by Tarah Scott
Lord Dunn reached for his daughter. “We were just leaving to search for you.” He lifted her from the horse. “What happened? Archangel returned alone.”
Mackenzie blurted, “We found the cattle rustlers, Papa.”
The earl’s head snapped toward Liam as he swung from the horse. “Is this true, Fraser?” her father demanded.
Liam nodded. “Aye. The men were a mile from here, between Newborne and Blackstone Abbey. They planned to lead the cattle to the abbey in the dead of night.”
“It’s true, Papa,” Mackenzie chimed in. “They sought to cast blame on Lord Liam and his comrades. I overheard them myself. They—”
“You overheard the men talking?” Lord Dunn pinned Liam with a scowl. “You took my daughter into a thieves’ den?”
“By God, I will put a bullet through his belly,” the thin, young man muttered.
“Lord Liam did not lead me into a thieves’ den,” Lady Mackenzie cut in.
The young man addressed Lord Dunn, “Perhaps, it is better if Lady Mackenzie retires to her chambers.”
“My affairs are none of your concern, Lord Gilford.” Mackenzie fisted her hands at her sides.
Lord Gilford pinned Liam with a glare and said, “I beg to differ, my lady. A man’s betrothed is always his concern.”
Betrothed?
It seemed that all the air rushed from Liam’s lungs.
He looked at Lady Mackenzie, then at Dunn. “I must be going. I must alert the constable to the rustlers’ whereabouts.”
He swung onto his horse and rode off at a canter without a backwards glance.
***
A shadow fell across Liam’s desk, but he didn’t look up from the drawings he’d been studying the past hour. He already knew the identity of the intruder. Only Kyla, his sister-in-law, walked with such a light step within the abbey’s stone walls.
“It is too late to be working.” Kyla seated herself on the chair against the wall to the right of his desk.
“There’s not enough time in the day to get all the work done,” he said without looking up.
His sister-in-law was a good soul, but she never visited him without a reason. She didn’t speak immediately, which could only mean whatever was on her mind was something she considered of the utmost importance.
“Ewan told me of Mallatratt’s attack this afternoon. I am relieved you are here, safe.” Her voice trembled.
Liam lifted his gaze to hers. “You are not to blame.”
She shook her head. “I cannot help but think otherwise.”
Of course, she’d take the matter to heart. “What does Ewan say?” he asked, gently.
Kyla sighed. “The same as you.”
“Ewan is usually right.”
She hesitated. “Lord Dunn is quite upset over his daughter’s involvement.”
Mackenzie. He’d tried everything in his power not to think of her the entire evening and with little success. He tamped down the fury that rose each time he recalled Mallatratt walking toward Lady Mackenzie. Because of him, she’d been in that situation. The man would have killed her and then some. He’d thought Lady Mackenzie nothing more than a beautiful spoiled girl…he was wrong.
Kyla’s eyes softened. “Thank God she was there.”
Liam looked up sharply.
At the sound of footsteps, they both turned as Ewan entered the room. Always a man of few words, he said nothing, but he didn’t need to. The smile he sent Kyla spoke volumes.
“I was just leaving.” Kyla rose and reached for his hand as he stopped before her.
Ewan ran his thumb over her hand. “I will join you, in a moment.”
Kyla smiled and turned to Liam. “I am grateful you’re safe.” Her gaze altered, and she added, “Both of you.”
Liam tensed. Could the woman read his soul?
When she left, Ewan arched a brow. “Both?”
Liam shrugged and turned back to his drawings. “Kyla is a romantic.”
“Does something lie between you and Dunn’s daughter?”
Trust Ewan to drive directly to the point. Liam gave an acid laugh. “You know better, Ewan. I could never attain a woman such as Lady Mackenzie.”
He winced inwardly. The indirectness of his reply provided more of an answer than if he’d simply said ‘yes’.
“They found the thieves,” Ewan said, and gratitude flooded Liam that his brother didn’t press the matter. “Mallatratt wasn’t among the rustlers.”
Liam raised his head. “He has fled Scotland, if he’s wise.”
“Aye,” Ewan agreed.
They exchanged a look, one in which Liam read his older brother’s concern. Wounded and branded a rustler, Mallatratt would be hellbent on revenge.
“If they find him, he will implicate Kyla’s father—and you—in Brodrick’s smuggling ring,” Liam said.
Ewan drew in a deep breath. “Aye. It is unlikely they will believe him. If need be, I will have a talk with Constable Hamilton. The Home Office will intercede if necessary.”
Liam grunted. “Our illustrious constable may not be pleased that your wife’s father successfully ran the smuggling ring for two years right under his nose.”
His brother grunted a laugh. “Let us hope he never has to know.” Ewan directed an inquiring gaze on the drawings spread out on the desk. “You have made progress.”
“I have decided to do as you suggest and return to university,” he said. He wasn’t aware until he’d said the words aloud that he’d finally made up his mind.
His brother crossed his arms and waited.
“God, Ewan, you dinnae make this easy,” Liam paused. “I cannot stay.”
He couldn’t be around Mackenzie anymore, not when she was out of reach. Even if by some miracle, her father would have agreed to their match, that possibility had slipped through his fingers. She was betrothed to another man, if one could call that fop, Lord Gilford, a man.
“I will go. Once Mallatratt is found,” he added the last in a rush.
Even if Mackenzie could never be his, he’d sure as hell see her safe before he left. He would move heaven and hell to locate Mallatratt before her wedding. He couldn’t see her give herself to the pasty-faced Gilford. God, what was her father thinking? Gilford couldn’t please a lass like Mackenzie. He’d thought her merely a spoiled goddess. He’d been wrong. She was a firebrand, willful, strong, yet so damned female. She’d molded to him perfectly. He could feel her breasts in his hands, so round, so firm as she’d arched against him. What he wouldn’t give to run his hands over those buttocks, in the naked flesh.
He inhaled.
Such thoughts were dangerous.
Liam drew his brows in a line. “I will see that the drawings for Dunn are complete before I go.” He turned to face his brother.
Ewan was gone.
Chapter Seven
Mackenzie stared up at the ceiling of her bedchambers. Downstairs, the clock chimed the midnight hour. She should be asleep, but how? She’d shot a man. Her heart pounded. She breathed deep. She hadn’t killed him—thank the Lord—though he deserved it. Her father said justice would see that he paid for his crimes. To her surprise, tears rose. She breathed deep again. There was no need to cry. She’d saved Liam. Then…he’d saved her. Saved her for what? Lord Gilford?
The warmth of Liam’s lips rose in memory. A flutter started deep in her belly. His long, tanned fingers had cupped her breast. She sat up, her heart beating wildly. According to Society, a man shouldn’t take such liberties. A proper lady would have slapped him across the face and demanded an apology. Instead, she wished mightily they had continued.
She swung her feet off the bed. “You’re in a pickle, Mackenzie,” she muttered as she padded to the window and peered out into the night.
What would it take for her father to send Lord Gilford packing? She could never marry the man. The thought of him touching her breasts as Liam had made her stomach roil. Before, she hadn’t wanted to wed him. Now, the marriage seemed a prison sentence.
Her father was the problem. Perhaps, in the morning, once his anger faded, she could make him see reason.
If not…
Kyla looked to the east, toward Blackstone Abbey.
She would convince her father. She had to.
The morning sun rose bright and warm, a welcome change from the rain and gloom of the past weeks.
“You have circles under your eyes, miss,” Jesse, her maid, clucked as she set down the tray beside Mackenzie’s bed.
Mackenzie groaned. She’d only just fallen asleep at dawn.
“It’s not surprising,” the maid continued, bustling about to draw back the curtains. “After the doings, yesterday.”
Mackenzie winced at the bright light, then realization dawned. Liam would arrive soon to train Freya. She wasn’t ready.
“Quickly, Jesse.” She threw the bedcovers aside. “My lavender muslin.”
“Lavender?”
“Aye.” She would wear her best dress and nothing more. After yesterday’s experience—and the night’s imaginings—she had to take her future into her own hands.
“I see.” Jesse grinned as she opened the armoire door. “Lord Gilford is here.”
Mackenzie jerked back as if she’d been slapped. Right. Lord Gilford. She had to rid herself of the man. But how? The thought kept her occupied as she dressed and completed her morning toilette. When she stood in front of the mirror to inspect her final reflection, she was no closer to an answer.
“You look beautiful, miss. Lord Gilford will stand in awe.”
Mackenzie grimaced.
She waited until Jesse gathered the breakfast tray and left the room before she hurried to the window. Liam would arrive soon, and she was still no closer to a plan. She’d no sooner finished the thought when she caught sight of his powerful figure astride his horse, emerging from the woodlands that bordered the abbey.
Now, there was a man, a real one, who could make her heart flutter. Would she ever tire of looking at him? She watched as he cantered down the carriage drive. This time, he didn’t head toward the stables, but stopped at the front door.
Her heart leapt into her throat. Was he there to escort her, properly, this time?
Unable to stop grinning like a fool, she skipped straight past her mirror, rushed from the bedroom and ran for the stairs. She nearly reached the foyer when she heard voices. Liam’s. The other belonged to Mister Dobbin. She paused and listened, hand resting over her heart in an attempt to slow its beat.
“Lord Dunn will see you now,” the butler said.
“Thank you,” came Liam’s reply.
Mackenzie’s euphoria punctured like a balloon. Her heart wanted to believe he’d come to ask for her hand. Her mind coolly informed her he’d arrived to tell her father what happened yesterday.
Perhaps, a glimpse of his face would indicate which. She sat on the stairs and pressed her face between the balusters in an attempt to see his expression, but she caught only the briefest view of his long legs striding across the foyer before he disappeared into the adjoining room. Mackenzie straightened. She simply had to hear the conversation. She jumped to her feet and jerked in surprise. Lord Gilford stood on the step beside her, his blond brow arched, his narrow nose held high.
“Lady Mackenzie,” he greeted, his manner the epitome of courtesy.
The man had never made her heart flutter. Perfect manners or no, she’d never spent the night imagining his hands on her breasts. “I am busy, Lord Gilford.”
Only the slight widening of his eyes betrayed his surprise. “I must speak with you, Lady Mackenzie.”
“Not now,” she replied curtly. “As I said, I am busy.”
She started to take a step down, but he maneuvered sideways to block her path. Mackenzie glanced up, surprised. She hadn’t thought he had it in him.
“I must insist.” He smiled.
His smile lacked truth warmth. Nothing like Liam’s.
She opened her mouth to insist that he leave her quite alone when her mother called from the hallway above, “Mackenzie, dear.”
Mackenzie grimaced.
“You and Lord Gilford must join us in the breakfast room.”
Mackenzie glanced up at her mother, who smiled down at her, then continued down the hallway and out of view. Mackenzie’s thoughts raced. While she could refuse Lord Gilford, her mother was harder to deny. Yet, the thought of sitting there, drinking tea and eating pastries, made her want to choke.
“I am ill,” she lied.
“Fraser’s fault,” Lord Gilford said.
Mackenzie tossed him a narrow-eyed scowl.
The man shrugged and sniffed, “For placing you in so much danger yesterday.”
Really, he was unbearable. Whatever was her father thinking? Such a namby-pamby fool could never be a suitable match for her.
“Excuse me.” Mackenzie pushed past him. She’d nearly reached the study when the door opened. She took two quick steps to the servants’ stairs and ducked into them. Quickly, Mackenzie peered around the edge in time to see Liam emerge from her father’s study. His grim, handsome face and the tense set of his shoulders told her all she needed to know. Her heart flopped. As she’d feared. He’d informed her father of her actions the day before.
Tears stung her lashes. Did their interlude on the horse mean nothing to him? Swallowing hard, she flattened against the wall and held her breath until Liam passed the stairs. She leaned forward just enough to watch until he disappeared down the hallway. She stepped from the stairs and took three quick paces toward him, then halted. Nae, the wiser choice would be to speak with her father before he shipped her off as Lord Gilford’s new bride.
Mackenzie spun and hurried to her father’s study. She halted on the threshold. Her father stood by the fire, every line of his body taut with anger. Mackenzie hesitated, then entered the study and closed the door behind her.
“Father?”
He turned, mouth grim. “That fool of a Fraser nearly got you killed. But no matter. He will be gone. Soon.”
“Gone?” Mackenzie gasped.
Her father didn’t seem to notice her response. “I thought better of him,” he continued. “I thought him a man capable of protecting the weak.”
Irritation rippled at the word ‘weak,’ but she understood her father’s intent well enough. Besides, she had a bigger concern than quibbling over insults.
“Where is he going?”
“Does it matter?” her father queried sharply.
“Yes, Papa. It does.”
“Far away is all I know, and, in this case, he cannot get far enough away to suit me,” her father growled. “A man who doesn’t protect the woman in his keeping is a fool, not a man. To let you ride so far, and straight into danger…” He expelled a long breath through his nose.
Mackenzie frowned. Let her ride? She’d gone riding of her own volition and happened upon Liam and the rustlers. Surely, he’d told her father the truth?
“Bloody hell, but I thought the man a better shot.” Her father snorted in disgust. “To have missed the thief at such close range. He should have shot him dead from the start. Now, God knows where the man is or what he will do.” Her father suddenly turned on her. “I will not have you riding, Mackenzie. You are to stay in the house until this matter is settled.”
“I will, Papa,” she murmured.
He shot her a suspicious glance. “Do you swear?”
“Yes,” she replied without hesitation. Now, for the truth. “I do not know what Lord Liam told you, but I rode out of Newborne on my own yesterday. He came looking for me. It was I who witnessed him being captured, and I shot the brigand. The thieves had knocked Lord Liam out. The thief intended to kill him.” It felt so good to speak the truth. “I would not let him die. I aimed and squeezed the trigger, just as you taught me.”
Her father simply stared.
She bit her lip and waited.
Finally, he said, “To your room. At once. And do not leave until I come to you.”
Mackenz
ie fled.
The following afternoon, Mackenzie paced her room. Her father had yet to speak with her. If he didn’t release her by dinnertime, she would sneak out—come what may. If Liam left—
She broke off the thought. She couldn’t consider the possibility. Surely, he wouldn’t leave so soon. What if he did? Her heart squeezed.
The bedroom door opened, and Mackenzie whirled as Jesse entered, a breakfast tray in hand.
“Your father says you’re permitted to attend the dinner party tonight.” She set the tray on the table near the hearth.
Mackenzie blew out a breath. “He cannot possibly still be angry that I saved a man’s life.”
“It isnae that, miss,” Jesse shot her a commiserative smile. “He believes you are not speaking the truth.”
Mackenzie frowned. “Why would I lie about anything so serious?”
The maid fidgeted and then said in a rush, “He’s convinced you’re lying to avoid your engagement to Lord Gilford, miss.”
She hadn’t considered that.
“I overheard…”
Mackenzie hurried to the maid and grasped her hands. “Tell me, Jesse. Please tell me, at once.”
She hesitated. “Lord Gilford’s of a mind that you could never shoot a man, miss.”
She wanted to shoot Lord Gilford. That would teach him not to say she couldn’t shoot a man.
“Tell me, Jesse, has Lord Liam been about? He is supposed to break Freya for me.”
Jesse shook her head.
Mackenzie stomach knotted. Had he left?
“But he will be here at the dinner party tonight, miss,” Jessie piped up. “Your mother made sure he was invited.”
Her heart soared. Mackenzie closed her eyes. Tonight, she would find a way to make him fall in love with her once and for all.
Chapter Eight
Liam stared out the window of his chambers, absently buttoning his shirt, while the setting sun bathed the hills a warm gold. He would miss the abbey. The constable had discovered that Mallatratt had purchased a ticket on a ship bound for Canada. Liam swore under his breath. The man had escaped justice, but, at least, he was gone from Mackenzie’s life.
Now, it was time for him to do the same.
