The crisp mountain air carried the scent of pine and gunpowder as the hunters gathered on the shooting range. Under the weight of dozens of curious stares, Sarah adjusted her grip on the rifle Zachary had handed her. Calm, composed, she lifted the weapon to her shoulder. Scarlett’s worried glance met hers, but Sarah gave a small reassuring nod before pulling the trigger. The crack split the silence. A clay pigeon shattered midair, fragments scattering like sparks against the blue sky. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Sarah didn’t pause. One by one, she hit each target with steady precision, her movements fluid, almost effortless. By the time the final pigeon burst into pieces, the audience erupted into murmurs of astonishment. Zachary clapped slowly, his smile sharpened by amusement. “Impressive. Miss Sanders, I believe you undersold yourself.” Heat crept into Sarah’s cheeks, though she masked it with a faint smile. “I told you—I can hunt.” Scarlett whooped beside her. “That’s my girl!” But not everyone shared the cheer. From the sidelines, James’s expression grew darker with every shot Sarah fired. Charlotte leaned closer to him, whispering something that made his jaw tighten further, though he said nothing. For the rest of the hunt, Sarah carried herself with quiet confidence, striking down her targets while ignoring the weight of James’s stare on her back. By the time the day drew to a close, even those who had whispered about her earlier now spoke with admiration. When the group returned to the lodge for the evening banquet, the atmosphere buzzed with talk of her performance. Servants moved through the hall, arranging platters of venison, goose, and wine. Sarah and Scarlett found seats near the window, their laughter soft but genuine. Across the room, James sat with Charlotte, his mood unreadable. The sight of Sarah surrounded by warm conversation and subtle respect gnawed at him, though he refused to admit it. The evening had only just begun when footsteps approached their table, and a stranger with bright, playful eyes appeared—carrying a perfectly roasted goose.