Page 19 of A Scoundrel’s Promise

“Good afternoon, my lady. I see you are dressed for riding.”

She smiled, pleased he’d noticed.

He strolled past her, leading the horse. “I know you do no’ mean to ride this mare today.”

Mackenzie’s smile vanished. Indeed, she had planned on riding Freya, but suddenly, she realized how foolish a notion that had been. The horse wasn’t at all ready.

“Of course not,” she fibbed. “I plan to ride one of the chestnuts.”

“Very wise.” He slowed and allowed Freya to walk close enough to sniff his shoulder.

“Wise?” Mackenzie repeated. He spoke as one would to a child.

Liam walked a little faster and the horse increased her pace to keep up with him without the lead going taut. “Aye, chestnuts tend to run tame,” he said in even tones.

“Tame?” Mackenzie repeated. “Have you forgotten I am a skilled horsewoman.”

“Of course,” he agreed in an indulgent tone.

Mackenzie’s temper flared. The man was patronizing her. Well, she would show him. She whirled and stalked to the stables.

“Joseph? Joseph?” she called.

A freckle-faced young man with a shock of red hair emerged from a nearby stall. “Lady Mackenzie?”

“I would like to go riding this morning. Saddle Archangel,” she ordered.

“Archangel, my lady?” Joseph was clearly taken aback. “Are ye sure? Your father’s horse?”

Must every man treat her like a child? “I am quite sure,” she said in a crisp voice. “Please, be quick. Oh, and not a sidesaddle.” She would break her neck riding sidesaddle on the spirited Friesian.

“No sidesaddle?” His mouth dropped open.

“Do I need to clean out your ears?” Mackenzie demanded. When he hesitated, she blew out a frustrated breath. “Step aside, then. I will saddle him myself.”

Joseph’s eyes widened. “Nae, Miss. I cannot allow that. I’ll be right quick.”

He spun and raced to the tack room to return a moment later, saddle in hands. At the third stall on the right, he dropped the saddle beside the stall, lifted the latch, then disappeared inside. Mackenzie walked to the stall as Joseph led Archangel out. The stunning Friesian was a powerful, nimble beast of pure black.

As Joseph busied himself with the saddle, Mackenzie patted the horse on the withers. He nickered and snuffled her hair.

“Ready, my lady,” Joseph finally said. He linked his hands together and waited.

Mackenzie stepped into his hands, swung her leg over the animal’s rump and settled in the saddle.

“Do you wish me to ride with ye, my lady?” the young man asked as he handed her the reins.

“Whatever for?” She dug her heels into the horse’s ribs.

Archangel sprang forward. An instant later, they broke from the stables. At the last possible second, she spied Liam in the paddock with Freya. He started to turn her way. Mackenzie snapped her head forward and hunkered down in the saddle.

A strand of hair flew across her face. Had she really set off without her hat? She laughed. No matter, most likely, she would have lost it in the wind of Archangel’s gallop. A sliver of guilt niggled. While her father hadn’t expressly forbidden her from riding Archangel, he most likely wouldn’t have allowed her. Though, surely, such a denial would be unfair. The horse was fast and high-spirited, but nothing she couldn’t control.

Mackenzie turned her face toward the scant sun and drank in what warmth seeped through the fast-moving clouds. The afternoon was glorious—even if it wasn’t quite going according to plan.

After a time, and with her temper finally cooling, she pulled back on the reins. The beast tossed his head and snorted, but he slowed.

She’d been a bit of a ninny in expecting to ride Freya, but Liam didn’t have to allow his thoughts on the matter to be known. A gentleman wouldn’t have…but then, she suspected Lord Liam didn’t always behave as a gentleman should. To her chagrin, the idea sent a thrill through her.