by Tarah Scott
“Magnus,” said a male voice behind him.
Magnus’s fingers tightened on the neck of the decanter. “What the bloody hell are you doing here, Young?” Magnus cursed his quick tongue. He couldn’t let the man know how much he unnerved him. Magnus filled his glass.
Gordon Young stepped into view beside him. “Come now, Magnus, surely, your temper has cooled by now?”
Here was another good reason to return home. Magnus started past him.
“You cannot deny you were damned good at it,” Gordon said.
Magnus spun. “Good at forcing laudanum down the throats of teenage girls so that animals like you could have their way with them?” he hissed under his breath.
“I never touched a single one of those women,” Gordon said without rancor.
“You think that absolves you?” The need to slam his fist into the man’s face sent his heart into a wild rhythm.
“You didn’t mind the money,” Gordon said in that same unflappable tone.
He couldn’t allow the man to goad him into the same argument. Magnus turned and strode from the room. He emerged into the hallway and braced his free hand against the wall.
It wasn’t your fault, he reminded himself. You didn’t know.
Did ignorance absolve him of his part in the business? Gordon was right. He had made a lot of money off The Honeydrop. He left for the navy and his share of the profits from property investments had been funneled into other investments. He’d donated to women’s charities all the money he’d made from The Honeydrop, but the investments continued to explode into profits. The money taunted him with the memory of the night he’d found the young woman tied to a bed in one of the half dozen rooms in the gaming hell. Her glazed eyes and the blood on the sheets were worse than anything he’d seen on the battlefield. His stomach roiled.
He straightened from the wall, drank the brandy in two gulps, and strode to the ballroom. Dancers pranced to the music of a lively country dance. Magnus felt certain more guests had packed themselves into the ballroom. A waiter carrying a tray of champagne passed by. Magnus stopped him, set the brandy glass on the tray, then took a glass of champagne and headed for the balcony.
When he stepped from the ballroom, brisk night air washed over him. He took three steps to the right-hand corner of the balcony, where a small alcove gave him a tiny measure of privacy from the half dozen couples who enjoyed the flower-scented night. He leaned a shoulder against the side of the building and stared into the darkened gardens.
He had expected to encounter Gordon Young or even his uncle again, but he hadn’t expected them to seek him out. He couldn’t fathom what made them think he would ever consider going into business with them again. Had his uncle actually purchased a gaming establishment in Inverness?
“Thank you, but no,” said Lady Mia.
Magnus straightened from the wall and peered around the edge of the alcove in time to see her and a tall man of about forty years halt at the railing five feet to his left.
“My intentions are honorable, Lady Mia,” the man said. “Also, please bear in mind that I am in a position to care for Angeline as she deserves.”
Lady Mia’s gaze remained on the garden. “Have you spoken with my aunt?”
Magnus heard the exasperation in her voice.
“Nae. I know how much your opinion means to her, so wanted to speak with you first. Keep in mind, that as family, I would never press you to pay your bill.”
Bill?
She faced him and locked eyes with his. “I beg your pardon, Mr. Barton, are you suggesting I sell my sister to you?”
“Forgive me.” He angled his head in apology. “I would never suggest such a thing.”
But Magnus thought that was exactly what he suggested.
“I only meant to demonstrate one of the many advantages of her acceptance of my suit. I am aware how much Kaerndal Castle means to your family. It would be a shame if your brother were unable to remain in the home where he grew up once he claims the title.”
Her stare remained unwavering. “That sounds to me like a threat, Mr. Barton.”
Magnus agreed.
“Not at all. Ma’am, as you know, I have not insisted upon payment,” Mr. Barton replied. “But my partners will one day force the issue.”
Partners? What was the debt for?
“I suppose I should thank you, then?” she said.
The man shook his head. “No need. I only thought you would want to fully understand the situation. Speaking of which, you should be aware that I am beginning to hear rumors.”
Rumors? He had to be referring to the rumors about her and Magnus. But what had that to do with him?
“I see,” Lady Mia replied in a tight voice. “I believe I understand quite well, sir. I will be sure to speak with my aunt.”
“That is all I ask.”
The satisfaction in the man’s voice made Magnus want to toss him over the railing.
A moment of silence passed, then the man added, “I would be pleased if you would honor me with a dance.”
Mia scowled, and Magnus tensed in anticipation of the tongue lashing the man was about to receive.
Mia surprised him by saying, “I am fatigued and only want a bit of fresh air before I retire.”
“I am happy to see you to your chambers, my lady.”
“Thank you, but that will not be necessary.”
The man stepped closer to her and said something Magnus couldn’t hear. Her frown deepened and she started back toward the ballroom. Magnus ducked back into the alcove. Once her footsteps receded, he peered around the edge of the alcove in time to see the man turn and saunter down the steps and onto the lawn.
Magnus left the alcove and reentered the ballroom. Lady Mia stood alone to the right of the balcony door. He approached. She caught sight of him and her brow furrowed. He stopped beside her.
“Lady Mia,” he said with a slight bow.
“Lord Magnus,” she replied.
He faced the dance floor. “It’s rather late. I thought you had retired with your aunt.”
“Clearly, you were mistaken.”
“That is my good fortune.”
She studied him. He couldn’t blame her. The mysterious Mr. Barton had left her suspicious.
He looked down at her. “May I have the next dance, my lady?”
The suspicion deepened. “Why?”
He bit back a laugh and managed in an even voice, “I haven’t danced all night and am in the mood to dance with a beautiful woman.”
Humor flickered in her eyes.
He had her.
“Tongues are already wagging,” she said.
He nodded. “Aye.”
“You had best beware, sir. The orchestra has not played a country dance yet this evening. If the next dance is a country dance, you will be forced to endure twenty minutes with me on the dancefloor.”
“I could endure a great deal more than that, my lady.”
Her gaze sharpened. “You do recall I own a large pig.”
He lifted his brows. “Lady Mia, if you have taught Lucy how to dance, I will sell tickets and we will become rich.”
She laughed. He was surprised to realize this was the first time he’d heard her laugh. He liked the sound.
“Lucy can do many things, but dance is not one of them,” she said.
“I must admit, I am relieved.”
She laughed again. “Why?”
“Because a pig that can dance is probably more intelligent than I.”
Mia returned her gaze to the dancers. “Only time will tell on that score, sir.”
Magnus couldn’t tear his eyes from her. He liked her.
A waiter passed and Magnus caught the longing look she sent the man’s way. Magnus signaled the waiter. He turned toward them and stopped.
“Champagne, my lady?”
“Oh, yes, please.”
Magnus took a glass and handed it to Mia, then took one for himself. Instead of sipping, as he’d expec
ted, she took a large drink, then released a breath.
“Thirsty?” he asked.
She nodded. “I am. Plus, I do like champagne.”
“I don’t see your brother,” he said.
She snorted. “He will avoid me this weekend, if he is wise.”
“I take it he has appointed himself your keeper.”
“Aye, and he isn’t very good at it.”
“He is right to watch out for you, you know.”
She looked up at him, a speculative gleam in her eyes. “Protect me from you, you mean?”
Oh yes, his mind shouted, but he said, “All he knows is that I am a man who carried you into his house and rode alone with you on a horse. For all he knows, I have already had my way with you.”
She choked on her champagne and snapped her head up. “I-I beg your pardon, that is ridiculous.”
“Hardly. The thought hasn’t occurred to you?” he murmured.
She gasped softly, and desire streaked through him. He wanted to hear that sound while he moved inside her.
Her eyes narrowed. “You are toying with me.”
“Indeed, I am, my lady.” Do you like it?
When she finished her champagne in three swallows, he concluded she did like it and wondered just what the bloody hell he would do about it.
The dance ended, and he took her glass and set it beside his glass on a nearby table, then led her to the dance floor. As they fell in line, his gaze caught on Gordon Young, standing with a stalky dark-haired man he didn’t recognize. Young said something to the man next to him and the man looked at Magnus.
Magnus would have to speak to Stirling about Young.
The music began and he turned his gaze onto Mia. She surprised him by not looking away. The ladies danced forward, then curtsied. She leaned forward in her curtsy, offering a lovely view of the rise of her breasts—and a little more. Hmm, did she realize the tantalizing picture she made?
Mia rose, then twirled. Her dress flared and Magnus glimpsed slim ankles before she danced back to her place in line with the other women. The ride home on his horse tonight might prove as uncomfortable as had the ride with her in his lap. Well, perhaps not quite as uncomfortable—and certainly not as pleasurable as when her warm body pressed his cock.
He and Mia danced toward one another. He grasped her hand. The pressure of her fingers against his as they stepped in time with the music between the two nearest men made him wonder how her fingers would feel about his hard length.
They separated and she grasped the hand of the woman to her left, then executed a turn. The women joined hands with the two other women in their set and Magnus grasped Mia’s free hand as they formed a circle. They completed one turn, then dropped hands and faced the opposite direction of each other. The woman facing Magnus looked at him through her lashes. They circled each other.
From the corner of his eye, Magnus watched Mia. She looked up at her partner with a frank expression that suggested nothing more than polite civility. He slid to the right of his partner. She gave him a final suggestive smile in the instant before he faced Mia again. They joined hands and stepped in a circle, eyes locked. They faced one another and stepped close. Magnus couldn’t stop himself from stepping closer than he should. He stared down at her, his heart suddenly beating fast as if he were a sixteen year old boy falling in love for the first time.
He started at the thought. That word hadn’t entered his thoughts, much less passed his lips in eight years. He’d cared for Leanne, and had expected their bond to grow, but he’d left love behind all those years ago as a young man before he’d left for the sea.
Mia titled her head back and looked up at him. It seemed they were frozen in that instant, the music a far-away melody. Mia grasped her skirt and bent slightly forward in a quick curtsey. He caught another tantalizing view of the creamy valley between her breasts. His cock jerked.
She rose and skipped in a circle around him. They backed up, circled the partner to the left, then approached one another again. They clasped hands and stepped so close he could smell her lilac perfume.
“You are quite beautiful, my lady,” he whispered.
Her mouth parted in surprise and he had the sudden urge to kiss her. Her gaze dropped to his mouth. By God, was she thinking the same thing? They separated and backed up. A gentleman danced around her while a lady danced around him. The two met in the middle, but Magnus only had eyes for Mia.
When the dance finished, she curtsied. Magnus bowed, then offered his arm and led her off the dancefloor.
“You are a very good dancer,” he said.
“It is one of my better accomplishments,” she replied.
He looked down at her. “That and growing strawberries and mothering hens.”
She grimaced. “I cannot grow a strawberry to save my life.”
“Not according to your aunt.”
“Aunt Leana made that up.”
“Why?”
They reached the wall near the front entrance stairs.
“Because…” She hesitated. “I suppose you will have to ask her.”
“I see.” He wanted very badly to walk with her in the garden, but that was sure to give the gossipmongers the ammunition they needed to insist that she’d been compromised beyond repair.
“It’s quite warm in the ballroom,” she said.
Was she hinting that she wanted to take a walk in the garden? Should he chance even escorting her out to the balcony? His heart raced at the prospect of being alone with her. Then reality hit like ice water. He had miscalculated greatly in escorting her into the ballroom. Christ, what would the old biddies say about them talking, drinking champagne, and dancing together?
“We could take a short talk in the garden,” she said.
Magnus couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was she truly so naïve as to not understand how that would completely ruin her reputation? An image flashed of her in moonlight, staring up at him as he bent his head to kiss her. He knew what those full breasts felt like pressed against his chest. His bollocks throbbed. If they went their separate ways, then met—
He broke off the thought. He’d lost his mind. To even consider a clandestine meeting in the gardens was madness.
“Where is your brother?”
She frowned. “My brother? I do not know.”
“He should escort you to your chambers.”
“But I don’t want to go to my chambers. It is such a nice night that—”
“My lady, tongues are wagging enough as it is. I shouldn’t have danced with you. We cannot chance more gossip.” Magnus scanned the room and caught sight of Lady Chastity. He cupped Mia’s elbow and started forward. “I see Lady Chastity. She can ensure you reach your rooms safely.”
Mia frowned. “But I thought—”
“You didn’t think at all. That is the problem.” He was being unreasonable, and knew it, yet the devil compelled him to add, “If you will not take care for your reputation, then I must.”
After all, he’d probably already ruined her.
Chapter Nine
Two hours later, Mia stared into the flickering fire in the hearth, the book on her lap forgotten. She had failed at seduction. Just when things were going so well. What had she done wrong? She’d asked herself that question a dozen times the last two hours, but she knew the answer. Aunt Leana had been wrong. Men didn’t fall at the feet of just any woman who threw themselves at them. True, she’d been noticed by men, until those men saw Angeline. Her chest tightened. Memory called forth the warmth of Lord Magnus’s fingers grasping hers, the strength of his arms as he’d carried her into the house as if she weighed no more than a feather.
To her shame, the need to cry arose. Of course, it was Angeline he wanted, not her. But why had he told her she was beautiful? Mia sighed. What woman understood the fickle heart of a man? She’d foolishly allowed herself to believe she might be able to capture his interest. Desperation gave a woman all sorts of silly ideas. If she’d been able to get h
im to seduce—and marry—her, he would have maintained Kaerndal Castle. Now, there was simply no hope. Unless, by some miracle, Angeline attracted a very wealthy husband. But very wealthy bachelors were not all that common. Thus far, the gentlemen she’d attracted had been respectable, but not well off enough to maintain Kaerndal Castle.
Angeline simply couldn’t marry George. She had to understand. She was young. Surely, she could grow to love a man who cared for her. Couldn’t she?
A frantic knock on the door jarred her from her thoughts.
“Mia,” came her aunt’s desperate whisper.
“Come in,” Mia said as she rose.
The door opened and Aunt Leana rushed into the room. She shook a sheet of paper in Mia’s face. “She’s gone. I cannot believe it.”
Mia frowned. “Gone? Who?” Then she knew.
Nae.
Mia took the note and read.
Dearest Aunt Leana and Mia,
I know you want the best for me, and I love you both for it. But I must marry George.
I hope you can forgive me. George procured a special license and by the time you read this note, we will be man and wife.
I know you worry, but please be happy for me.
I will send word once we are settled.
Love,
Angeline
Mia looked at Aunt Leana. “It cannot be. Have you any idea where they have gone?”
Her aunt shook her head. “Not the slightest idea.”
Mia sank onto the chair she’d occupied. This was all her fault. If she had paid more attention to Angeline and George, instead of allowing herself to be distracted by Lord Magnus, none of this would have happened.
Oh, Angeline. What have you done?
“It is still possible to save her?” Aunt Leana said.
Mia frowned. “How? They left together. No one will believe she is an innocent after running off with George.” She doubted Angeline would remain an innocent past tonight. She would ensure the marriage was permanent.
