The Sinner

Journ

pon in

ealing all my money," Belinda heard h

orway outside the p

duces us to come and gamble everything we have and now he want

Papa chose to go to the club every night. Wa

*

iscourage her from it. She had made her decision

how he found her reason to go back. But then, why would it matter? He wanted to take her ba

ies, gold mostly. They were not much but they would prove to be useful than a few thousand bucks underg

tment that had been home for the last five years. It had witnessed her silence and crazy laughter. Although it had not received any visitors for she was careful never to make friends or be clo

written to whoever would come look

d to go

ould soon forget about her existence. It was a far cry from t

he was looking at her mildly. Was he feeling sympathet

her small clutch bag fu

*

ld not fathom how she must be feeling, but every part of him

would mean the satisfaction of lady Tril

e would cause a debacle among the townspeople. All of her sister's efforts could

done something evil as banishing someone, but the little vile things she did had their effects. She had thought herself too mighty, saw too many beneath her, that she had built her own prison. She had become unreachable in so many wa

brother before their marriage. It had caused quite a scandal, but

and jewels, were enough to save her? Had she not thought of the consequences of her actions toward her fellow ladies-to daughters

ct vengeance to her family. Sh

once the League could prove it and catch the people he paid to do it. McKenzie found

k," he informed her a little while lat

sto

es

a passage

es

a secret to everyone, even the League of Founders itself, but McKenzie had a strong guess. Their mother had used

da's captors took her to was near Easton. Calan knew the Passage Guards the League had stationed there. And be

le to the woods where

found a taxi and he provided the information to th

told her they would have to hike for a few hours until they reached Easton. In f

hell was the l

*

eone to buy her gold, where to find an affordable estate, where

ust maybe, everyone would start to believe her. Maybe, just maybe, she would be admitted back into

hose books she had read had filled he

and she was open for that. She was open to living in the country, building a decent hom

such horrible marriage and convinced Julia that there was life outside

m see. She'd make them see the

the last time you were here," McKenzie start

was pretty much the same as the one she hiked five years ago. It was damp and slippery. "I did not take you back so you could ruin everything for your family. I took you back because your sister had played her cards well." When Belinda merely remained silent, concentrating more on the slippery path than his w

ds can be assured that I shall not speak of the passage ever to anyone. I give you my word that they shall remain a secret from the rest of the Town." When he continued to stare at her with an expression of doubt, she added, "And what is

ke down. She smiled when she realized that showing him this fabricated part of her was more ef

*

h someone who had once resided in the Town. And since he had proper papers to show them, one sealed

boat. He found the one he used in the same spot beside a large rock. Belinda refused his hand when he attempted to help her climb on it and with a fr

estate that loomed in the distance. He was even quite certain she had grown more confident, her shoulders square and her bac

ng her more trouble, especially when she would meet Cressida very soon. But why was he hesitat

part of him felt proud that s

houghts for they had finally reached the estat

bow. Obviously, Calan had made their possible arrival known i

harply turned to face her. "I want to have a carriage dra

ie uttered grimly. "My brother and his wife had graciously

t wish to stay here much longer than I already have. I am very much grateful

ising his eyebrows i

nd flowing behind her, her pants and shirt dirty after the hike. She

about, lady Belinda?" he a

Belinda stopped her ready response and th

ounding toward him. Before he could prepare for the onslaught, his nie

ttle girl's hair with one hand. "Peyton, where have you b

er light blue eyes. "I was playing hide and seek

a voice from the t

e him, her shoulders squaring even mor

s here!" Peyton cr

the woman standing beside McKenzie. She scurried toward he

d as her mother pulled her closer. "She is

r teacher is waiting. But first, ask nan

ave a vis

wanted her daughter away from Belinda. He rolled his eyes to look at the lady beside

after throwing McKenzie and Belinda a look of longin

orm my husband that hi

Cressida turned to Belinda, her face hard a

loody hell could she manage that? "As I am, Cressida," she said, looking at Cressida as thou

da's eyes. "Peyton is not a sub

t wish for her to be in the

announced, "We shall take up residence as we had planned, and if y

o Willowfair at onc

an. "As much as I am uncomfortable of your presence here, I believe that

d. Her lips pursed. "I

"I do not mind that you stay here for a few days so

back to Willowfair in three days, la

let out an irritated scoff and said, "Very well, then," sh

for her entrance, one rushed in and said

h to take my supper in my room

k her head. "You nev

t find th

hall be taken

haughtily. And then she was walking a

ing her back again?" as

ea," he answered his sister-in-

ld not stomach eating a meal with her around the table." Cressida started to walk away. "Your brother is in the parlor. He w

climbing the steps of the Easton estate,

*

case. It is too complicated," Calan told him a while later after Cressida left to

ready awar

ant to receive a letter from the League

he repercuss

meone like her, Mac. You very

ent that the lady had saved her in more ways than one by not spilling the rest of her secrets. But then, who could ever b

is is about the passage. She would not say anything and her sister had promised t

of doubt but he nodded anyway. "I am sti

inking, McKenzie silently uttered inside. S

*

n her way to Willowfair by now but she was stuck in Easton instead. And under

y times before, but no one had truly hated her as much as they were amused by her. She had been a walking scandal yet she managed to still survive the disapproval of the Town. And her strong will to fight back, to protect Mary Featherton, was such an amu

n a bit of Cressida's attention had waned throughout the years. Now, she was only lef

ladies years ago. She had married despite her petty scandals in the past and she

ted and loved all the same, while so