Page 42 of Brazen

Chapter Twelve

Mia narrowed her eyes on Lord Magnus. “My brother seems to be involved in a great deal of business these days. What business do you have with him that is no concern of mine?”

He smiled gently and to her horror, her stomach did a flip. “Nothing you need worry about, my lady. Now, about our marriage…”

Mia tamped down on frustration. She would discover what was going on between him and Joshua, eventually. “Sir, you must admit that the only reason you told everyone we were engaged was because they discovered us in a compromising position.”

“You do realize that by now half of Inverness knows what happened not only last night, but yesterday when I brought you to Westbourne Tower, as well” he said.

She shrugged. “My past is far worse than any scandal between you and I.”

He lifted a brow. “Your father, I take it?”

To her shock, tears pricked. She forced a calm voice. “He is serving a five-year prison sentence for stealing the Duchess of Chislm’s’ jewels.”

Lord Magnus blinked—then laughed. Mia wasn’t certain what to make of his response, then anger flared. She jumped to her feet and hurried toward the door.

When she started to pass him, he caught her arm. “Mia,” he said with a laugh, “forgive me. I know it cannot be easy having your father in prison. That isn’t why I laughed.” He released her. “You see, well… Are you familiar with the Marquess of Thachton?”

“Oh yes. His exploits reach even us here in the country—his son as well. They are terrible rakes—" she broke off, eyes wide. “Oh dear, you don’t mean to say…”

He nodded. “My father and brother.” And lest he forget his mother. But he wouldn’t mention her.

Mia said winced. “I put my foot in it, didn’t I?”

“Not at all. My father and brother are quite proud of their reputations as rakes.”

“Oh dear,” she said again.

Magnus frowned. “Are you unwell?”

She looked up at him “I’m not quite certain.”

“Come, sit down.” He gently grasped her arm.

She shook her head. It isn’t that. I— Well… Do you know of Viscount Ardsley?”

“Indeed, I do. He and my father are acquainted.”

She snorted. “I should have known. He is my father.”

“Viscount Ardsley is your father?” He began to laugh again. “My lady, I really don’t see how you can consider turning down my proposal. Never were two people more suited than you and I.”

Mia wasn’t certain about that, but she had to admit he didn’t seem terribly upset at the prospect of having to marry her. And marrying him would, as Aunt Leana said, solve all their problems. But the idea rankled and she couldn’t refrain from saying,

“Somehow, I doubt that you awoke yesterday with the intention of asking me to marry you.”

“Perhaps, but that doesn’t mean it is a bad plan.”

“It really is quite ridiculous when you think about it,” she said. “Everyone thinks you tried to seduce me. Or perhaps they think I tried to seduce you. It did look that way. But that isn’t at all what happened. It seems a shame that you should be forced to marry me for something you didn’t do.”

He gave a slow nod. “I begin to understand your logic.”

She blinked. “You do?” Her heart fell. He really didn’t want to marry her.

“You think it unfair that we should pay for something we didn’t do.”

She nodded, but couldn’t speak for fear her voice would reveal her hurt.