Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(11)

One of his hands cupped her head and angled it so the kiss deepened; the other he kept around her waist, holding her close.

“Lilliana.”

“Yes,” she whispered against his lips, uncertain what he asked for or what she needed.

His mouth moved to her jaw, kissing the length to her ear, and then he pressed his lips to that place just beneath, where her neck started, and the fire inside her grew. Such a small place, and yet when touched in the right way, by the right man, it was alarmingly sensitive. Lilly managed to swallow her cry of regret when he lifted his head.

She drew in an unsteady breath as he stepped back and away from her.

“Please forgive me. I-I had no right to do that, Miss Braithwaite.”

His breathing was as heavy as hers, and she saw that he was as disturbed by the kiss as she.

“I-I don't know what to say to you,” she whispered truthfully. “This, it should not have happened, and I'm not sure why it did.”

Lilly braced herself as he closed the distance between them once more.

“You are a beautiful woman.” He cupped her cheek.

Lilly shook her head. “No, I am not. I'm ugly. Just ask any man in that ballroom.”

“But you are not ugly, are you, Lilliana? In fact you are beautiful, and yet you take great pains that no one sees that beauty.”

No, no, no. How did he know she took great pains to hide from society?

“I have no idea to what you allude, Lord Sinclair. This entire situation has gotten completely out of hand, and it must stop. What happened the other night was the catalyst, and let me say once more that I have no wish to speak of it further, and this”—Lilly waved her hand between them—”is momentary madness, which will pass.”

Before he could speak, she placed a hand on his chest and pushed. He moved, but only, she suspected, because he wished to. Then she was walking from the room. Lilly wanted to run, but made herself walk.

Reaching the door to the ballroom minutes later, she slipped inside, now composed. Well, outwardly at least.

“Miss Braithwaite, how wonderful, I have been looking everywhere for you. Come, we will go to supper together as we have both missed the supper dance, and quite frankly there is not one person I wish to converse with who will aid my digestion.”

Of course the last person she wanted to sit with was one of his sisters, and yet she could find no way to escape Essex Sinclair.

“Thank you, that would be lovely.”

“We shall find somewhere quiet. I have some questions about the knitting I am doing, as I believe you also knit for the children. Different styles that I think will help the children through the winter months.”

Lilly drew in a deep breath as Essex started chattering about the children. She nodded and smiled when appropriate, and tried to ignore the tingling in her breasts and heat that flushed her body. Essex had no idea that minutes ago Lilly had been locked in a heated embrace in the arms of her eldest brother. In fact, she doubted anyone would believe it, even if she climbed onto the supper table and yelled the words to every guest. She was struggling with it herself.

It had been madness; nothing else could explain that frenzied need inside her to be consumed by the man. She'd never felt such raw emotion before. Lilly had never thought of herself as passionate-natured, but right at that moment, there on the cold stone floor, she would have allowed that man any liberties he wished with her person.

“Hello, Cam.”

“Essex, Miss Braithwaite.”

Lilly nodded to the Sinclair male as they took seats close to where he sat with a young lady.

“I shall get us some food, if you will sit here, Miss Braithwaite.”

“Oh, I can get mine.”

“Yes, I know, but then someone may take our seats,” Essex said before walking off.

The family, Lilly thought, were all quite authoritative in their own way.

Had she responded with such abandon simply because he was handsome, and no handsome man had ever paid her any attention? Not that she wanted attention. But yes, surely that was it, Lilly reasoned, relieved to have worked through why she had behaved in such a way. Feeling better, she even smiled as Essex Sinclair arrived back at her side with a plate of food.

“I was wondering if perhaps I could drop some more things around to Temple Street one day, Miss Braithwaite?”

Suddenly the food tasted like ashes in her mouth.

She looked at Essex Sinclair. The green eyes were not as vibrant as her brother’s, and the hair not quite as dark, but there was little doubting the blood tie.

“I—ah, Temple Street?”

“I saw you entering there when last I had some things to deliver. I took them myself as I was heading that way. I thought that perhaps you were in some way involved? Perhaps your family owns the house?”

“Oh, yes of course.”

“Forgive me. You seem uncomfortable with my questions.”

Stay calm, Lilly. Because one person knows you visit Temple Street, does not mean anyone else does.

“I am involved, yes, but prefer to keep my involvement a secret.”

Why was her life suddenly so complicated? First this business with Lord Sinclair, and then with his sister. She had managed to keep her secrets close until these people entered her life.

“Oh, of course, and your secret is safe with me, I assure you. Indeed, I have several secrets I have no wish for anyone to hear.”