Page 29 of A Scoundrel’s Promise

“Yes,” she replied without hesitation. Now, for the truth. “I do not know what Lord Liam told you, but I rode out of Newborne on my own yesterday. He came looking for me. It was I who witnessed him being captured, and I shot the brigand. The thieves had knocked Lord Liam out. The thief intended to kill him.” It felt so good to speak the truth. “I would not let him die. I aimed and squeezed the trigger, just as you taught me.”

Her father simply stared.

She bit her lip and waited.

Finally, he said, “To your room. At once. And do not leave until I come to you.”

Mackenzie fled.

The following afternoon, Mackenzie paced her room. Her father had yet to speak with her. If he didn’t release her by dinnertime, she would sneak out—come what may. If Liam left—

She broke off the thought. She couldn’t consider the possibility. Surely, he wouldn’t leave so soon. What if he did? Her heart squeezed.

The bedroom door opened, and Mackenzie whirled as Jesse entered, a breakfast tray in hand.

“Your father says you’re permitted to attend the dinner party tonight.” She set the tray on the table near the hearth.

Mackenzie blew out a breath. “He cannot possibly still be angry that I saved a man’s life.”

“It isnae that, miss,” Jesse shot her a commiserative smile. “He believes you are not speaking the truth.”

Mackenzie frowned. “Why would I lie about anything so serious?”

The maid fidgeted and then said in a rush, “He’s convinced you’re lying to avoid your engagement to Lord Gilford, miss.”

She hadn’t considered that.

“I overheard…”

Mackenzie hurried to the maid and grasped her hands. “Tell me, Jesse. Please tell me, at once.”

She hesitated. “Lord Gilford’s of a mind that you could never shoot a man, miss.”

She wanted to shoot Lord Gilford. That would teach him not to say she couldn’t shoot a man.

“Tell me, Jesse, has Lord Liam been about? He is supposed to break Freya for me.”

Jesse shook her head.

Mackenzie stomach knotted. Had he left?

“But he will be here at the dinner party tonight, miss,” Jessie piped up. “Your mother made sure he was invited.”

Her heart soared. Mackenzie closed her eyes. Tonight, she would find a way to make him fall in love with her once and for all.