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  Once A Lady

  JR Salisbury

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be sold, copied, distributed, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical or digital, including photocopying and recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of both the publisher, Oliver Heber Books and the author, JR Salisbury, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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  Contents

  Prequel

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

  Also by JR Salisbury

  About the Author

  “My love is selfish. I cannot breathe without you.”

  John Keats

  Prequel

  Blackmont Manor

  "Your Grace, I need your help. Desperately."

  Henry Blackmont, Duke of Blackmont, stood in disbelief at the young woman standing before him in the grand hall of his country home. He barely recognized her, but upon hearing her voice knew without a doubt this was indeed Lady Caroline Montgomery. Though she was the sister of one of his oldest friends, she had tried and tried to garner his attentions. None of it doing any good. Much to Lady Caroline's horror, he'd married the former Anna Grover. Theirs was a love match, something the lady standing before him could never give him. She'd proven herself incapable of such emotion.

  "Come, we can speak in the drawing room."

  He led her to the blue and cream room, leading her to the fireplace. He gazed at her. Once with meticulous hair and always dressed in the latest fashion, the woman who stood before him was anything but those qualities. This version of Lady Caroline was dressed as a man: buckskin colored breeches, an oversized muslin shirt, boots, and a black jacket and great coat. Nothing like the haute couture she'd been known for. Her hair was hastily combed into a bun and placed under a black cap, the blond now dull and lifeless, just like the rest of her.

  "What has happened, Caroline?"

  She spoke in hushed tones. "I fear I've killed the earl."

  Blackmont tried to show no emotion. He showed her to a chair near the fire. "Tell me what happened and why you believe such."

  "He took me to his estate in Surrey with the promise we'd go to Paris as soon as he completed a business transaction."

  "Go on," he encouraged.

  "When we arrived at his home in Surrey, it was closed up, not a servant in sight, the house bare of all furnishings. He's ruined."

  "There have been rumors to that fact. He's sold everything that wasn't entailed."

  She had his attention. This woman was a scared, timid thing. The Caroline he knew would know exactly what needed to be done. Of course, unless she had indeed killed the man. Then her priorities would have changed, and she would be in survival mode.

  "What happened?"

  "He locked me in a room in the cellar. Once, sometimes twice, a day he would come and bring me some food. Usually bread, cheese, and whatever fruit he could find."

  "Go on," he once again encouraged her.

  "He thought he could blackmail my father, using me as bait. My father, as you know, disowned me the second I ran off with the earl. He wasn't having any part of it. He told the earl I was dead to him."

  "I'm surprised your brother didn't contact me."

  "Trent is unaware of what is going on. I'm afraid I've disappointed him greatly."

  Blackmont scrubbed his face with one hand, the days’ worth of stubble rough against his palm. "Trent wouldn't have been blackmailed, either."

  "I know. He was evidently unable to procure even a loan, which made him angrier with me. One evening he came down to bring me dinner. It was rather late, and he was quite foxed. He wanted more than I was willing to give. We got into a tussle, he lost his balance, and his head hit the stone floor. He didn't move. I took off, leaving the door open. I ran and didn't look back."

  "How can you be sure he's dead?"

  "He wasn't moving," she replied.

  Quite likely the man was simply passed out from drink, though he'd have one hell of a headache when he did wake up.

  "How did you get here?"

  "I took his horse."

  Blackmont sat, thinking on what to do, how to handle this delicate situation. If the earl were alive, he would immediately go one of two ways. Go to London, thinking she'd gone to her family, or he would come to me believing she was here.

  "You can stay the night, but only tonight. This will be one of the first places he'll look for you if he's still alive."

  "Understood."

  "In the meantime, I'll try and come up with a solution until we know of the earl's fate for sure. I believe your brother is in London. I'll get word to him. Until then, I know where you'll be safe until I hear back from Trent."

  "Thank you. I didn't know where to turn and was unsure how my brother might receive me."

  He looked at her. "I'll have to tell Anna your situation and that you're here. I'm sure she can find you something more appropriate to wear."

  "I'm forever in your debt, Blackmont."

  "Don't thank me yet. If the man is indeed dead, your life as you know it will change forever. Even if he's alive, things will never be the same for you. But let us not think of such unpleasant matters right now. Are you hungry?"

  She nodded.

  "When was the last time you ate?"

  "I must confess I haven't eaten today."

  "I'll have a tray sent up to you. In the meantime, sit here. Let me find the housekeeper and find out which room and have her get a maid to help with a bath and dressing you."

  "Thank you."

  "Don't thank me yet." He started toward the door. "Wait here."

  Chapter 1

  As she waited on word from her brother, Trent, Caroline spent her days and nights in virtual isolation. Blackmont had hidden her in a cottage on his estate. The cottage was so well concealed one would have had to have been a member of the family to know it even existed.

  The small cottage was situated on a small island in the middle of a man-made lake Henry's grandfather had built it as a private retreat for his duchess and himself. The structure was well hidden by foliage allowed to grow up over the years. Accessible only by small boat, the cottage proved to be a safe haven for her.

  She saw no one. The cottage had been stocked with enough food to last her at least a month. Caroline was alone with a stack of books, needlework, and supplies for her to watercolor. Still, she was not at ease.

  Not knowing whether Carlisle lived was almost all that consumed her thoughts on a daily basis.

  What would she do if he had lived?

  It was a place she didn't want to go and knew she should wait until Trent got word. He could discreetly make inquiries—unless, of course, the earl was indeed dead, and then it would be all over every newspaper in London.

  She sat looking out the windows one summer afternoon. It was one of those typical English days when you couldn't tell whether it would rain or not. She'd been attempting to do some needlework when she thought she saw the outline of someone walking to the cottage. It could only be Blackmont or perhaps one of his servants. No one else knew the place existed.

  She held her breath and waited as the mysterious figure came closer. Not knowing what to do, she froze in her chair.

  When the stranger reached the small clearing directly surrounding the cottage, she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the tall, muscular outline of her brother, the Marquess of Trent. He was the heir to their father, the Duke of Marlborough. He was also one of the most serious young men Caroline knew. Trent had little time for laughter or fun. Their father had driven that into him from an early age. He was and had been his father's duke in training.

  Caroline rose and quickly strode to the door to greet him. "You are a welcome sight, brother."

  He nodded but didn't embrace her or even offer a peck on the cheek. "We need to talk."

  "Yes, come inside." She dared not blurt out and ask him about the earl. Trent would enlighten her of that in his own good time.

  He sat down on a gold upholstered couch and laid his arm lazily across the back. He looked around at his surroundings before shifting his focus to her.

  "You can breathe easier. Carlisle is still alive."

  Caroline's hand flew up to her neck. "Oh, thank God."

  Trent shook his head. "Don't thank anyone just yet. The earl is looking for you."

  "How can he possibly afford to do that?" she asked.

  "I'm not sure. I know he's looking for you himself, but even that takes funds. I kno
w he's scoured London for you."

  "Have you talked with him?"

  "Yes." He nodded, his brow furrowed. "He came to my house looking for you about a week ago. He claims you ran off. He wants you back and says all's forgiven."

  "Of course he wants me back. He wants my money."

  "I thought he spent everything."

  She shook her head. "Not everything. I sold some of my jewelry and hid the money."

  He smiled. "That explains a lot."

  "How do you mean?"

  "Why he's so desperate to find you. The money."

  "That and he doesn't want me speaking out against him. He doesn't want people knowing what a wicked man he really is."

  He arched a brow and nodded. "Agreed. We've got to get you away from here and London. If not, it'll only be a matter of time before he finds you."

  "You don't think he'll give up his search?" She rose from her chair, noting it had begun to gently rain. "Tea?"

  "Please. He'll eventually give up, but right now he doesn't want it known he held you in a cellar. In fact, he's claiming you've gone mad, and that's the only safe place he had to put you."

  Caroline stared at him in disbelief. "Which means he'll try and have me locked away in one of those places for mentally deranged souls. Out of sight, out of mind."

  She went into the kitchen to make tea. Trent followed. She readied a pot and found two porcelain cups.

  "I don't know what to tell you, sister. The man himself is mad and will stop at nothing to silence you."

  "I can't stay here forever. Blackmont and the duchess have been more than generous in allowing me to stay this long."

  Trent accepted a cup from her. "Carlisle has been here looking for you."

  "What? When?" She was horrified at the thought.

  "I believe Blackmont said the earl came by about four days ago. He convinced Carlisle he hadn't seen or heard from you."

  "And he believed him?"

  "Yes, so it seems."

  "What am I to do, Trent? I can't go back to him."

  "Don't worry. I've made a decision for you."

  "What?"

  He shifted his weight around on his feet. "I have a friend whose mother is in need of a companion."

  "As long as she doesn't live in London."

  He smiled, and a laugh escaped him. "His mother detests London and hasn't been to town in years."

  "Where does she live?"

  "Scotland."

  She arched a brow. "I see. What all is expected of me?"

  Trent shrugged. "Whatever it is you women do. I'm afraid I don't know all the details. When he told me his mother was in need of a companion, I merely mentioned I knew of someone who would be perfect."

  "Does he know my situation?"

  He arched a brow. "He's a close friend, so yes. His mother doesn't, and we're going to leave it up to you whether you tell her or not."

  "He must have told her something about me."

  "She knows you're my sister and that you are escaping a bad marriage."

  "And she has no problem with that?"

  He shook his head. "None whatsoever. We decided to leave it up to you if you wish to inform her of the details."

  Caroline felt her heart racing in her chest. This opportunity was almost too good to believe. "You don't think she'd tell Carlisle where I am, do you?"

  "No, Lady Kirkcaldy has no love lost for men who treat their wives badly. Her own husband treated her much the same as Carlisle has treated you."

  "Really?"

  "From what I understand, they eventually did learn to tolerate each other, but there were years when he treated her as his property and not his wife."

  "That's what we are. We leave home and marry, becoming our husband's property. We must rely on them for everything."

  "We leave as soon as you're ready. I plan to go as far as we can. We'll spend the night, and tomorrow we'll be well past London. We'll take the train to Edinburgh the rest of the way."

  Caroline's life had changed dramatically from the moment she’d left her husband lying on the cellar floor. As it had been all her life, men made the most important decisions for her, though for the first time, she welcomed it. Letting Trent take hold of her immediate future didn't seem like such a bad thing. At least not now.

  * * *

  Avoiding the roads running in front of the estate and nearby, Trent took them across Blackmont's estate with relative ease. He knew the earl had a man following him. He wasn't very good at his job, and Trent had spotted him in London on more than one occasion.

  If he had been afraid his sister couldn't have kept up, he was sorely mistaken. Caro had always been a competent rider, but her ability to ride astride for long periods of time was more than he could have expected. He wanted to quickly get as far as they could go, but since Carlisle had him being followed, he opted, once they got on the road, to take a slight detour. It would add some miles to their journey, but since he wanted to deliver his sister safely to Lady Kirkcaldy, the inconvenience was nothing.

  He also wanted to be off the road by dark. Even if his sister were posing as a boy, that alone would be reason enough for highwaymen to stop them. This was Caro's best chance to be rid of the earl, hopefully for good, and he would do anything to protect her and to make sure she was safe from this monster.

  He decided they would spend the night at a coaching inn called The Lion and Unicorn. He'd used it several times in his travels and had come to know the owner fairly well. He slowed the gelding as the structure came into view.

  "We'll stop here for the night and get a fresh start in the morning."

  "I thought we were going to catch the train for Scotland?"

  "We will. We merely had to take a detour."

  She shook her head. "A detour means someone was following us. Am I right?"

  "Yes." He sighed. "There's been a man following me since London. I'm hoping we lost him leaving Blackmont's the way we did."

  "You mean he might still be watching the duke's estate?"

  He nodded. "That's what I'm hoping. I didn't want to take any chances, so I diverted us around. If he was following us, by the time he realizes he's been tricked, it will be too late and too far for him to catch up."

  She pulled her horse next to her brother's, and rather than wait for him to help her down, she swung her leg over the gelding's back. She certainly was doing her best to play her part. Her life might depend on it.

  They walked into the inn, and Trent looked around. "Stay here. Look at no one. I'm going to get us a room."

  She nodded and watched as he greeted the proprietor. Fortunately, he remembered Trent and turned his attention to his guest. While her brother took care of procuring a room, Caro looked around the interior. Smoke hung in the dark rafters, and the smell of wood was overtaken by the aroma of stale ale and who knew what else. Deciding she might raise the eyebrow of anyone watching her, Caro ducked her head and stared at the floor until Trent returned.

  "Come," he said. "I've gotten us a room, and I asked the owner to have a bath brought up. I've requested dinner be sent to the room after you've dressed."

  She nodded, not wanting anyone to hear her voice.

  He turned, and she followed him up the stairs to the inn's rooms. The room was at the end of the hall to give them privacy. Anyone approaching wouldn't be able to sneak up on them. He opened the door and followed Caro inside. The room had one large bed against the far wall. A table and a couple of chairs sat to one side. He walked over to the fire and stoked it to bring more heat to the room.

  A knock on the door revealed two young men not much older than his sister. Between them, they carried a wooden tub. He watched as they placed it in front of the fire. Two young girls brought the first of many buckets of hot water. Caro, in the meantime, stood in front of the small sooty window, staring out into the dark, keeping her face hidden.