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Jackson knelt beside me, and he gently touched my shoulder. “You have a purpose greater than most could ever begin to dream of.”
I lifted my head and met his stare. The soft and supportive gaze had returned, replacing the exasperated expression he’d been giving me during our previous conversation. It seemed I would have to pretend—wear a mask—for Jackson, too.
My dreams would be my own—no one to share them with. I sighed internally, hoping and wishing, that one day, someone would understand why I felt trapped in the life I was born into. I had no desire to marry. Yet, I was being forced. Oh, the fake façade I donned each and every day was becoming tiresome. I wondered if there would be a day when I could finally be myself—just Ainsley.
He held out his hand and helped me rise from the ground.
“Lady Ainsley!” A shout startled me as it rose over the grassy knoll near my home. “Lady Ainsley!” The voice was shriller this time.
A woman in a pale-lilac ball gown was running and stumbling toward us.
“What in the skies name?” I squinted to make out who the woman was.
“It’s Maria,” Jackson said.
“Maria Vandarm?” My eyes widened—it was her. Our neighbor was tripping over her beautiful gown and screaming my name over the hillside.
I rushed toward her as Jackson jogged alongside me. “Maria, I’m here!” I shouted, wondering what on earth could have her traipsing out here, instead of making her final preparations for the ball.
“Lady Ainsley,” she panted, pulling in a deep breath, finally close enough where I could see the sheer panic on her face. She huffed and fell toward me, clutching my arm. “Lady Ainsley… come… now. Your father—”
I froze, and my entire body stiffened as the wind blew across the cliff once more. “My father? What’s wrong?” Without a thought other than the well-being of my father, I practically dragged Maria back down the hillside.
She clutched my arm once again, halting me abruptly to catch her breath. “Something happened, my Lady. Duke Langford… he’s collapsed. They’re having trouble reviving him.”
“Where?” Jackson questioned.
Maria drew in a sharp breath. “In the middle of the ballroom. They have sent for medical help, but—”
I didn’t wait to hear another word. Instead, I tore away from the woman’s grip and fled toward home.
