus into seducing her.

“Would anyone like more champagne?” Lord Magnus asked.

Mia tensed in readiness for Aunt Leana to suggest that she accompany Lord Magnus to the refreshments room for more champagne—and Joshua’s quick offer to go with them. Heavens, was the weekend going to be filled with Leana throwing her at Lord Magnus, and Joshua stepping in to prevent Lord Magnus from seducing her?

“Perhaps we should return to the ballroom,” Aunt Leana said. “Angeline has a full dance card.”

Sir Stirling laughed. “Chastity will hunt you down for those dances, my lady.” He stood.

Joshua sprang to his feet and pulled Mia up, then placed her hand in the crook of his arm. She frowned up at him. It was one thing for him to feel he must take their father’s place as their protector, but he was acting as if he’d caught Lord Magnus trying to make love to her.

Sir Stirling escorted Angeline, and Lord Magnus offered his arm to Aunt Leana who, too cheerfully, launched into a story about how Mia had thrown a wonderful party that summer—which couldn’t compare to Sir Stirling’s party, of course—but had been the talk of the neighborhood all summer. Mia groaned inwardly. Even Angeline’s beauty might not be enough to induce Lord Magnus to fall in love with her if he thought he had to endure more of Aunt Leana’s stories about Mia’s ability to grow strawberries, raise good egg hens and throw parties. If Aunt Leana embellished the story to the point that the party was a success due to the strawberry jam that had been served with the bread, Mia would immediately march home on foot.

When Lord Magnus, with Aunt Leana, followed Sir Stirling and Angeline through the doorway, Mia started forward, but Joshua held her back. She looked up at him in question. His attention was fixed on the door.

He stared for two heartbeats, then looked down at her and demanded, “What the devil are you doing with him?”

Mia flushed. “Wh-what do you mean?” she stuttered.

“Have you any idea who he is?”

“He’s the new owner of Barkely Hall.”

“Not that,” he said with an impatient wave of his hand. “He is the owner of one of the roughest gaming hells in Edinburgh.”

“What—that is ridiculous. Why, he is a close friend of Sir Stirling. Sir Stirling doesn’t associate with men like that.”

“Think what you like,” Joshua said in a low voice. “You are to stay away from him.”

All earlier feelings of brotherly affection vanished. “I beg your pardon, but you do not have anything to say about who I associate with.”

“I have everything to say about it,” he snapped, then urged her from the room.