Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(15)

Cam squirmed in his seat as Dev continued.

“She is now related to us by the union of our sister to her brother. Therefore she is family and under our protection. I will say nothing further, only that were one of our sisters treated to such shabby manners you would likely seek retribution.”

Cam sighed then looked at his brother. “You do that better than any person I know.”

“Do what?”

“Serve up a scolding without raising your voice. I am now duly shamed and will seek to apologize with haste.”

“Excellent. Now, Essie and I are going out. The children are with their tutor until lunchtime. If you want to join them, I'm sure they will welcome your presence.”

Cam thought about Dev's words then nodded. “I wonder if they've had story time yet.”

Essie laughed as she followed Dev from the room.

“I don't believe I invited you to accompany me to visit with Miss Braithwaite, Dev. Perhaps you dancing with her and that other incident that happened the other night will go some way toward changing your dislike of each other. However, I don't think she'd want you knowing about the house in Temple Street.”

Following his sister silently down the stairs to the front entrance, he thought about his words.

“It is my duty to ensure your safety, sister, and to do that I need to see where it is you go. Starting with Temple Street.”

Essie scoffed, then snorted as she put on her jacket, hat, and gloves.

“Do you honestly believe I will fall for that line? You are interested in Miss Braithwaite, no matter how much you deny it.”

Taking his time, he too put on his hat and gloves before answering.

“I have no idea what you are referring to. There is also the small matter of her choice of clothing. I could never befriend a woman who wears mustard and brown together.” Dev faked a shudder.

Essie looked at him for several seconds and then, smiling, she patted his hand and walked out the front door. Dev followed, not liking the look on her face one bit.





CHAPTER SIX


Lilly woke slowly and lay in the dark for long minutes, remembering her dreams. The children had been screaming and running, trying to evade a man whose face she could not identify. Desperate to reach them, she had run too, but could never quite catch up to them. Then he had been there, Lord Sinclair. Like some dark avenging angel, he had protected the children and her.

What did that mean? Throwing back the covers, she swung her legs out of bed.

“It means he is occupying far too many of your thoughts, and it must stop.”

That kiss had disturbed her, and not just because it was her first. Her reaction to that man was terrifying. Lilly didn't touch people; she'd learned early in her life that the results were not pleasing, so she kept her gloves on at all times. But him, Lord Sinclair, he had touched her face and neck, kissed her lips, and Lord, the sensations had been beyond anything she could describe. A thousand tiny feelings had traveled through her body, and Lilly had been a slave to them, to him, within seconds. Never again, she vowed.

“I will have a tray in my room, Bee,” she said as her maid opened the curtains.

“Your brother wishes you to come down for breakfast, Miss Braithwaite.”

Groaning, Lilly buried her head in the pillow.

“Why? What is Nicholas doing out of bed at such an hour?”

Her maid was tall and willowy, but Lilly had realized that in the case of Beatrice Moulds, appearances were deceiving. The woman was as strong as a carthorse.

“As to that, I am unsure. However your aunt will also be there.”

Lilly stripped off her nightdress and stepped into the steaming tub of water. Her family rarely ate together. She and Aunt Vi usually, but never Nicholas, as he was sleeping off whatever night of depravity he had participated in.

“We leave for Temple Street immediately I finish my morning meal, Bee, so please be ready.”

They were to meet Essex Sinclair there. And while Lilly was not comfortable about the fact she was Lord Sinclair's sister, there was little she could do about the matter, as her hand had been forced.

She dressed and walked to the breakfast parlor.

“Your family are seated, Miss Braithwaite.”

“Thank you, Hopkins.”

“You are late!”

Ignoring her brother because she knew it would annoy him, Lilly kissed her aunt's cheek.

“Good morning, Aunt Vi.”

“Hello, darling. I trust you slept well?”

“Indeed I did.”

Their mother's sister, Lady James, had come to live with them after Lilly's parents’ deaths, as her children had set up their own homes and had no need of her. Gentle and sweet-natured, she was the perfect chaperone for Lilly, because she was happy to let her come and go as she pleased from the house.

Taking her seat, she nodded to the maid to pour her tea.

“I have gathered everyone here this morning to make an announcement.”

“One hopes it takes you from the house for an extended period of time,” Lilly said, reaching for the toast.

She and her brother had once been friends, but all that changed when their father had passed away and Nicholas began to believe himself too important to spend time with her.

“I will ignore that statement in favor of my own,” he said in a haughty voice. “I have decided, Lilliana, you will marry before this season is over, and I have selected your bridegroom.”