A Woman Made For Sin

by Michele Sinclair

  The older woman, who had taken care of her and then her two best friends since they were children, fidgeted with worry. Never had she seen her missus like this. Her Millie was a fireball, never to be constrained, for to do so would kill her. And that was exactly what she was witnessing now. The slow death of one of the world’s most beautiful creatures. How could the master be sending her away now, when she needed him most? Could he not see the cruelty of what he was doing?

  “But, my lady, we have yet to pack your gowns or any of your jewels.”

  Dark-haired ringlets bounced as Millie shook her head. “I will not be needing them. Since I do not plan on doing any entertaining, it will only weigh the carriage down with unnecessary weight. No, it’s best they stay here.”

  Elda Mae turned around several times, searching for something to do. “I’ll help Jennelle’s maid, my lady, and then go pack my own things.”

  Millie’s eyes brimmed with tears as she clasped the older woman’s hands. “Please understand when I ask this of you, Elda Mae, but you must stay here.”

  Jennelle, who had been sitting in a chair across the room, stewing, popped out of the chair at Millie’s words. “Stay here? Millie, you cannot do this! Elda Mae is coming.”

  Tears from Elda Mae’s velvet brown eyes spilled onto her cheeks. “But, my lady, I should be with you. You need me . . .”

  For the first time since Aimee’s abduction, Millie’s look was firm and unwavering, hinting that not all of her soul had been crushed with Chase’s indictments. “No,” she stated forcefully to Jennelle. And then, looking back at her faithful companion, she pleaded softly, “Elda Mae, what I need most is for you to apply those eavesdropping skills you have perfected over the years and discover what Chase knows about Aimee. Send word to me and Jennelle as often as you can. It is important, this thing I ask of you. Please do not turn me down.”

  “I could never turn you down, my lady. Haven’t in all my born days, and I’m not likely to start now. I love you like you was my own flesh and blood. And if you need me to stay, then I will. And don’t you worry none on Aimee. She’s a delicate-looking thing, but you and I know differently. Our girl’s a scrapper and will be back here in England giving her brother what for before you know it.”

  Millie closed her eyes and looked out the window, watching Chase order another team to be added to the post chaise. “Your words to God’s ears, Elda Mae. For I don’t know how I shall go on if harm befalls Aimee because of my thoughtlessness.”

  Jennelle marched over, grabbed her friend by the shoulders, and swung her around. “Now you will listen to me and all that I say, Millie. I will not hear any more of this. You refused to listen to me last night, but you will do so now.” Jennelle was just as much to blame as Millie, and if she could not convince Millie that Aimee was safe with Reece, then she herself would begin to doubt it, and the fragments of composure she was clinging to would disappear.

  “I did hear you, Jennelle. That Aimee would have screamed and fought if she were truly captured? That based on what I told you, she intentionally got caught by Reece’s men in order to seek him out? Maybe, but there were five ships that left the harbor and four of them were not the Sea Emerald. If you are correct—and I hope and believe you might be—then Reece is most likely turning around and returning at this very moment. Aimee will be reunited with her brother.”

  “And all will be forgiven.”

  Millie sank down onto her bed and closed her eyes. “I do not know. Despite what you heard, Charlie does love me and I so love him. His anger is in many ways justified.”

  “But it was not your fault! Aimee practically made us go, and it was she who put herself in danger. Not you and not me. I love her just as much as you, but I will not own responsibility for her abduction and neither should you!”

  “I agree it was Aimee who made the choice that caused her to be captured. But you cannot deny she would have stayed home if I had stayed firm and refused to go. She could not have made it there safely without us, and I knew in my heart that we should not have gone. So it is my guilt that weighs heavily on me. Not Charlie’s anger.”

  Jennelle crossed her arms and started pacing. “Aimee will be fine. You and Charles will be fine. We will all be fine!”

  Millie nodded. She did honestly believe Aimee was safe and with Reece. The more she thought back and considered the events of last night, the more convinced she became. Aimee had not been caught unaware. She had been hidden when the two men walked by and actually had jumped in front of them. She then patiently waited as they got over their shock and finally decided to grab her. Aimee had had ample opportunity to run away, let alone scream for help. But as much as she believed Aimee would return and all would be well, Millie was not convinced that the same could be said of her and Chase.

  He was furious with her, and though she was not to blame for much of what he had accused her, there was one point he had made repeatedly that she could not deny—it was her adventurous spirit that created the foundation for what had happened. Chase wanted her to change. And though a piece of her would do anything for him, she was not sure she could become someone else.

  Even for him.

  Even to keep his love, which she so desperately needed.

  Chase watched the slim, petite figure dressed in gray enter the post chaise. A second later she was followed by a redheaded figure in dark blue. His wife, the one who in the past four months had brought him more joy than he could remember having in all his life, was leaving him, and by his command. He wanted to kiss her good-bye and tell her how much she meant to him, how much he loved and needed her. But he knew if he took one step outside and felt her soft body against his in a good-bye embrace, he would be unable to let her go.

  Never had Chase seen Millie look so defeated or forlorn. So many things had been running through his mind when he had spoken to her, he could barely recall half of what he had said. The only truth he kept coming back to was that he needed her to be safe, to know that she was cared for and away from any danger. As soon as he confirmed Aimee was aboard the Sea Emerald, he would go to Millie, tell her the joyful news, and heal whatever pain he might have caused her. Hopefully, his sister might even be back home by then.

  Chase calmed his building guilt by reminding himself that Millie was on her way to her father’s. He had initially thought to send her to the Wentworth country estate, but with his mother in Scotland, Millie would be all alone there. So he sent her to her father’s, where she could enjoy his company and take pleasure in one of her favorite pastimes—riding. Chase would send Hercules, her monstrous black horse, to Wareham first thing tomorrow.

  The driver snapped his whip and the horses began to move. He let the thick gold curtain slip through his fingertips and gripped the back of a nearby high-back chair. Millie had not said more than a few words to him since he had announced he was sending her away. She had avoided him whenever possible and had even left without saying good-bye. Normally, that would have been a clear indication of her anger and resentment about his most recent lecture. Yet the few glimpses of her he had stolen had indicated something else entirely. Her cheeks were pale and the light in her eyes had vanished, leaving only a chilling emptiness. Grief tore at her for her friend, and he had only added to that pain.

  He looked about the empty room. Never had the world seemed so lonely.

  As the carriage began to move, Jennelle watched the house from the window and saw the gold curtain swish back into place. So Charles had at least watched his wife leave, if only from a distance. Was it regret he felt, she wondered, or had he just been ensuring his orders were followed?

  Never will I marry, Jennelle silently pledged. She had seen what Millie endured for the sake of love and what Aimee had done to pursue it. Jennelle was positive no man in the world was worth bearing such pain, despite the brief wisps of pleasure she had witnessed. With every passing moment, she became more determined to be the only one of the Daring Three smart enough to stay away from the things that can ca
use the most pain to a woman.

  I vow never to fall in love, and I absolutely will never marry.

  Chapter 4

  October 9, 1816

  Consciousness came back slowly and painfully. Aimee tried to open her eyes, but the world was dark . . . and rolling. She moaned and felt the gag, the rough cloth biting into her lips, which were now dry and cracked. Her head felt like it had been broken into several pieces and then put back together incorrectly. Unfortunately, it did not make her unaware of certain things, like how she was aboard a ship that was continuously rocking back and forth. It also did not obstruct her ability to smell. If possible, the stench was more dreadful than what the sailor had produced. Aimee had no idea where she was or what she was smelling, but she prayed to every saint she could remember for it to end.

  Planting a foot down on something solid, she shoved herself to a sitting position and slowly inched along the floor until she felt a sack containing something with large lumps behind her and then leaned back, hoping it would support her.

  She had no idea how long she had been on the ship. It could have been just a few hours or a day—maybe even two, according to her stomach. It was possible her captors had left her to starve to death. Her only hope was to free herself.

  Aimee fought against the bindings with renewed strength. After several minutes, her skin had become raw and she could feel blood running down her fingertips. The rope, however, had not loosened at all. Tears began to fall.

  Millie and Jennelle had been right. No intelligent plan would ever allow this level of failure. Since she’d been separated from her friends, she had experienced practically every emotion except the one she had been seeking. The residual anger, fear, and despair were now morphing into misery.

  She was going to die, and only a few feet below the man she loved.

  Aimee wondered how Reece would react when he learned she had died trying to reach him. At the very least, she hoped he would regret refusing to see or talk to her.

  “Eh, you there. You still alive?”

  Aimee awoke with a start at the sound.

  Petey witnessed the movement and smiled. It had been just over two days since they put out at sea. Captain Hamilton had been in a fierce mood, keeping his men working until they fell asleep at their posts. The captain was the best of leaders, and Petey, as well as the rest of the crew, would follow him into the pits of hell, knowing that each time, Captain Reece Hamilton would see them to the other side. But not a man on his crew wanted to see the Thames anytime soon. They would go to any port in the world as long as it was not in England. The last two times they had anchored there, it was pure hell for several days afterwards, and this visit had been no different.

  Aimee felt rough hands reach behind her head and begin to loosen the knot holding the gag tightly in place. “Now, if you make a noise, I’ll be putting the rope back and leavin’. You hear me?”

  Aimee nodded her head and her mouth was free seconds later. She licked her lips, knowing she would never again be unappreciative of the ability. Then she felt the rough cloth covering her face being yanked off, allowing her hair to tumble free down her back.

  Aimee blinked several times and inhaled deeply, thankful to breathe in what felt like fresh air. The room was dimly lit but it still took her eyes several seconds to adjust. She was finally able to discern that the faint light came from the small doorway adjacent to some stairs across the way. She looked around and realized that she was in some dank hold that contained crates and food—some of which smelled as if it was already rotting.

  Petey watched in total shock as the beaten beauty looked around and took in her surroundings. He had kidnapped a bloody female! There was no way he was going to tell the captain that this girl was the one thieving their ships. He would skin him alive, even though it was true. The captain came from nobles and took their gentlemen’s code to an extreme.

  The girl glanced around the dank room, licking her lips, when suddenly her green eyes settled on him and darkened dangerously. Petey held his breath. He had seen plenty of women. Those who worked by the docks or around them were either old and worn ragged from years of hard labor or young and scraggly. This one was neither.

  Dirt was smeared on her face and she was wearing men’s clothes, but none of it could detract from the beauty that sat bound in front of him. It was as if an angel had come down from heaven. And what had he done? He had taken her prisoner. He was surely going to spend eternity with the devil now.

  “Blimey, what’ve I done?” His question was barely a whisper, mixed with both shock and horror.

  Aimee’s emerald gaze flashed with anger as she studied the squat, unshaven man holding on to the doorframe for support. From his voice, she knew he was not Gus, but Petey. He had short bowlegs, straggly light brown hair, and bloodshot eyes that made him look more pitiable than wretched. He was dressed in ankle-length pants with a pocket on the side and a dirty, long-sleeved linen shirt that closed in the front. A well-worn dark wool coat hung open to reveal a single-button vest that came just below his waistline. His tarred hat was clutched in his right hand while his left was attempting to loosen the handkerchief tied around his throat.

  “You kidnapped a lady, Peter. That is what you have done,” Aimee replied crisply and waited for him to repent and move to release her. After several seconds, she realized the man was transfixed and unable to move. Petey was never going to stir until she told him what to do.

  “Peter, please untie my hands.” As if hypnotized into doing what he had been told, Petey ran over and cut the bloody ropes. Spellbound, he watched her gracefully stretch her fingers as if she had a cramp from doing embroidery.

  The golden angel looked up at him—her expression unreadable as her green eyes assessed him. “Peter, I could use some water and some food.” She saw his bushy brows fly up and then, with a nod, he dashed out of the room.

  Suddenly free and able to see, Aimee waited for the resentment and anger to rise anew but found that every emotion, every bit of loathing, every wish for harm to fall on those who did this to her was simply gone. Maybe she was too tired. Maybe she was too hungry to put out the effort, but whatever it was, all of her immediate desires were focused on getting a warm meal, fresh air, and, if possible, some clean clothes.

  Aimee looked up as she heard two sets of footsteps approach. She assumed Petey was bringing the same friend he’d had with him the night of her abduction.

  “I hope, Peter, that you were able to fetch some water along with who I assume is Gus,” she said, eyeing the much heavier man who appeared to be in his late forties.

  Petey nodded in awe before handing her a small bucket with a ladle inside. Aimee took the metal scoop and dipped into the water, bringing the contents to her lips. At first it hurt to drink, but as the cool liquid went down it became easier. She took several more scoopfuls before stopping to study her two captors. They were completely different. One large, the other small. Where Petey had light brown hair, Gus’s was dark.

  “Gus, is that bread you have in your hand perchance for me?” Aimee asked in a serene voice as if she were a guest at tea.

  Gus’s hazel eyes grew round with surprise. He had been staring at her bloody wrists, frozen with fear and shock. “Uh, aye, miss, ’ere you go. Cook made it fresh dis morning.”

  Aimee took a bite, closed her eyes, and smiled. Fresh bread was another thing she would never undervalue again. She finished the whole thing, never moving from the sack of potatoes she had been leaning on. She licked her fingers and said, “If you would both help me to stand, I would like to leave this room and go somewhere a bit more comfortable.”

  Petey took a tentative step forward. “Miss, we didn’t know ya was a . . . a . . . female when we took you. I swears I didn’t know.”

  Gus nodded vigorously in agreement. “Ye even fought like a tar, kickin’ and movin’ all wild and crazy. Never did I dream a girl could move so mean.”

  Aimee lifted her hands to the men. “I believe you, especi
ally as I was dressed to disguise my gender and aboard a ship at night, hiding in the shadows. Like you, I and two friends were attempting to catch the thief who has been sneaking aboard Wentworth and Hamilton ships while they are in port.”

  Rising to her feet, Aimee leaned on a large crate for support, happy to see Gus’s and Petey’s cautious smiles at her unexpected ability to understand their gross blunder. For some odd reason, Aimee felt inclined to put the men at ease, not berate them for the pain she even now felt in her limbs and head. Millie had always ridiculed her for her innate desire to see that everyone around her was comfortable, even if they did wrong by her. Aimee had no doubt that when she saw Millie again and relayed this story, she was sure to receive an “I told you so” from her friend.

  Suddenly, the ship lurched and Aimee fought to keep her balance despite holding onto a crate. It was then she heard the waves lapping against the ship’s hull and realized such a sound would not be heard if they were still in the harbor—or moving slowly upriver. Aimee’s gaze darted from Petey, then to Gus, and then back, not really focusing on either before she closed her eyes and let out a small wail. “Good Lord! I’m at sea!”

  Petey and Gus did not know what to do. She had seemed fine, but without warning, her face had become very pale. As she collapsed on a box of tinned beef, Gus blurted out, “This is a ship. Where did ye think ye were, miss?”

  “Millie! Jennelle! They must be going crazy with worry right now. And Charles . . . oh, he must be apoplectic, sending every ship he has to chase me down.” Then capturing Gus’s mystified gaze, she asked, “Is there any chance we are still in or near London’s harbor?”

  Gus took a step back as the flurry of questions kept coming from the bedraggled beauty. “I don’t know most of what ye said, but we’s nowhere near England anymore, miss. This here’s the Sea Emerald. It’s mighty fast, and right now we are headin’ to the Americas.”