Page 25 of A Scoundrel’s Promise

He hardened his gaze. “That does not mean I want you taking such risks again.”

They stopped at the front door.

“The stables—” she insisted.

The front door flew open and Lord Dunn rushed out, a tall, thin young man with a jutting chin, close upon his heels.

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.”