Page 27 of Brazen

When she reached them, Sir Stirling said, “I am pleased you could join us, my dear.”

Mia noticed worry in her eyes.

Lady Chastity smiled. “I am pleased to have found all of you. Lady Angeline, I believe the gentleman who has your next dance is looking for you.” She looked past Angeline. There he is now.” She waved at a sandy haired gentleman.

Mia groaned inwardly. George.

Aunt Leana cast her a glance that said, That lovesick puppy is going to make a nuisance of himself.

“Why that’s George,” Joshua said.

George strode to where they stood. When he reached them, he bowed. “Lady Leana. Lady Mia. So very nice to see you.” His eyes shifted to Angeline. “Lady Angeline.”

Angeline smiled up at him and Mia’s heart broke. Angeline hadn’t looked at any other gentlemen that way.

George turned his attention to Lord Magnus.

“Mr. Davis,” Sir Stirling said, may I introduce Lord Magnus.”

George bowed and, to Mia’s relief, gave no indication he’d met Lord Magnus before. “Sir,” he said.

“Hurry along, you two, the next dance is about to begin,” Lady Chastity said.

Mia watched as they strolled away together. George covered the fingers Angeline had wrapped around his arm with his hand. He stared down at Angeline as if she were the only woman in the world. Mia had seen men look at Angeline with adoration. This was different. Did George really love Angeline? What if Angeline truly loved him? How long would that love survive when the first babe arrived and George was away at sea? Then the second and perhaps third child. Then they would quarrel about money.

Guilt niggled. They might not quarrel if their home was Kaerndal Castle. The only way they might keep the estate is if one of them married a gentleman of means. Mia glanced at Lord Magnus. A man like Lord Magnus.

***

Yet another couple passed them and openly stared. Magnus looked at Stirling.

Stirling nodded. “I saw it, as well. Let me see what I can learn.”

“I will go with you,” Lady Chastity said.

They walked away in the direction the couple had gone. Lady Chastity said something to Stirling. He stopped and they spoke for a moment. His expression hardened. He said something else to her, then returned. He glanced around, then nodded for them to follow.

Lady Mia and her aunt exchanged a glance but followed. Magnus waited for Joshua to follow, then took up the rear. Stirling stopped before a vacant alcove and stood aside for the ladies. Joshua followed Magnus in, then entered with Stirling close behind. The ladies crossed to the divan and settled there.

Stirling’s expression remained taut. “I am sorry, Magnus.” He looked at Lady Mia. “Lady Mia, it seems that someone witnessed your arrival here earlier today.”

Lady Mia gasped.

Magnus silently cursed. So, someone had been watching from that third-story window.

“Surely, if we tell people that Lord Magnus was only delivering me safely here after my carriage was set upon by highwayman—” Mia began.

Magnus shook his head. “You could produce a dozen witnesses in a court of law and the gossipmongers would spin their tales. Society prefers gossip to the truth.”

“What’s this all about?” Joshua demanded.

“Lower your voice, Joshua,” Leana admonished in a whisper. ”When Mia set out for home, highwaymen attacked our coach. Mr. Forbes happened upon the carriage after Mia and Boyd chased away the brigands.”

“Mia chased away brigands? By God, I’m in Bedlam. Still, that’s no reason for gossip,” he said.

“Mr. Forbes brought Mia here to Westbourne Tower,” Leana said.

“What?” Joshua frowned in Magnus’s direction. “Well that’s just fine. Why did you now take her to Kaerndal Castle?”