by Tarah Scott
Leana’s eyes locked on Mia’s open robe and Magnus was almost sure he saw satisfaction in the instant before she said, “I need not ask what you’re doing in my niece’s room, sir.”
Magnus grasped Mia’s waist and lifted her. She took the hint and scrambled off his hip, her knee bumping his cock as she pushed to her feet. He couldn’t halt the sharp intake of breath and caught the understanding on Leana’s face. He rose to his knees, and silently cursed at sight of the man Gordon Young had been speaking with earlier, now standing in the open doorway. Malice glittered in his eyes. News of his visit to Lady Mia’s room would be known to all Stirling’s guests before breakfast and to all of Inverness by evening.
Magnus stood, and affected what he hoped was a sheepish smile, then said to Lady Leana, “I couldn’t resist one more kiss for my future wife before I retired for the evening.”
Lady Mia gasped—nothing like the sensual sounds she had emitted in the ballroom—in unison with Leana smile. Magnus kept his attention on his now-future bride, but felt the man’s stare on his back.
“Shame on you, Lord Magnus,” Leana said, and Magnus noted the emphasis on his title and name. The woman was not only making sure everyone knew who had been caught in her niece’s room—and had declared a proposal—she was making sure everyone knew he was connected to peerage.
“But it is time to take your leave, sir” Leana continued. “Mia needs her rest.”
By now, his future bride was glaring. Leana shooed the two men from the room and Magnus heard in the instant before the door closed, “There you are, Mia.”
Magnus locked gazes with Gordon Young’s companion for an instant, then strode past the onlookers toward the stairs. So much for his impeccable instincts.
Chapter Eleven
Chin resting on the arm stretched out across the couch back, Mia stared out the parlor window at the grounds to the right of Westbourne Tower’s front drive. She hadn’t slept a wink the night before, and tossing and turning hadn’t brought her any closer to understanding what had happened last night. What had Lord Magnus been doing in the hallway outside her room, and why in heaven’s name and he been foolish enough to tell everyone they were engaged?
She understood that he feared her reputation would be ruined by them being found on the floor together, her on top of him. Butterflies skittered across the inside of her stomach with the memory. Here was half the reason she hadn’t slept. He’d felt so…solid, so nice. None of that mattered, she reminded herself for the hundredth time.
Her reputation had been rent to shreds the moment they rode up the drive to Sir Stirling’s home. Which meant Lord Magnus felt responsible. Well, in truth, he was responsible. She had wanted to return home and he’d insisted on bringing her to Westbourne Tower. But that decision had been a mistake, nothing more, and she didn’t intend him to sacrifice himself over a silly mistake.
Lord, how she wished she could just avoid him. But he was their neighbor and, according to what the world thought now, her future husband. The best way to handle the situation was head-on. Sir Stirling’s butler had informed her that Lord Magnus made a habit of taking a morning walk. He had to pass this small parlor to reach the front door.
Footfalls sounded in the hallway. She rose from the couch and hurried toward the door. A large figure filled the doorway and she stopped at sight of her brother.
“What is this about you and Lord Magnus being engaged?” he demanded as he approached.
Mia returned to the couch. “Why ask? You clearly know what happened last night.”
Joshua barked a laugh. “Rumor has it, he was found in your room, you on top of him. How long has this affair been going on?”
Mia rolled her eyes. “You know full well I am not conducting a love affair.” Though she wished she had the courage to do so
“A man doesn’t have a woman on top of a him unless they are conducting an affair,” Joshua said.
Mia lifted a brow. “What would you know of affairs?”
He scowled. “We are not discussing me.”
She released a frustrated sigh. “Oh, Joshua, hush. We are not having an affair. The truth is too fantastical for belief. We simply bumped into each other in the hallway and fell.”
His brow arched. “And landed with you straddling his hips.”
She sighed again. “Aye.”
“You and Angeline need to go to London for a time,” he said.
She laughed without mirth. “Indeed? And where will we get the money for such a trip?”
“We are not completely destitute, Mia.”
“We are not far from it,” she said. “Our remaining money must keep the estate running as long as possible, as well as pay for the rest of your education.”
“The devil with my education,” he growled. “You and Angeline are leaving today. There will be no argument.”
He didn’t know. “Joshua,” Mia softened her voice, “Angeline will not be going to London or even home with us.” Although, the latter might not be true. She could stay with them at least as long as they had a home.
He scowled. “Why not?”
“Have you seen Angeline today?”
He shrugged. “Nae.”
“That is because she and George eloped.”
He blinked. “Well damn my soul.” He slapped his thigh. “It’s about time George took control of that situation.”
Mia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You aren’t angry?”
“What should I be? George is a good man. He loves Angeline and she loves him.”
“But he is a navy man,” she said. “He will be away from home far more than they he’ll be home and, I don’t mean to be cruel, but George has no money. How can he possibly care for Angeline and the children they are sure to have?”
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 l
iked 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?”
“I was young and had just joined the navy.”
You are navy officer?” she demanded.
“Retired, my lady.” He was surprised at the relief that shone in her eyes. “I partnered with my uncle and Gordon for property investments, then left for the sea. I returned seven years later to discover that the property they’d invested in was The Honeydrop. I immediately closed the hell.”
“Then you are not responsible for the terrible things that must have taken place there.”
He shook his head, fighting the memory of that girl he’d found, drugged and abused. “I wouldn’t say that.”
“But it must be true,” she said.
“Do not be so naïve, Mia,” her brother snapped. “Men don’t go into that line of business without knowing what they are getting into.”
A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Just like they do not get caught with a woman straddling their hips unless they are conducting an affair.”
Magnus couldn’t deny the sense of relief that washed over him. He smiled back.
“You are being completely unrealistic, Mia” Joshua said. He fixed his gaze on Magnus. “Has Mia told you about our father?”
Mia paled.
Magnus frowned. What was this about? Whatever it was, the lad clearly needed to be taught a lesson.
Magnus turned a cold stare onto him. “What my fiancé discusses with me is of no concern of yours.”
For the first time since Magnus had met Joshua, doubt appeared in his eyes.
“I appreciate your concern for your sister,” Magnus said. “But I promise you, I do not take lightly my responsibility to care for her.” Joshua seemed uncertain how to reply and Magnus pressed his advantage. “I give you my word that she will have no cause to regret marrying me.”
Joshua studied him for a long moment. “If you hurt her, I will kill you.”
Magnus angled his head in acknowledgment. “I understand.”
Joshua faced his sister. “Do you wish me to stay?”
She shook her head. “Nae. I will be fine.”
He nodded, then started for the door.
“Joshua,” Magnus said.
Joshua paused and looked back.
“Just as my business with Lady Mia is none of your concern, so is my business with you none of hers.”
He betrayed no hint of gratitude—a proud young man of eighteen wouldn’t—but Magnus recognized a glint of respect in his eyes.”
Joshua left and Magnus faced his future bride. “Now what is this about you not marrying me?”
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.
“If, on the other hand,” he went on as if speaking to himself, “the compromising situation we were caught in had truly been an affaire de coeur, then honor would demand we marry.”
She still didn’t reply and he lifted a brow in question.
Her cheeks heated. “I suppose once two people have, well, as you say, engaged in a true love affair, they must marry.”
“I take it you have never before…”
She frowned in confusion, then understood and stiffened.” I beg your pardon, sir. Of course not. As you say, honor would demand I marry. You can plainly see, I am not married.”
“Must we be caught in the act for marriage to follow, or is the act enough?” he asked
A strange tremor rippled through her. “Lord Magnus you cannot—"
“Magnus,” he said.
“What?”
“He strode to the open door and closed it. When the latch engaged with a soft click, h
er heart began to beat fast.
He faced her. “I think it appropriate for you to call me by my Christian name, don’t you?”
Mia glance at the closed door. “What are you doing?” She inwardly grimaced. What an idiotic thing to say.
He advanced toward her.
“Do not do anything foolish, sir.”
“Magnus,” he corrected.
“Oh, as you wish, Magnus. You should take care. You don’t want to make matters worse.”
He stopped inches from her and she was forced to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact.
“Surely, you agree?” she whispered.
His gaze dropped to her mouth and her throat went dry.
He stepped closer—so close she felt the heat from his body.
“This isn’t how I would have planned this,” he said, “but a man makes do.”
“Makes do?” she stupidly repeated.
He stared at her with an intensity that stole her breath.
“My lady, I am about to compromise you fully and completely.”
“You mean you are going to seduce me?”
A corner of his mouth twitched and she realized he was fighting laughter.
His eyes darkened. “Just to be clear, it isn’t an aversion to marrying me that has you concerned, but the injustice that I should pay for a mistake by being forced to marry you?”
“Of course. You shouldn’t have to pay—”
He cupped the back of her neck.
Mia froze as he lowered his mouth to hers. Their lips touched. The moist warmth of his mouth wasn’t at all what she’d expected. Her experiences of other kisses, while nice, had been…different
The flex of his fingers on the back of her neck sent a shiver across her shoulders. His free hand grasped her waist and her heart raced as he flattened his palm and slid it around to the small of her back. He drew her close. Mia inhaled a breath when his hard length pressed her abdomen. Good Lord, did the man walk around in a constant state of arousal?
Something flicked her mouth. His tongue, she realized with surprise. Another flick. The sensation started a pleasurable warmth between her legs. His tongue gently slid between her lips. What in the world—
His tongue touched hers and she tasted the clove powder her must have used to clean his teeth that morning. His tongue tangled with hers. A dizzying rush of excitement tightened her stomach. This was nothing like what she’d observed with animals on the farm.