Page 40 of Brazen

Joshua rolled his eyes. “You women and money. You don’t give a man enough credit. George is an intelligent fellow. He may not have the money Father had, but he isn’t about to live life as a pauper. In case you haven’t noticed, having money did not save us from having almost nothing.”

“So you aren’t worried about them—even though he may be away from home for years at a time?”

He snorted. “No man who looks at a woman the way George does Angeline and stays away for years. You got yourself into a snit over nothing, Mia. This simplifies things greatly, however. We need only worry about getting you to London.”

“For goodness sake, Joshua, I am not going to London.”

His mouth thinned just as their father’s did when his mind was set. “I will not allow you to marry him, Mia.’

A horrifying thought struck. “You do not intend to challenge him to a duel?”

“You just never mind that. I will deal with Lord Magnus. Should’ve shipped him off to the Colonies like I wanted.”

Mia started. “What did you just say? The Colonies?”

He looked at her in surprise. “Never mind. You and I are returning home. We will send for your things later.”

Mia had to admit, she preferred Joshua’s plan to hers. But she suspected that Lord Magnus would hunt her down if she fled without first settling matters.

“Mia,” her brother began in a stern voice.

“Not that it is any of your concern,” she said with exasperation, “but I do not plan on marrying Lord Magnus.”

“I beg to differ, my lady. You are, indeed, going to marry me.”

Mia shot to her feet, eyes locked on Lord Magnus.

* * *

Lady Mia stared at Magnus wide-eyed. Young Joshua, however, despite having kidnapped him last night, looked him in the eye and said, “I will see you tomorrow morning at dawn, sir. Choose your seconds.”

Mia groaned out loud and flopped down onto the couch where she’d been sitting. “For heaven sakes, Joshua, have some sense. Not only is dueling illegal, but you are a terrible shot.”

Magnus found it interesting that she didn’t seem the least bit worried that he might accept the challenge. With each passing moment, he liked her more and more.

Magnus focused on Joshua. “I told you I had no intention of hurting your sister. In fact, I am going to marry her.”

The young man spun and faced his sister. “Mia, ask him about The Honeydrop.”

Magnus went cold. He intended to tell her about The Honeydrop, about everything. But to have the moment thrust upon him—

“Joshua,” she began.

Her brother shook his head. “Nae. Ask him.”

She remained silent.

“Are you afraid?” he demanded.

With a sigh, Mia looked at Magnus. “What is The Honeydrop?”

“A gambling hell.”

“You own this establishment?”

He kept his gaze steady with hers. “Owned. Myself, a man named Gordon Young, and my uncle. It was a devil’s lair, which included the selling of young women.”

She stared, expression neutral. “Why would you own such a place?”