Page 8 of A Scoundrel’s Promise

Liam remained standing.

“Mackenzie, sit down. You are forcing Lord Liam to stand,” the viscount said.

“Of course, Papa.”

To Liam’s surprise, she sat on the chair to the right of her father.

She looked at Lady Cora, who remained rooted to the carpet. “Sit down, Cora.”

The lass blinked. “Nae. I-I should return home.”

Mackenzie frowned. “It is pouring outside. You cannot leave until it stops raining.”

Cora yanked her wide eyes onto Liam. “I— Then… Well, I think we should go to your chambers, Mackenzie.”

“But we have a guest.”

“Guest?” Lady Cora repeated with such apprehension that it took all of Liam’s willpower not to laugh.

Mackenzie smiled innocently at him, then her eyes shifted to the drawing her father studied. “Did you draw this, sir?”

“I did.”

“It is quite good.”

He lifted a brow in surprise. “Do you understand engineering, my lady?”

Her cheeks pinked prettily. “Nae, but I have eyes. The dimensions are perfect.”

Liam wasn’t certain if she really knew anything about numbers or she was simply flirting with him. He angled his head and said, “Thank you.”

“How long will it take to build the new stable?” she asked.

“Two months, I wager,” he replied. “Once the materials arrive, at any rate.”

Her gaze sharpened on him, and he tensed in readiness for whatever plot had clearly taken form.

“Will you be attending the party Mama is hosting next weekend?” she asked.

“Party?” he repeated. “I think not, my lady.”

“Why ever not?” she demanded. “Mama’s parties are the finest outside of Inverness.”

“I imagine the party is for your mother’s closest friends,” he said. “Quite understandable, of course.”

“Nonsense.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Everyone in the area is invited. Oh dear.” Her eyes widened. “You did receive an invitation?”

“As I said, the party is likely for Lady Dunn’s closest friends.”

She looked at her father. “Papa, I am correct, am I not? Lord Liam should have received an invitation?”

“Of course,” the viscount replied, clearly distracted.

Liam wondered if the man had heard his daughter’s question.

“Everyone at Blackstone Abbey is invited, of course,” Mackenzie continued as she faced him once more. “I helped Mama write the invitations.” She frowned. “Mama will have to have a talk with Mister Dobbins to discover why our invitations are not reaching everyone. I wonder if there are others who did not receive them.”

“You need not worry on that account,” Liam said. “I feel certain everyone who should have received an invitation has received one.”