Page 20 of A Scoundrel’s Promise

The gentlemen she knew bored her. Lord Gilford, in particular. Her thoughts chilled. Her parents obviously wished her to announce her engagement at the upcoming party. If she were forced to accept Lord Gilford, the party would be the beginning of her prison sentence instead of the opening of the happiest chapter in her life.

She closed her eyes.

If only she could get Lord Liam to fall in love with her before then. If only she could announce him as her future husband.

Mackenzie opened her eyes and scowled. She certainly wasn’t off to an auspicious beginning.

***

Liam watched Lady Mackenzie break into a gallop astride the spirited Friesian. At least she’d had the good sense to forego the sidesaddle. Did Dunn really allow her to run so wild? The wee fool would break her neck.

The wind whipped the hem of her dress, allowing him a fine view of her slim calf. He clamped his jaw. While she deserved whatever lesson she might learn by riding off alone, some men went wild upon the sight of such an ankle.

“Bloody hell,” he swore as he removed the Arabian’s lead. He set off for the stables at a run, shouting, “Joseph, where are you?”

The young man met him at the stable doors, shovel in hand. “Aye, my lord?”

“Where is Lady Mackenzie off to?” he demanded.

“A morning ride, she said.”

“You let her go on that horse and alone?” Liam grated.

The lad’s eyes widened. “I told her Lord Dunn wouldnae like her riding Archangel.”

“Archangel?” Liam blurted. “Aptly named, I wager. She’ll likely break her neck. Where is my horse?”

“The last stall on the right.” Joseph pointed.

Liam strode toward the stall. “Bring my saddle.”

Five minutes later, Liam set out in the direction Mackenzie had gone. Seeing no sign of her in the open fields, he urged his mount toward the woodlands at a gallop. Riding that horse in the woods was simply asking for trouble, and the fact she’d reached the line of trees so quickly meant she’d galloped across the field at an obscene speed.

He approached the edge of the forest, slowed, and scanned for signs of the direction she’d taken. With Blackstone Abbey to the east and Redview to the west, she’d most likely headed north where she wouldn’t encounter another home for at least five miles.

Was she really accustomed to riding alone off her father’s land? At least before, she’d ridden with a friend.

Liam spotted horse prints, massive ones, and dismounted to examine them. They were fresh and, as suspected, headed north. He vaulted back into the saddle and urged his mount into the trees. When he found her, he was sorely tempted to bend her over his knee and paddle her pretty bottom. What would she think of that? His blood stirred at the thought.

The woods soon thinned to provide a view of open country with no sign of the lass. Perhaps he’d erred. He started to wheel his horse around when he caught a movement to the east. Three riders. If Mackenzie had ridden in that direction, she would have met them.

He kicked his horse into a gallop across the open country. The men vanished into the forest. Minutes later, Liam reached the trees and slowed as he entered the forest. The lowing of cattle filtered through the trees. Liam brought his horse to a halt. Who had cattle in these parts? Angus McPhee owned two hundred acres, but his land was another mile to the west. Had some of his cattle strayed too far?

He caught the murmur of voices. Liam dismounted, tied his horse securely to the nearest tree, then crept toward the voices. He spied a small clearing ahead with cattle roped in the center of the clearing. Four men were engaged in an angry exchange of words. Liam eased closer behind a wide oak. Here were the cattle rustlers, and foolish ones, to have not immediately driven their ill-gotten gains a safe distance away.

He scrutinized the men, but to his surprise, Mallatratt wasn’t among them. Perhaps he and Ewan had erred in judgement. What would Pettigrew think when he learned the rustlers were camped right under his nose? Liam imagined the look on Pettigrew’s face when he learned that Liam had discovered the true rustlers.

At least Lady Mackenzie hadn’t ridden this far. She was likely headed back to Newborne. Still, when he got his hands on her, he would give her a good spanking.

The cool barrel of a revolver suddenly dug into the back of his neck. He froze for several heartbeats. Then the barrel withdrew and leaves rustled. Liam slowly turned.

Mallatratt stood five feet away, the revolver pointed at him.

“What do you want,” Liam asked.

Mallatratt laughed. “By tonight, all will believe the Beasts of Blackstone Abbey are nothing but common thieves.”

“You plan on driving the cattle onto our land, under cover of darkness?”