The Sinner

Lady S

pon in

first thought when they were little! Belinda had to endure the sisters while she they were in Madam Pearson's Sc

the lessons, but she wished that they taught them more about sc

r things she was curious about on her own, secretly keeping the books from Popsy and Poppy. Well, as though they would actual

*

gloves to fight him this time. She ought to have gotten another c

the smile that appeared on her face upon seeing the plaster on his nos

y, reaching him. Her eyes went to his car. He had his driver with him

expertly bent back, fist at the ready, and with full speed she pushed it forward w

tack, she kicked his crotch and immediately took a step to the side to avoid a possible counterattack. None came for the man was bent on his knees, h

flipping her red waves back over her shoulder. "It was good though that I

of the car. Her eyes widened when she saw McKenzie Haverston fighting with the driver who had belatedly climbed out of the ca

rtain it was safe to leave the man be, McKenzie left him slumped over the hood of the vehicle and stormed toward her. He

Jacob and uttered, "I shall call 911 if you and your useless dr

ned and walked up her

you think you are going?"

side my apartment and then I

hell

ell I will. Thank you for taking down the driver, Mr. Haverston. I w

oveground, Lady Belinda," he uttered

they are a tad safer than the people who will be more evil upon my

d in bed. She could have gotten hurt tonight if McKenzie did not fight the driver. The man was huge even for he

still good

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ad taken down the man all on her own. How in tarnation she was able to do that he could not

woman. He ought not to, but he was. Bloody he

fter when they were attending balls and parties. She had insulted and condemned Cressida many times. She had stolen secrets from Mary and threatened the l

she was gone. Not one of them, apart from Mary who was too goo

d been wronged. Cressida and Mary were family and he would not wish for them to be, in any way, bothered by one such as Belinda Carrington. His brothers wou

s about how her flaming red hair swayed behind her shoulders, of her freckled

ad simply gone too long without a woman that he could now imagine Belinda Carrington's so

he had brought a chair to sit beside the window and watch her building from across the street. The bas

e steps of the building wearing a short black coat over a short dress that reached her knees. He frowned and chec

ell would s

is jaw tightened. Was she

and stormed out the room. He was bloody sleep-d

now so he could finally go back

*

oody hell are

Her heart was still racing as she glared

er with suspicion. "Ar

ught about by his question. "

bea

waves...I know you

and she had a moment to study him. His hair was a mess of black waves and his chin was showing signs of days of

and stood beside the stre

made your

ied, looking down the s

will you gi

at

be much a

te for the bus is he

he be

eady told you wh

fore them. The door opened and Belinda climbed inside. "Ma

he driver, and paid for the both them. She sat on her usual seat by the window

s almost an hour away and s

*

the bus stopped and the driver called out, "Belinda,

atched the collar of his coat and dragged him to the front of the b

l!" the driver replied with a laug

ered, finally hoppi

e?" McKenzie asked

d too. And then he caught his breath. He had not realized they had climbed down the si

ed out, an effective curtain. She was wearing a bloody dress too short for her and she did not care what she exposed. He looked around to see if anyone was

he side. For the second time, McKenzie caught his breath. The sun had

ound the beach. There was not a soul

of the waves. He had never imagined he would find himself in such a place

most scandalized woman underground, witne

rning, Belinda Carrington dropped on the sand and sat down, her legs stretched out before her. The foamy waves te

o the taste, yet it was at the same time refreshing and soothing. He looked down at her sitting beside him, her shoes beside her hip.

ch I hated my father, my mother and even Ju

began to rise beyond the horizon, creating a wonderful mix of hues of orange, lavender and blue and m

yone to tell until you came but even until now I do not get a single word of reply." He found that

closer he would see the reflection of the sky in them. "You coul

went away. "I do not

. She has plans for you.

ilb

you? She marri

father marry her off to-" she stopped herself and shook her head. "Of course, he would. He banish

nda was right about Noah Trilby. The man was too arrogant and had too many mistresses all ove

Julia's as well." Her voice shook with anger as s

rove the man to banish her. It was her own carelessness that brought her here. Everyone underground believed

If one would be foolish enough to be near her, Belinda Carrington could very well cause wreckage if she opted

*

ury. That monster had never been good to anyone, even Belinda. She knew he hurt women, gambled until the wee hours and he had committed minor crimes but was ne

family was powerful. Just

wanted, and yet it was never enough for them. She had been na茂ve and f

ore her. She could not stop them for they would

irst question that came to her mind. "Will my father go to prison if

n by the League. Do not think that I or anyone-even you-could do anythin

uld ever get caught. He may be careless on a game of cards, but his reputation,

n him as he h

hat if I do not bring you back, or even attempt to

hat?" she asked. "I do not care

you merely care

ed toward her father, and her mother,

ed off to a horrible man! Even now she could not stomach th

wing the wind and the sea

d turned the sky into yellow and orange. Soon, daylight would reign once more. "Why di

ked her that. No one had asked her before

d said the same thing too many times five yea

trying to make her remember everything she had done, make her be

ll wit

She was tired of making them believe that she did no

man who had judged her simply because she was the Belinda Carrington, the vile, shallow chit who used her

e was that vixen. She

elieve some

ston were no different from Mr. Jacob

for what she did, no

ation of the sky. She took one last deep breath of the salty air and closed her eyes to feel the breez

finally spoke withou

e coming ba

voice, the doubt. Ah, when wou

cretive smile on her face. "