Arthur frowned. “I must have misheard you. Surely you wished to offer me condolences for the loss of my father. I believe he was a close friend of yours, was he not?”
Marina covered her mouth to stifle her laughter.
“Of course. My apologies,” Minto said insincerely. “I am sorry for the loss of your father. He was a good man.”
“Indeed.” Arthur remained stoic, with a hint of boredom.
“I am sure you must agree it would be best if your sister and I married right away,” Minto said.
“Why would I agree?”
Minto shifted in his seat, and Marina wished she could see the expression on his face. “Well, I assume your family will wish to retire to the country for your mourning period. Better for Marina and me to be married right away instead of waiting for the banns to be read.”
“I am not aware that my sister has given you leave to speak of her so informally. I’m also quite certain she will never do so since she will not marry you.” Arthur looked at the back of his hand and then flickedsomething off his shoulder before casting his gaze back to Minto.
“Your father and I had an agreement. I am to marry Lady Marina.”
“Do you have paperwork for such an agreement?” Arthur challenged. “Our solicitor is quite certain that is not the case, given I have marriage contracts ready for her true betrothed.”
Minto leaped to his feet. “What? You can’t do that. You must honor a gentleman’s agreement.”
“I assure you, my lord, I can and have done that. My sister doesn’t wish to marry you, and my father was no gentleman for attempting to force her to do so. I, however, will let my sister marry whomever she chooses.”
“Boy, you are making a mistake.”
Arthur laughed. “Come now, my lord. Surely you didn’t intend to disrespect me in my own home.”
“You are a pompous, spoiled little brat who is barely out of leading strings. You will not keep me from what I want.”
Arthur reached for the bell pull. “Thank you, my lord.”
“For what?”
“For proving why you aren’t fit to lick the dirt off my sister’s shoes. This matter is closed.”
Marina attempted to hide her gasp when Minto started toward Arthur, but at that moment Brooks entered the room with a couple of footmen.
“Brooks,” Arthur said as he rose from his chair, “please escort Lord Minto out of my home. He is never to be allowed admittance again.”
“This isn’t over,” Minto spat at Arthur when Brooks attempted to grab his arm.
“My sister has selected her husband, and the contracts are in place. Leave her alone and find someone else, as a true gentleman would.”
Marina didn’t think the contracts had been signed yet but would be resolved as soon as Evan arrived later.
Their servants removed Minto from the room, and Marinabreathed a sigh of relief that her brother did as he said and ensured she wouldn’t be stuck with the vile man.
Arthur looked up at the vent. “Do you wish to join me, sister?”
“Yes. Be right there,” she called back to him. Marina scurried to her feet and made haste to seek her brother.
She burst into his study and flung her arms around his neck. “You are the best brother. You were brilliant.”
He patted her on the back, and she released him. “The sooner we get you married, the better. I know it’s short notice, but perhaps we move the wedding to this afternoon so you and your husband can leave town. I don’t want that odious man causing any problems for you.”
“You may be right,” she said. “I want to marry Evan as soon as possible, so we can discuss it with him when he arrives. Thank you for everything. I love you, brother.”
“I know.” He waved her off, but his smile wasn’t lost to her.
