WM02 - Texas Princess by Jodi Thomas

friendly terms with Mr. Mc-Murray.” His words sliced the silence as he pul ed a heavy wooden chair out for her.
    Liberty ignored the chair, refusing to sit.
    She wasn’t sure if his comment was a question or a statement. Either way, she didn’t want to be interrogated about McMurray. She also had no doubt where Samuel got the information. What loyalty Stel a possessed had shifted. The little cook had become an informant.
    Samuel set his cup down careful y, not al owing even a slight click of china. “I’l not have you embarrassing me days before our wedding. I’ve made no secret of my plans one day to run for ofce. To do so I, and now you, must live a life that is above reproach.”
    Liberty raised her head as she faced him. “I plan to talk to my father as soon as he’s available. I hope I haven’t caused you any inconvenience, Captain Buchanan, but I’m afraid there wil be no wedding.” A clean cut seemed the only way to end it. He was not the man she thought him to be.
    To her shock, Samuel smiled. “Yes, my dear, there will be a wedding,” he answered calmly. “I feared this might be stewing in your thoughts since last night’s little spat. But I’ve taken steps to ensure that it’s too late to change your mind. Everything has already been set into action.” His laughter held no humor. “In fact, I think the wedding should happen sooner.”
    Liberty stood her ground. “As soon as Father is free from his meeting, I plan to tel him I wil not marry. No matter what he said, he won’t make me marry a man I have no wish to spend an evening with, much less a lifetime. And, sir, I’m afraid there is nothing you can do about the matter. I’m not a nervous bride. I’m not your bride at al .”
    Samuel moved, positioning himself between her and the door. “And what, pet, has brought on this sudden change of heart? One bothersome rancher? Maybe one too many riding lessons?”
    “Tobin has nothing to do with this.” She realized her mistake before the words died in the air.
    “Tobin?” Samuel smiled a smile she was beginning to hate. “I’l have to deal with Mr.
    McMurray later. He needs to learn a lesson.”
    “There wil be no later,” she answered, furious that he thought she’d be so easy to dismiss. “It’s time you and your men leave, Captain Buchanan. My father made his career as a soldier for years. I’m sure he can defend himself. We no longer need your guard, and I no longer wish to be in your company.” She’d man a gun herself and stand guard if it would cut this man out of her life faster.
    “You’re wrong, my dear.” Samuel stepped forward so suddenly, Liberty jumped backward. “You’l change your mind. You only need someone to guide you.”
    His arm went up. She thought he was reaching for her, but instead he shoved her.
    A moment later, her side slammed into the wooden arm of the chair, knocking the breath from her lungs. She stumbled backward more in shock than in pain and tripped over a footstool. The hard landing on her backside brought reality back in ful focus.
    Samuel towered over her. Hate ickered in his eyes an instant before he bowed and offered his hand. “I’m sorry. I tend to lose my temper, my love.” He laughed. “I never realized how clumsy you were.”
    Timidly, she took his hand and he pul ed her off the rug. Rage at the way he’d made his point infuriated her, but she held her tongue. Arguing with a man who would do anything to win could prove dangerous. Until this moment she hadn’t realized just how dangerous Captain Buchanan could be.
    Holding her side with one hand, Liberty almost had her footing when she saw him raise his free hand. There was no time to block. Nowhere to run. He slapped her hard across the face.
    She would have fal en backward again, only this time he had a rm grip on her.
    “You spoiled child. This time you’l not have your way.” The next slap, with the back of his hand, knocked her head back and she saw stars. “A