Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(16)

Lowering her knife, Lilly looked up. “I beg your pardon?” Stay calm, Lilly.

“You are twenty-five and it is well past time for you to marry.”

Where she was fair, he was dark, his eyes almost black. Taller than her, he was a man who carried no spare weight, and clothes sat well on his lean body. She knew plenty of women who certainly thought so.

“Why the concern for my unmarried state now, Nicholas, when you never usually care for anyone but yourself?”

“It is time,” he snapped. “You are a disgrace to me.”

Lilly's grandmother had left her money that she received in a small yearly sum until her twenty-sixth year. This she spent on the children and Temple Street. The rest would come to her as long as she did not marry first. If she did, it stayed in her family, as she would have no need of it—or so her grandmother had believed.

This was why Lilly had taken pains to remain unattractive when she entered society, not entirely sure whether Nicholas would force her to wed whoever he wished simply to get his hands on her money.

One more year and she would receive her money and set up house on her own. Then she would be rid of him, and could live her life as she chose to. Until today, her plans had been working well.

“Lord Danderfield has inferred he will offer for you soon, and I have told him you will accept.”

“What?” The toast she had just swallowed threatened to choke her. “You cannot force me to wed, Nicholas.”

Her brother's eyes narrowed.

“I can, actually. As no one has offered for you in three seasons, sister, I have decided to take control of the matter. It is time you were taken in hand.”

Stay calm, Lilly.

“Why all of a sudden does this concern you, Nicholas?” Lilly looked at her brother. There had to be a reason; she just needed to find out what. “Father left behind plenty of money; surely you do not need mine also?”

He kept his eyes steady on hers, but she saw something flicker, and then it was gone. Shooting her aunt a look, Lilly noticed she did not look happy. However, she would never naysay Nicholas. He scared her; Lilly was sure of it.

“I have no wish to marry and have my sister still in my household. Therefore, I have decided you will wed Danderfield, and that is all that I will say on the matter.”

“What's happened, Nicholas? For two years you were more than happy with me running your household and ensuring the right amount of starch was in your neckties, and suddenly now you are happy to marry me off to a man old enough to be my grandfather.”

“It is my duty as your brother to see you comfortable and well cared for.”

“Well cared for,” Lilly scoffed. “With Danderfield? Surely you jest.”

“My mind is made up!” he roared.

She realized then. “You've spent it all, haven't you?”

“Lilliana,” this came from her aunt. “I think you have said enough. Your brother wishes only your happiness.”

“No, he doesn't, Aunt Vi. He cares nothing about you or me, only himself, isn't that right, Nicholas.” Her brother would not meet her eyes. “And he has now gambled every cent of my father's money away and wants mine. But he won't get it,” Lilly vowed, climbing to her feet. “I will fight you with everything I have at my disposal, Nicholas. So if you pursue this, be ready for a battle!”

“I am your guardian!” he thundered, rising also. “You will do as I bloody well say!”

“I will not be sacrificed on the altar of your greed, brother, so you can continue to live your licentious lifestyle. If you think I will marry a man old enough to be my grandfather, you can think again.”

Lilly then walked slowly to the door and left the room with her brother roaring at her to stay.

By the time she had reached her room, her hands were shaking and her knees weak. Lilly had never had an encounter like that with her Nicholas, simply because she took the path of least resistance, and before today, he had left her alone. He could do as he said, she knew that. He had the power, but she would not let him win.

“Are you unwell, Miss Braithwaite?”

“I'm fine, Bee, just thinking,” Lilly said as she paced around her room.

“What did your brother say to take the color from your cheeks? You're whiter than a ghost.”

“He said lots of things, as he always does. Now don't fuss, and let us get ready to leave.”

Bee helped Lilly into her coat and bonnet. Grabbing her gloves and reticule, she then left the room with her maid on her heels.

Nicholas was about to leave the house also as she arrived at the front door. Ignoring him, Lilly walked past.

“Where are you going?”

“None of your business,” she snapped

“Lilliana, as your brother—”

“Brother? That statement is laughable, Nicholas.” Lilly kept her voice low, having no wish for the servants to overhear their conversation. “Brothers care for their siblings. You, however, care only for yourself.”

He reached for her, trying to stop her leaving the house, but she stepped to the side, out of range, and continued walking. She did not stop until she was seated inside the carriage her grandmother had left her. She felt her brother’s eyes on her as the carriage pulled from the drive, but she did not look back.