Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(18)

“Who?”

“I will slap you in a minute, Devonshire Sinclair, just see if I don't!” Essie snapped.

“Such unladylike behavior, Essex.” Dev tut-tutted, because when a Sinclair had an opening to needle a sibling he took it.

“You, sir, are a dastardly cur!”

“I do believe that hurt, Essex.”

“Oaf.”

“Now that's more like the sister I know and love,” he said, and then gave a bark of laughter as she poked her tongue out at him.

Standing back as she knocked on the front door, he watched it open. The man who appeared was neatly dressed and wore a gentle smile that made his own lips twitch to respond.

“Surely a murderous individual,” his sister hissed at him. Dev smiled, but did not reply.

“My name is Miss Sinclair and this is my brother, Lord Sinclair. We have come to see Miss Braithwaite.”

“Miss Braithwaite told me to expect your arrival, Miss Sinclair. Please come this way. She is at present taking tea in the kitchens, but told me to see you to the parlor. I shall collect her.”

“Tea. Dear God, run for your lives,” Essie muttered. “Taking tea is such a dangerous pastime.”

“Careful you don't cut the inside of your mouth with that tongue, sister.”

“Oh, please do not disturb her. Perhaps we could simply take tea there also?” Essie said, smiling.

“Oh, I-I'm not sure that would be right.” He looked worried, and Dev thought he was unused to receiving visitors such as they. Deciding he wanted to see Lilliana Braithwaite taking tea in the kitchens, he said, “Please lead on, sir. My sister wishes to take tea in the kitchens.”

The man moved at his command, and Dev motioned Essie to follow. He heard a woman's laughter as they drew near, the sound carefree and light, and he knew it was her because his body tensed in expectation. Drawing in a deep breath, Dev forced himself to appear calm as he walked into the kitchen.

Miss Lilliana Braithwaite was seated on the kitchen bench, swinging her legs like a child while eating a large bun. Her face was turned in profile, but even with his limited view he saw the genuine smile she was bestowing on the two other women in the room. It was open and natural and held him motionless.

God, she was sweet.

“Miss Braithwaite.”

She turned as Essex spoke, the smile falling from her face as she saw him. The heat from the kitchens had put color in her cheeks, and sugar dotted to her lips. Dev battled the impulse to close the distance between them and lick it off.

“Wh-what are you doing here?”

The bun fell from her hands as she scrambled to climb off the bench. In her haste she nearly landed in a tangle of limbs on the floor. Stumbling several steps, she managed to remain upright.

“Forgive me for bringing him.”

Dev watched his sister hurry forward to clasp Lilliana's fingers, but she quickly pushed them behind her back so Essie was forced to touch her arm instead.

“I know you have no wish for anyone to know of Temple Street, but he forced me to tell him.”

Dev withstood glares from both women.

“He wanted to check that I was not going anywhere dangerous.”

She still did not face him directly, but Dev kept his eyes on the delightfully flustered Lilliana. Unlike her choice of gowns in the evenings, this one was a simple cream muslin day dress with small blue flowers. The material did not swamp her figure, and allowed him to see what he had already guessed: Lilliana Braithwaite was a curved and lush bundle of woman. Her hair was pulled back into a bun and adorned with nothing more sinister than a blue velvet band that circled her head.

Dev watched as she retrieved her gloves from the bench behind her and hastily pulled them on, then her glasses.

“Oh please, don't—”

“I like to wear gloves in company.”

She cut Essie's words off, and Dev wondered at her need to cover her hands. Were they scarred in some way, or was she simply a lady who did not like to have people touching her?

“Oh, well then.” Essie looked uncomfortable. “I am truly sorry he is here.” She scowled at Dev once more.

“Please do not fuss, Miss Sinclair. Your brother is protective toward you, and I cannot fault that.”

“Essex, please.”

Dev watched as she smoothed the fingers of her gloves in little agitated movements.

“My secret is out, it seems.”

“Secret?” Dev queried, realizing that once again her voice appeared different from the high, grating tone she used in the evenings.

Reluctantly she turned to face him. “I run a high-class brothel here, Lord Sinclair, and as you can see Mrs. Davey is my highest-paid girl.” Enjoying her new role, the housekeeper erupted into giggles. “And it is my intention to recruit your sisters.”

Dev's eyes went to the bruise she had received that night he had caught her. The night that had started his intrigue with this woman.

“It is changing color,” he said, moving closer and running his thumb over her chin. He wanted to touch her, needed to see if his reaction to her had been merely a single experience.

It wasn't. He dropped his hand. It tingled.

“You can leave now, my lord, your sister is safe here.” She backed away from him.

“I protect what is mine, Miss Braithwaite, and I will not apologize for checking my sister's movements.”