Once Upon a Lady (The Soul Mate Tree Book 8)

by Addie Jo Ryleigh

  If Jackson’s tale proved true, the tree’s purpose was to deliver her soul mate. Despite her heart lying crumpled at her feet, she knew it had.

  If she’d met Jackson sooner, before she’d become betrothed to Blackthorn, things could have been different.

  He never fought for you.

  The stark truth cut into her. Jackson hadn’t fought for her. Nor had he spoken of love.

  Maybe they were star-crossed. Or perhaps he was her soul mate but she wasn’t his. A twist in the fates.

  Either way, she couldn’t go back. She wasn’t the same person now. She could only go forward, even if she’d be traveling there alone.

  She turned to Blackthorn. “I need to speak with my father.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “I forbid it,” her father roared as he stood like stone beside his desk.

  “You can’t force me to marry Blackthorn,” Kate replied with as much calm as she could muster.

  “Be damned if I can’t. I’m your father.”

  “Even if you could, I wouldn’t agree to it,” Blackthorn cut in.

  Kate had given Blackthorn the chance to flee to safety. If she was going to claim her future, she needed to start doing it. Hiding behind Blackthorn wouldn’t always be possible; why start now? The man had been too stubborn, or maybe too chivalrous, to abandon her.

  Father fixed his glare on Blackthorn, but when the younger duke held his regard, her father whirled and barked at her. “I’ll disown you. No man will have you without a dowry. Especially your commoner.”

  Kate quelled the urge to snort. If he disowned her, finding a husband was the smallest of her worries. Nevertheless, her sisters wouldn’t spurn her, though she would hate to impose on them. Once she reached her majority at one and twenty, she would be granted access to her aunt’s bequest.

  Casting her out would cause a scandal, Kate had no doubts there. If Father agreed to let the betrothal end quietly—private to begin with—everyone’s reputations could escape unscathed. Disowning her would amount to ruination, and the family title tarnished because of it.

  The only thing her father hated more than disobedience was a scandal.

  Kate infused her voice with steel. “I’m not marrying Blackthorn,” she repeated.

  “And I won’t marry Kate,” Blackthorn added.

  If it wouldn’t give her father hope, she’d squeeze Blackthorn’s hand in gratitude.

  Father’s jaw went slack as he continued to gape at their united front. No doubt, he’d find a way to punish her as soon as Blackthorn took his leave. For now, she stood strong.

  “You are too much like your mother,” he spat.

  Well, that isn’t a compliment.

  Blackthorn stepped forward. “Kate and I will remain friends and continue to be seen in each other’s company now and then. Society will eventually stop speculating on our supposed betrothal. There will be no damage to Kate’s reputation.”

  Fists clenched in anger, her father’s cheeks flushed dark red. “If I could disown you without damaging the title, believe me, I would,” he sneered, leaning over his desk. “I’ll just find someone willing to marry you, and be done with it.”

  Kate’s heart dropped. She’d thought she’d be free.

  “Try it and I’ll ruin you.” Blackthorn’s vow rumbled harshly. Kate spun to face him. Where had the gentle, friendly duke gone?

  His eyes snapped, pure frost. “I don’t often sink to such depths but if needed, I’ll use all my power to lay you low.”

  “I’m a duke!” her father blustered, fist banging on his desk.

  “I’m a younger, much more accomplished duke. Don’t underestimate my reach.”

  “Of all the—”

  Blackthorn cut him off. “It will be a mistake to doubt me.” He paused, allowing the threat to sink in. “Kate will go about her life. Marry whom she wishes.”

  “I should never have agreed to your courtship.”

  “But you did and in doing so, solidified a champion for your daughter.”

  She should step in, say something in her defense. But Kate had nothing to trump what Blackthorn had threatened. The weight of a duke was more ponderous than an unmarried lady.

  “If you are willing to defend her, why not marry her?”

  “She does not wish marriage to me, a decision I respect.”

  Kate bit her lip worriedly as the men continued to eye each other. If her father wouldn’t back down, what would she do?

  When he broke and looked away first, she breathed easier.

  “I want your word before I leave,” Blackthorn insisted.

  Silence met his request as the two dukes glared and postured.

  “She will need to marry,” her father at last countered.

  “If she finds a man of her choosing.”

  Kate’s head spun at their heated exchange, her resentment building at being discussed as if she were invisible. Blackthorn meant well, but she wouldn’t promise her father anything. Not when her only desire was to sneak way and mend the brokenness lingering after witnessing Jackson with another woman.

  The vision of Lady Somerby, adoring his half-naked body that first night, remained burned into her memory. But the thought of him courting Lady Betsey, of him offering the woman what he denied Kate, crushed her.

  Yet her father had a valid argument. A lady’s purpose was to marry. She simply wished to allow her heart to lead her, rather than the demands of duty.

  Kate found her voice, and her courage. “Father, I do wish to marry.” She hesitated when his stern frown locked on her. “Someday. Just not today.”

  “Your sisters never gave me this much trouble,” he fumed.

  Witnessing the affection between her sisters and their respective spouses, Kate knew if they’d been asked to marry anyone else, a fight would have ensued.

  With Blackthorn’s support and approval, she’d pled her case. All she could do was wait.

  Her father pushed up from the desk. “I don’t respond to threats, Blackthorn.”

  “Don’t see it as a threat.” Blackthorn affected a shrug.

  His lips tight, her father’s stony regard swung between her and Blackthorn. “I will relent, since it is clear the two of you refuse to honor your agreement.” His blunt finger stabbed in her direction. “I’ll give you one year to find a husband. If you don’t, I will.”

  Blackthorn stepped forward but Kate stalled him, a hand to his arm. A year’s reprieve was beyond generous when applied to her father.

  And one year closer to accessing her inheritance.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to see to.” Not waiting for a response, her father stalked from the room.

  Blackthorn turned to her. “I couldn’t be certain, did that go well?”

  Laughter bubbled in her throat for the first time in hours. “Sadly, yes, it went about as well as expected.”

  “Are you pleased?”

  “Surprisingly, I am.” She hadn’t known what to expect when she’d approached Father. Could have gone horribly worse.

  “Will he keep his word?”

  She quickly offered reassurance. “He will. He is a hard man but an honest one. Especially before another peer. He will keep appearances. It might not have shown, but he took your threat to heart.” She clasped his hand between hers. “I still don’t know how to thank you enough.”

  When he gave her a genuine smile, she felt a shiver of sadness knowing she couldn’t love this man as he deserved.

  He lifted their entwined hands and brushed a light kiss over her knuckles. “Just promise me you’ll be happy.”

  An unwelcome vision of Jackson and Lady Betsey flashed before her, but she held on to her confidence. “I will.”

  If she fibbed a bit,
no one would know. Except me.

  Chapter 23

  After returning Lady Betsey home, every impulse Jackson possessed petitioned for him to find Kate. To rush to her and defend his actions.

  Thankfully, common sense prevailed. God only knew how big of a fool he’d have made of himself. The woman was promised to another man. What could he possibly say that she’d want to hear?

  Needing to escape, he’d gone to the one place he could be himself. Willie’s ship.

  Only it lacked its usual welcome. The unsteady floor didn’t ease his troubles. The sounds of the dock didn’t wash away the world.

  And Willie’s gruff jubilance irritated greatly. “Why are you punishing me with your sour face?” he finally prodded.

  “Do you have an objection to my presence?” Jackson’s ire increased with each word he bit off.

  “Generally, no. Today, yes.”

  Jackson slumped in his chair. If there was ever a place he felt welcomed, this was usually it.

  Except not right now, damn it.

  Willie’s direct stare challenged Jackson to argue. “What makes today different?”

  The old man didn’t hesitate. “You don’t want to be here.”

  Jackson lifted a brow. “And where exactly do I wish to be?”

  “Don’t be a fool, boy. We both know where. Sharing my unpleasant company isn’t it.”

  Dreading the answer, Jackson remained silent.

  “Fine, be a fool. Makes no difference to me.” Willie reached for the drink sitting on his desk, dismissing Jackson.

  His world was spiraling out of control. He hated these unknown feelings, churning in his gut.

  “You won’t be happy until you speak your mind, old man,” he spat.

  Glass almost to his lips, Willie met Jackson’s glare. “I don’t think you are ready to hear it. You wouldn’t be here if you were.”

  “Damn it! Out with it.”

  As calm as ever, Willie savored the last of his daily rum, spiking Jackson’s fury tenfold.

  He pushed himself to his feet, intent on working off his anger on deck, when Willie’s voice stopped him cold. “Why can’t you admit you love her?”

  Jackson sucked in a harsh breath. “What do you blather about now?”

  “Lady Katherine Baxton, youngest daughter to the Duke of Cosgrove. You should be more discreet.” It was as if Willie challenged him to deny the claim.

  After years of striving for the very thing almost in his grasp—an ownership in Willie’s seafaring venture—Jackson found himself fighting to protest the man’s accusation.

  Only his heart balked.

  Time to admit defeat? Yes, except it didn’t feel like he’d lost. His prior life might have held the promise of foreign lands but it had lacked what made him whole . . . Kate.

  Did he desire her? Yes.

  Did he crave her? Yes.

  Did he love her? His chest thumped with every beat of his heart, as if trying to answer for him.

  Yes.

  “Yes,” he murmured aloud.

  “At last you found a grain of sense.”

  Lost in his revelation, Jackson vaguely registered Willie’s smug words. He waved off the old man’s glee. “She isn’t mine to have.” The truth of it was a joy-crusher.

  “And just like that, you’ve once again become an idiot.” Willie released a disgusted snort. “Start acting like a man and take what you want.”

  Jackson’s lips parted to defend himself but Willie wasn’t done. “When I agreed to go into business with you, I did so believing you were a man who knew what he wanted and went after it. The seas aren’t akin to a simple stroll in the park. It takes daring and heart. Two things you are currently lacking.”

  Enough was enough. Jackson curled his hands into fists, ready to brawl. “I’m more than ready to take on whatever is thrown at me.”

  “Then why are you here with me and not with her?”

  No fight left, Jackson fell back into his chair. “She is promised to a duke, for God’s sake. I have nothing to give her.”

  “Except love,” Willie pointed out. “You can give her love.”

  He fiddled with his empty glass, then gestured toward the open sea. “I married this ship years ago. She is my life. Your heart is no longer on this ship.”

  “But—”

  “If you pursue her and she denies you, I’ll be here, this ship will be here. If you do nothing and let her blindly marry Blackthorn—yes, I know about him—my deal is off the table. I need a partner who will fight for what he wants. Not skulk away like a scared little boy.”

  Utterly defeated, Jackson had nothing left but the truth. “Love can’t provide for her.”

  “You aren’t without means.” A smile spread across Willie’s bearded face. “You are the partner in a very profitable shipping business after all.”

  “If Kate will have me, I won’t sail with you. I couldn’t ask that of her.”

  “As you enjoy pointing out, I’m not a young man. As much as I’d like to live forever just to befuddle your life, there will come a day my love will need to have a new owner. There are no other hands I’d want her in besides yours. You don’t need to sail her, just look after her.”

  Overwhelmed, Jackson sat up in his chair.

  Willie mimicked his action, elbows resting on his desk. “When you first came to me, you needed my ship for an escape. I wanted to give that to you. Now you need her for other reasons. I’d like to give that to you, too.”

  Jackson’s friendship with Willie hadn’t been filled with open affection but there was no denying their bond. Hearing Willie echo the sentiment, sent a wave of power through Jackson. Maybe, just maybe, he could have everything.

  And there was nothing he wanted more than Kate by his side . . . forever.

  Chapter 24

  Where do I go when I’m finally granted the freedom to be myself?

  Kate slowly pushed open the iron gate leading to the grove behind the Mosley’s residence. No longer a dutiful daughter, starting today she was taking back her life, her future.

  “I hope Jackson’s nan has the right of it,” she muttered as she stepped through the gate and onto the stone path. Moonlight provided light to see by while the night shielded her identity if anyone were to spy her. She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders, wishing she’d thought to procure a cloak which would have afforded her a better disguise. Sporting a head to toe shroud while creeping about at night seemed more fitting.

  Unable to recall the exact location of the tree, Kate’s hastily conceived plan consisted of winding her way through the grove, in hopes she’d stumble upon it. Far from brilliant, but she was desperate.

  The night stymied her at every turn, for the further she ventured into the grove, the more the trees obscured the moonlight, casting her in deeper darkness. Drat. She should have risked the chance of discovery and brought a lantern. Now, she was unsure of each step with no light to guide her.

  Undeterred, she slowed and concentrated on her remaining senses. The continued crackle of pebbles underfoot proved she hadn’t ventured from the path. The constant feel of open air ensured there was nothing before her to walk into. To be safe, she waved her arms back and forth. She wanted to find the tree, not smash face-first into it.

  After shuffling for a few minutes, Kate’s fortitude wavered. What if she couldn’t locate the tree? Doubtful it sat about, waiting to be found. That first night, she’d stumbled upon it by accident. As ridiculous as it sounded, it must have placed itself in her path.

  Did it even appear in the same place twice? She should have pressed Jackson for more answers. Kate paused as the night loomed all around her. Should she turn back? She’d hadn’t veered from the original path. If she retraced her steps, she’d find th
e gate. She could return home.

  And then what?

  Lacking answers, the quiet sounds of the night encroached, along with the feeling she had trekked miles from London. She closed her eyes, embracing the sensation. After all, she would need to acquaint herself with remoteness, if forced to live out her days as a spinster. With no tree and no epiphany regarding Jackson, the prospect might be the only option left.

  That’s it? You are going to give up?

  Prepared to answer with a resounding ‘yes,’ Kate remembered her vow to Blackthorn. She’d promised to find happiness.

  She owed it not only to him but to herself. In fact, why was she looking for a tree, magical or not? She needed to go to the source . . . Jackson. It was he, a flesh and blood man, whom she loved. If he didn’t love her in return, she deserved to hear the words from his lips.

  If he proved to be nothing more than a scoundrel intent on getting her into his bed, she would force him to admit his deceit. His father’s house wasn’t far. He could be there now, harboring the very confession she needed to hear. Good or bad.

  She might be reckless but foolish, Kate wasn’t. It was time to return to the street.

  Appearing on Jackson’s doorstep, unchaperoned, in the middle of the night, would be ruinous. Thankfully she had time to think of a solution, because she would not retreat without speaking to Jackson.

  Clutching her shawl, Kate turned—only to lose her breath in a gasp when a break in the darkness exposed the dark shadow of a man blocking the path.

  Her frozen stance mirrored the immobile figure, as if he didn’t know what to do with her. Considering she was trespassing, she wasn’t about to linger and find out.

  Which way to turn? Flee further into the darkness? Dart past the intruder? Considering her athletic abilities were average at best, she’d place her bet on the darkness behind her.