Page 48 of Brazen

Epilogue

Magnus’s father started to step into the carriage, then paused. “Did you write your mother?”

Magnus nodded. “Aye. Mia insisted.”

His father chuckled. “That lass will keep you on your toes. She reminds me of your mother.”

Magnus grimaced. “Bite your tongue.”

His father’s expression softened. “Just because your mother and I went our separate ways, doesn’t mean we do not care for each other. She is a good woman.” He turned toward the carriage.

Magnus laid a staying hand on his shoulder. The marquess looked at him.

Magnus’s chest constricted. “Thank you for dealing with Blane.”

A hard glint entered his father’s eyes. “Your mother has protected him too long. It was time he learned his actions come with consequences.”

“She couldn’t know how he abused those young women at The Honeydrop,” Magnus said.

“That wasn’t his first offense,” he replied, then vaulted into the carriage.

Magnus closed the door and peered through the window at his brother, who gave a mocking smile, then saluted. Magnus stepped back and watched the carriage roll down the drive. He had had to admit, they’d behaved better the last two weeks than he remembered them ever behaving. Perhaps being around a respectable woman helped. He loved his mother, but she didn’t bring out the best in his father.

Magnus turned and strode up the steps and entered Barkely Hall’s door. He took the stairs to the right, passed down the upstairs hallway up to his private library, and found Joshua waiting for him.

Joshua rose from the chair in front of Magnus’s desk.

“Good morning, Joshua.” Magnus rounded his desk and sat in his chair. “To what do I owe the honor of this visit?”

Joshua locked gazes with him. Magnus liked the lad. He was straightforward and honest. He could stand to be a little less serious, though. He mentally chuckled. The same had been said about him at that age.

“I wondered if you have anything to do with this.” Joshua removed a small folded piece of paper from the inner pocket of his coat and laid it on the desk.

Magnus unfolded the paper. Joshua’s signature was scrawled across the bottom of a marker promising five thousand pounds.

Magnus set the marker on the desk and looked at Joshua. “You have my father to thank.” Not a complete lie. He’d offered to pay the marker, but when his father had Blane arrested for owning an illegal gaming establishment in Inverness, the marker had become worthless.

Indecision warred on Joshua’s face. “I shall repay the marquess.”

“There is nothing to repay,” Magnus said.

Joshua shook his head. “I wager I owe nothing for George’s commission and the payment of Mr. Barton’s bill, either?”

Magnus frowned. “I beg your pardon?”

Joshua’s gaze sharpened. “I understand a commission was purchased for George. Seems he’s been assigned to the Kensington. It is a small ship, only fifty guns, but she patrols the Scottish coast, which means he will be able to get home more often for the remainder of his contract.”

“That is fortunate for Angeline.” That had come at Mia’s request.

“Interestingly enough,” Joshua went on, “our father’s legal bills have been paid.”

“I suppose I must take credit for that,” Magnus said. The lad wouldn’t believe otherwise.

Joshua nodded, then hesitated. “Why didn’t you tell Mia about…well, you know.”

“As I said, it didn’t concern her.”

“You could have had me imprisoned.”