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“Challenge accepted upon your return.” Jackson waggled his brows and slung his arm around my shoulder. “Regardless of your choice, Ainsley, I will love you until my dying day.” He then pressed a kiss to my cheek.
I could feel the sudden burst of heat creeping into my face. “I love you, too. Now, do you want to help me prepare for my trip? Or are you still planning to stop me?” I lifted a challenging brow in question.
“Although I want you to stay, I could never keep you here.” Jackson shot me a wide grin. “What do you have in mind?”
“I need a disguise. Something that sets me apart from Lady Ainsley, preferably more of the pirate variety.”
His gaze sparkled with mischief. “I know just the thing.”
“Lead the way, my rabble-rouser.” I grinned in return, left my mother’s chambers, and followed him through the corridor.
Jackson and I fled downstairs and past the kitchen, then up the stairwell toward the servants’ quarters. “Where are you taking me?”
“It’s a place I used to hide…treasures when I was younger. You’re not the only one with secrets.”
What could I possibly say to that? “Oh,” was all that fell from my lips. We continued on and up into the attic space. I hadn’t been up here at all since we had been children. I scarcely remembered it until Jackson opened the old, weathered door. It was a bit stuffy in the room, and he ran to either side to open the small windows and air out the space. The fresh breeze could be felt immediately. I glanced around in awe and wonder. Jackson had kept everything from our childhood: trinkets, old toys, everything Mother and Father had ever given him that he had outgrown, and even my dresses, and Father’s old clothes hung up neatly in an antique wardrobe.
Covering my mouth with my hands, a few tears slid down my cheeks as I walked about the room, touching and marveling at all that Jackson had treasured over the years. Loved enough to maintain each piece in a hidden space where we had played as children.
Jackson truly did love me.
I turned to him. “This is wonderful. I don’t rightly know what to say. You have kept everything.”
He shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Yes, I did. Reminders and mementos of our lives together, the life your parents chose to give me instead of allowing me to live next door, unloved, and in solitude.”
“Oh, Jackson.” I went to him and cupped his cheek. “You will always be loved.”
He rested his hand against mine. “I want to join you on this journey, wherever that may be. If you must go, I will go as well.”
Shaking my head, I searched his gaze. “As much as I would enjoy your company, this is something I must do on my own. Father. I…” I trailed off and dropped my hand.
He inhaled a shaky breath and stepped away. “I understand. Now, for your disguise.”
At this, I lifted my head. “Yes, what do you have in mind?”
Heading to the wardrobe, Jackson rifled through its contents until he came upon a pair of brown trousers. They appeared as riding trousers, though. I could make them work. I did not need to be swimming in my father’s clothing. Next, he pulled out a white tunic and a brown leather vest that appeared much like a damnable corset, but again, I could make it work. And, the most beautiful fabric I had ever seen! It was red-and-white striped but felt silken to the touch.
This was perfect. I could make several garments from this. Once Jackson had procured various tunics and two more pair of nearly identical trousers, we were all set. At least I thought we were.
From the top shelf of the wardrobe, Jackson carefully removed a small black box. “Open it.”
I stared at him in awe.
“Go on.” He nodded and placed it in my hands. “You don’t have much time.”
With trembling fingers, I removed the lid and my mouth dropped open. I snapped my gaze to his. “You bought these for me? Truly? But you said… You…” I was at a loss for words.
He had just given me a pair of brass flying goggles to wear, fitted with black leather. The same ones I would need while flying aboard a sky ship in search of Silverthorne.
Yet, he could not have known.
Jackson had only known of my dreams, and because he loved me, he wanted me to be prepared—just in case.
Deep down, he must have known all along I would leave Rookhallow Proper. But how?
