Page 22 of A Scoundrel’s Promise

Chapter Five

Mackenzie had but one shot in the pistol. One shot. She had to make it count. She forced back the tears that threatened.

Liam isn’t dead, she told herself for the dozenth time. It was hard to reconcile that knowledge with the fear roaring through her as she watched the men drag him into the clearing.

Steady, she ordered herself.

She crouched lower behind the clump of alders as the men dropped Liam at the edge of the clearing and the man with the muttonchops raised his weapon.

She had no more time.

Mackenzie cupped the hand gripping her father’s pistol and aimed at the muttonchop whiskered man who leveled his revolver at Liam’s head. She squeezed the trigger as her father had taught her to do.

The gun roared. The man jerked and fell to the ground. She’d hit him! The other men scattered. The sheep bleated, and the cows mooed as they stampeded. The largest cow headed after one of the retreating men, trampling him underfoot as the remaining brigands leapt on their horses and raced away.

Thank God they are cowards.

Mackenzie rushed forward, letting her tears fall as she dropped to her knees at Liam’s side. The man she’d shot lay five feet away. Had she killed him? Despite her bravado, her hands shook as she laid her pistol on the ground and fumbled with Liam’s bonds. At last, she loosened the rope, then crawled around to face him. His head lolled to one side. How hard had they hit him? She pressed her ear to his chest. The powerful thump of his heartbeat released a fresh onslaught of tears.

He lived.

She straightened. It was far too dangerous to leave him alone and ride for help. The brigands might return. She had to wake him. To her right, the man she’d shot groaned. Mackenzie snapped her head in his direction. So, he wasn’t dead. She spotted his revolver still in his grasp. Her heart raced. She had to take the weapon before he awoke.

Still on her knees, she inched closer, stomach churning. He stirred. Mackenzie lunged for the revolver, seized the weapon, and pushed to her feet. The weapon felt heavy compared to the small pistol she’d used. Trembling, she stumbled back a pace, willing Liam to wake as the man groaned again.

Something rustled behind her. She spun to face the sound and glimpsed a rider among the trees. Had the brigands returned? The urge to cry rushed to the surface, again. Nae, that would show a weakness that would get her and Liam killed. She hurried back to Liam. If only he’d wake and—

Suddenly, the man rolled over and sat up. Blood stained his left shoulder. She really had shot him. Bile rose in her throat.

“What the bloody hell happened?” He frowned in confusion.

Mackenzie drew a shaking breath. “I shot you,” she said in a steadier voice than she thought herself capable.

“The devil you did,” the man objected, then looked at his shoulder. With furrowed brows, he looked at her again. “Why did ye shoot me?”

“Because you were going to shoot Lord Liam.”

“Why should you care?” He attempted to rise.

“Do not move,” Mackenzie ordered.

God help her, when was Liam going to wake up?

The man snorted. “Do you plan to finish the job?”

“I will if you get up,” she snapped.

He shifted onto his knees. “Why don’t you run along home, girl, and leave these matters to us men?” With a grunt, he lurched unsteadily to his feet.

Mackenzie retreated a step before she could stop herself.

“You’d best not let me catch you, lass,” he threatened as he stumbled forward.

Mackenzie raised her shaking hands and pointed the gun once more.

He unexpectedly pitched forward. Liam shoved to his knees as the man hit the ground. With a roar, Liam struck the brigand a vicious, bone-cracking blow. The man’s legs went limp.

Mackenzie burst into tears. Liam yanked her to the ground and seized her revolver. She cried out as he swung the gun toward the forest behind her and onto the rider who burst through the trees. She jerked in unison with the thunder of the weapon. The man dropped from his horse ten feet away and the animal raced past them.