Chapter 2
Anna Sinclair.
She repeated the words over and over again in her mind. Other than revealing the truth to Haines during their journey, she had not uttered that name in years.
The truth was written on the first page of the Bible she kept at her bedside. Though she never dared to open the leather-bound book, and only found the courage to lay her hand on the cover in silent prayer.
Anna Sinclair was like a distant relative: someone whose blood flowed through her veins. Someone who shared a kinship, yet she never visited the girl she once knew. Separating the past and the present had been her way of coping, of preventing the poison tainting everything she held dear.
Marie Labelle was nothing more than her adopted name. The name thrust upon her when Lucifer called to claim her soul.
She glanced up at the facade of the ancient stone building. The Lord revealed himself in a series of signs, or so her father had once said. To send a woman, rotten and riddled with sin, to a monastery was enough to rouse a faint flicker of faith even in the hardest of heathens.
Mr. Danbury may have mocked her, but in truth, she would use her time here to repent.
Her gaze drifted to the gentleman whose crude assumptions revealed him to be shallow and uncouth. While she imagined some women found his rough appearance becoming, she had seen enough of men to know his failure to follow convention most probably stemmed from a deep-rooted resentment.
Not that she cared.
A strong jaw and muscular frame offered little to no appeal. She had come to see one gentleman's body much like another, the sight of which left her cold. In that respect, her time with Victor had been educational. It had taught her to value honesty, humility and kindness above beguiling eyes and a charming smile.
"I have a letter from Lord Danesfield, proof that he sent me here," she said.
"You're in the company of Haines. That's proof enough. But you may leave it on the desk in the chapter house."
"The chapter house?"
"I shall give you a brief tour and then show you to your room, Miss Sinclair." Mr. Danbury's tone sounded a little less arrogant. However, the air around them whirled with tension and hostility. "After such a long journey, I'm sure you'll want to wash and change your clothes."
"I'm afraid I left in rather a hurry and only managed to bring a few items with me." Miss Beaufort had helped her pack a small bag, but Anna had not been of sound enough mind to care. "Is there somewhere locally where I may purchase what I need?"
Mr. Danbury gave a curt nod. "I'm sure Tristan will escort you to the village in the morning. He can act as translator—"
"I speak the language fluently, Mr. Danbury."
The gentleman's curious gaze drifted over her.
"I would be happy to escort you wherever you wish to go," Tristan replied.
Anna listened for the ugly sound of lust hidden beneath his words. Years of deceit and degradation made one doubt even the smallest of thoughtful gestures. But she heard only sincerity, an eagerness to be helpful and friendly.
"Thank you, Mr. …"
"Mr. Wells," he replied offering a bow one would give to a lady. "But I insist you call me Tristan. There's no need for formality, at least not here."
Anna gave a weak smile before scanning Mr. Danbury's bristled jaw and crumpled shirt. Compared to his friend, he looked like the destitute relative. "I can collect anything you may need whilst there Mr. Danbury. A comb, shaving implements, a clean shirt perhaps?"
Tristan sniggered and then pursed his lips.
"That won't be necessary." Mr. Danbury gestured to her bare hands. "But I should see what they have for chapped skin. You'll be expected to earn your keep whilst here."
Panic flared. There was only one way a man expected a whore to earn her keep.
"You will be expected to perform certain household chores," Mr. Danbury added as though party to her thoughts. "I trust that will not be a problem."
Relief coursed through her. "I am perfectly capable of cooking and cleaning," she replied only too eager to keep herself busy. "If you provide me with a list of duties, I will be more than happy to contribute. However, I do ask for an hour each day, where I may do whatever I choose."
Mr. Danbury offered a curt nod and charged off through the open doorway, no doubt expecting her to follow.