Page 13 of Brazen

“I will be even less hospitable to him than I am to you.”

“Bluster all you want, you cannot shoot your mother’s brother.”

Magnus snorted. “I can and will, if he comes anywhere near me—which I doubt he will. He no more wishes to see me than I do him.”

Gordon regarded him. “Do you really plan on taking this grudge to the grave?”

“And beyond, if I can.”

“You have no reason to complain. The money you made from The Honeydrop is probably what enabled you to purchase this estate.”

He wasn’t about to let the man drag him into that old argument. “I have been patient, Young. What do you want?”

“Your uncle has purchased another hell.”

Magnus tensed. “That has nothing to do with me.”

“You didn’t think The Honeydrop had anything to do with you, either.”

“No money lender in Edinburgh will give him so much as a shilling. I made sure of it,” Magnus said.

Gordon lifted a brow. “What about Inverness?”

* * *

Mia stared at her aunt and could only manage, “Me?”

“Why not?” Angeline said. “Any gentleman would be fortunate to have you as a wife.”

Aunt Leana rose and hurried to the small desk near the window. She lifted paper from a drawer, then removed the cap from the ink and dipped the quill. Mia crossed to her aunt. In her note, she thanked Sir Stirling for the invitation and said the four of them, Joshua was invited, as well, would attend the party. She set the quill down, then blew on the paper.

“What in the world has possessed you?” Mia demanded. “We agreed, Angeline must find a husband before news of Father’s incarceration becomes known. Surely, you must agree that the chances are greater that Angeline can find a suitable husband. We are concerned for her welfare, if you recall.”

“Angeline finding a suitable husband does not mean you cannot marry, as well.”

“No one wants to marry me,” Mia said.

Leana folded the paper. “A wealthy gentleman who clearly finds you attractive has moved in next door. That is a start.”

“Finds me attractive? Why that is-is ridiculous,” Mia sputtered.

“He finds Mia attractive?” Angeline said. “Oh my, that is interesting.”

“But he does not find me attractive,” Mia blurted.

“He doesn’t?” Angeline looked at Aunt Leana. “But you said he does, Aunt.”

“You know Mia, she is forever thinking gentlemen don’t find her attractive. I saw the way he looked at her—and lest we forget, he swept her into his arms and insisted upon carrying her into the house.”

“That only makes him a gentleman, not a prospective husband,” Mia insisted.

“He went well above a gentleman’s duty.” Aunt Leana turned her attention to Angeline and said in a confidential tone, as if Mia couldn’t hear, “He was very masterful. I half expected him to kiss her on the parlor divan.”

Mia flushed. “Aunt Leana.”

Another knock came to the door and the butler, Mr. Anders, entered. “A letter has arrived for you, my lady.” He crossed to Leana, gave her the letter, then bowed and left.

Mia caught sight of the return address: Mr. Barton, Esquire. Fear tightened her insides. It was the third letter from him in as many weeks. He was growing more insistent on payment. Mia didn’t like the man, but her father had insisted he was the finest lawyer in Inverness.