Read Online Innocence Enslaved by Maddie Taylor, Melody Parks - Free Book Online

block, frightened beyond measure, yet fighting with every ounce of your being. You reminded me of someone I once knew, and I decided it was fate, not happenstance, that brought me to you. You know the rest.”
    It was Emilia’s turn to tilt her head in bemusement. “Who do I remind you of, sir?”
    “My wife. I lost her several years ago.”
    “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
    “Thank you, dove. That brings up another reason for wanting to speak to you this evening. Over the last few days, I’ve had a lot of time to think while traveling. I decided we could help one another out in this little… arrangement, for lack of a better term.”
    “How can I, as a slave, help you?”
    “After the death of my wife, I decided never to remarry. The reasons are numerous and personal, suffice it to say. There are many in town who are convinced they can change my mind in that regard and persist in pushing their daughters at me. If they think I have someone, I hope they will stop. Which is why when I travel to town on business at the end of the week, you are going to accompany me. I’m sure word has spread about you by now. It will be a good opportunity to show you off and convince others I am serious.”
    She bit her lip, puzzled and more than a little nervous about being paraded through town. “Of course, I am willing to assist you, sir, but I can’t see how you having a pleasure slave is going to leave people with the impression you are unavailable to wed. Don’t men who are married also take slaves for pleasure?”
    “Unscrupulous ones, perhaps. That is not me and folks in Lancore know that. They will consider taking a slave at such an exorbitant price further proof that I have no inclination of wedding as never would I subject a wife to such humiliation. The rest will see it as commonplace and not care one way or another. After a few months, they will have focused on some other poor soul for their daughters. When I travel to Melbourne in the fall, which is my habit, I will take you with me and see you safely home.”
    Emilia couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. “I should love to go home, sir. What, might I ask, takes you to Melbourne?” She said this trying not to appear too anxious.
    He tipped back his glass, emptying it. “I travel there at least twice a year on business. Selling leather goods, saddles mostly.”
    “Brahm Selkirk is my father,” she said hopefully. “He owns a farm and buys leather goods. Might you know him?”
    “I sell to shops more than individuals. The name doesn’t ring a bell.”
    “Oh,” she replied, slightly deflated. Still, she couldn’t believe her good fortune. “How will you get word to my family? By messenger?”
    “A friend of mine is a spice merchant and due in town in the next few days. He regularly travels to Andover, Ingvar, and Melbourne on his rounds.”
    “My father is known to many; I’m sure your man will have no trouble locating him. Even if he is gone trying to find me, my mother will be at home, and one of my brothers at least.” She frowned as a wave of apprehension rushed through her.
    “What is it, Emilia?”
    “I’m worried for him. I’m sure he will search all the nearby districts, including Lancore, which doesn’t seem like a welcoming place.”
    “That is truly an underestimation,” he huffed in a humorless laugh. “The guards will not permit him to pass without valid cause. Searching for a missing girl wouldn’t be considered so. Most of the slaves put up for auction are abducted and there are many in Lancore that depend on the trade for their, uh, stock.” His eyes, when they flickered to her, were apologetic as he continued. “If he starts asking questions about a slave girl, he will be escorted out. If he becomes insistent or violent, he will be escorted out in much the same manner, I’m afraid.”
    “That’s what concerns me. My father won’t give up easily.”
    “My missive should arrive sometime next week. If your father is out