Page 47 of Brazen

“I am immensely relieved to hear that, sir,” Mia said. “I should have hated to have to shoot you.”

The marquess’s brow shot up. “Indeed?”

She nodded. “My aunt taught me that a lady has a right to defend yourself against unwanted attention.”

“She sounds like a sensible woman,” he said.

“One you should get to know, if she is as beautiful as her niece,” Duncan said.

“I think not,” Magnus said.

“When is the wedding?” his father asked.

“In three or four days, depending on when I can procure a special license,” Magnus said.

“Three days,” Mia blurted. “So soon?”

“There is a need for haste, eh?” the marquess said. “You never do anything halfway, Magnus.”

Magnus scowled. “There is no need for haste.” Though, for all he knew there was. He had just bedded Mia—if one could call that bedding a woman.

“I believe I might be able to help with a special license,” Stirling said. “I am acquainted with the bishop.”

“How every convenient,” Magnus said. Suspicion niggled. If he didn’t know better, he would almost think that Stirling had played matchmaker. Nae. The idea was too fantastical.

“Very practical not to wait,” his father said. “Your mother will be pleased. As of yet, she has been unable to induce Duncan to wed and give her grandchildren.”

“Grandchildren?” Mia repeated. “I am just engaged, and already you have me married and breeding.”

“That is what people in love do,” he said.

Magnus blinked. He’d never once heard his father speak of love.

The marquess held her gaze. “You are in love, are you not?”

Bloody hell, so that was his father’s game, eh? It was well and good for his sons to whore all over Scotland, but the moment a woman managed to capture one of his sons’ attentions, the marquess had to be certain she wasn’t a fortune hunter. Magnus thought of Beatrice. His father might not be all that wrong.

“Of course we are in love,” Mia said.

“We are?” Magnus said dumbly.

She stood, grasped his lapel, and pulled his ear down to her mouth, then whispered, “If I didn’t love you, why would I have enticed you into seducing me?”

He drew back and looked down at her. “Is that what happened?”

She nodded.

“Rather brazen of you, my dear, and worthy of the Forbes reputation,” he murmured.

Her lips parted in surprise.

“I like her,” Duncan declared. He looked at Mia and said in mock seriousness, “Welcome to the family, my lady. May God have mercy upon your soul.”