Page 10 of A Scoundrel’s Promise

Chapter Three

“Have you lost your senses?” Cora demanded when Mackenzie closed the door to her chambers. “Inviting him to a party? What party, by the way? I don’t recall receiving an invitation for a party.”

Mackenzie stripped off her pelisse and tossed it over a nearby chair, then flopped down on the settee near the window and began unlacing her boots. “That is because there is no party—yet.”

“What?” Cora hurried to the settee and sat beside her. “You invited him to a party that does not exist? You have lost your senses. Your parents will never allow you to attend a dinner party with only that gentleman in attendance.”

“Do not be ridiculous.” Mackenzie set aside her right boot and began unlacing the left. “There will be many other guests.”

“Many other guests at a party that is less than a week away? And what of your mamma? She will never agree to host a party so soon. We both know how much she prides herself on hosting good parties.” Cora shook her head. “That fall from your horse addled your brains. We must call a doctor.”

Mackenzie got the second boot off, then stood and began unbuttoning her dress. “Come, you must change into a dress. You know that blue linen of mine you love so well? You can wear that one.”

Cora shook her head. “I must return home.”

“Can you not hear the pounding of the rain on the window? If the rain doesn’t stop, you will be forced to stay the night.”

“Mamma will worry.”

“She will not, as you know full well. You always stay when the weather is bad.”

Cora remained motionless, her mouth a thin line.

Mackenzie sat beside her. “He is frightfully handsome. Do you not agree?”

“There are plenty of handsome men around.”

“True, but few as handsome as he. And he was wearing his kilt. Did you see his calves?”

Cora looked at her, eyes narrowed. “That is very naughty of you, Mackenzie. A lady is not supposed to look at a man’s legs.”

“It is hard not to see them when they are in plain sight,” she replied. “Our parents would have us act as if we are stupid and do not have eyes.”

“His calves were well formed,” Cora admitted.

Mackenzie’s eyes sparkled. “It would be exciting to see all his companions at the party, all dressed in kilts.”

Cora rolled her eyes. “This plot is precarious, even for you. How do you expect to talk your mother into hosting a party six days hence?”

She grinned. “You are going to help me.”

Fifteen minutes later, Mackenzie strolled into the Gold Parlor, arm linked with Cora’s. Mackenzie’s mother sat at a card table with three other ladies. By the looks of the cards, she guessed they played whist, but they held the cards loosely in their hands and were clearly more interested in talking—gossiping, to be more precise.

Mackenzie and Cora approached the table and her mother looked up. “Dears, how lovely to see you.”

Mackenzie released Cora and they both curtsied.

“I am relieved to see that you arrived home before the rain,” her mother said. She smiled. “Cora, I suspect you will be staying the night.”

“I hope you ladies do not plan to brave this rain,” Mackenzie said.

“Absolutely not,” her mother said. “I have already instructed Dobbin to prepare rooms for my guests.”

Mackenzie was not the least bit surprised. Nearly empty sherry glasses sat before each of the ladies. If she knew her mother—and she did—those were their second glasses of the sweet liquor.

“I am relieved,” Mackenzie said. “Are you ladies taking this opportunity to plan Saturday’s party?”

“Party?” Lady Richards said.