Page 31 of A Scoundrel’s Promise

His blood stirred. Such an infuriating woman. She stepped close, almost into his arms. Her heady scent tortured him. If he stayed a moment longer, he would never leave.

She isn’t yours, fool.

“Where is Freya?” he whispered.

Mackenzie glanced at the paddock. “She was here moments ago. I bid her good night.”

He scanned the fence, looking for any sign of breakage.

“Wait.” Mackenzie held up a hand. “Did you hear that?”

Liam stilled, then heard a horse whicker.

“There,” Mackenzie pointed to an outbuilding on the right. “Did she jump?”

Liam shook his head. “The fence is too high.”

“Then she is loose.” Mackenzie sprinted toward the outbuilding.

Liam hesitated, but when she vanished around the corner of the outbuilding, he set off after her. Why was he always running after this woman?

Mackenzie cried out. Liam broke into a run. He neared the building, then skidded to a halt. With one hand clamped over Mackenzie’s mouth, Mallatratt was dragging her toward his horse, behind which he’d tied Freya. Liam flattened his back against the building.

“Lady Mackenzie?” a man called.

Gilford.

And he was approaching the other side of the outbuilding.

“Mackenzie?” Lord Dunn shouted a second later.

The earl barreled around the opposite corner of the building with Lord Gilford at his side. Mallatratt released Mackenzie’s mouth and she screamed as he yanked a pistol from his waistband. Lord Dunn and Gilford halted when he jammed the pistol muzzle against Mackenzie’s head.

“One more step, and I will shoot your lovely daughter, Dunn.”

“Take anything you wish,” Lord Dunn held up his hands, palms out. “Anything.”

Mallatratt laughed. “I am of a mind to take your daughter, as well as the horse.”

Cold fury flashed over Liam, but he forced calm and eased around the building. He crept forward. Dunn didn’t give away Liam’s presence, but Gilford’s eyes widened. Mallatratt spun as Liam lunged. Mackenzie stomped on Mallatratt’s foot. The pistol arced up and fired. Mackenzie screamed. Liam nearly collided with Lord Gilford, who stampeded past like a terrified bull.

Liam rammed his fist into Mallatratt’s jaw. His head snapped back with an audible crack. Lord Dunn grabbed his daughter and pulled her to safety as Liam drove his fist into Mallatratt’s belly. The man squealed like a stuck pig. The scream died on the third blow as he went limp. Liam straightened, breathing heavily.

“Are you hurt?” Mackenzie broke free of her father’s grasp and threw herself into Liam’s arms. He held her close.

He ran his hands over her, ensuring himself she was whole. “Did he shoot you?”

“Nae, I am unharmed. What of you?”

Liam closed his eyes, heaved a breath of relief, and pressed his forehead against hers.

“Ahem.”

As Mackenzie stiffened, Liam lifted his head.

Lord Dunn stood a few yards away, his brows drawn in a hard line. Liam straightened and pulled Mackenzie against his side. The earl’s eyes flicked to Liam’s arm around Mackenzie’s waist. Half a dozen servants stampeded around the corner of the building.

“We heard gunfire,” one man said.