Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(19)

Her eyes were amazing this close. Even through the small round lenses, he could see the pale lavender color.

“Well as you can see, I am not bent on anything that will harm your sister, so you may leave.”

“Take your guests to the front parlor, Miss Braithwaite, and I will bring tea.”

“That won't be necessary, as Lord Sinclair is leaving.”

She wanted him gone, and as far away from her as possible.

“I have nothing pressing until this afternoon, Miss Braithwaite, and if Mrs. Davey has a spare cinnamon bun on hand then I would very much like to stay for tea.” Dev followed up his words with a smile, and the housekeeper giggled, as did the maid.

“Stop flirting with Lilliana's staff,” Essie hissed.

“Lord Sinclair is leaving,” Lilliana said, standing still.

“He wishes for tea and one of my cinnamon buns, Miss Braithwaite. Surely you can allow him that?”

Dev could see did not want to allow him anything.

“Will you show me around your house, Miss Braithwaite? Perhaps I can offer my assistance in some way to aid your charitable works?” he said.

“No,” she said, and then she sighed. “Follow me,” she added ungraciously and turned to leave the room.

She stomped up the first and second steps, and Dev felt it was time to extend the hand of friendship and hope she did not use it to beat him over the head repeatedly.

“I know you would never hurt my sister, Miss Braithwaite, and ask that you forgive me if you believed otherwise.”

Her shoulders remained rigid, and she did not respond to his overture.

“I'm sorry I misjudged you for so long. Essex has told me of your good deeds.”

“And I am supposed to fall at your feet in gratitude.” She rounded on him at the top of the stairs. “You are an arrogant, judgmental man.”

“All true, to be fair,” came his sister's reply from over his shoulder.

“Yes, thank you, Essex,” Dev muttered. “You judged me too, Lilliana,” he added, looking at her, their eyes now level.

Her eyes narrowed. “How?”

“You just said I was rude and judgmental, yet have never spoken to me to find out if indeed that was true.” Dev congratulated himself on his comeback as he stopped on the step below hers. All he had to do was lean forward....

“I have watched you, as you no doubt have watched me, and you are a man who likes his own way... always. And we have spoken, just a few nights ago.”

She blushed at the memory, but did not look away.

“Also true.”

“Yes, thank you, Essie, I don't think she needs your encouragement. Will you show me around your house, Lilliana? Please?”

“I gave you no leave to call me Lilliana.” She then turned and walked down the hall and into a small parlor.

“Perhaps, seeing as you are meant to be on my side, sister, you could endeavor to paint me in a more flattering light?”

Dev took Essie's arm as they followed.

“What do I get?”

“I'll take you to that exhibition in the park with all those herbs and flowers you have been harping on about.”

“Done.”

His sister patted his arm and sailed past him into the room, leaving him shaking his head at the mercenary nature of his siblings.

The parlor was painted in pale blue as the hall had been, and furnished simply yet comfortably.

“Will you tell me about the boy you rescued the other night, Lilliana?” Dev and Essie sat while Lilliana moved to stand behind a chair, her gloved hands gripping the back. It was a protective pose, and he hated that she felt the need to do so in his company, yet understood why. A few nights ago he had kissed her senseless.

“You have obviously furnished your sister with the details of that incident?”

She wasn't pleased about that.

“I do not have secrets from my siblings.”

Essie, for once, held her tongue.

“You must know it was reckless of you to be out at such an hour, on those streets, with only a footman at your back.”

“How I conduct myself, my lord, is of no concern to you. Therefore I would ask you to keep your opinions to yourself. In fact, unlike the ballrooms, this is my property, and I do not have to tolerate your presence. Therefore I wish you would leave.”

“I did not know you owned it.”

She realized how much she'd given away in anger, her eyes going from him to Essex. But the thought did not subdue her for long. “Of course I own it. I would not be taking tea in the kitchens otherwise!”

Dev wasn't sure how one led to the other but instead smiled politely. How had she raised the funds to purchase this place? He doubted that fool she had for a brother gave her a penny toward it.

“I think you should leave.”

“I would rather stay,” Dev said politely, which made her teeth snap together.

“Will you show me around your house, Lilliana?” Essie threw her brother a look he could not interpret, which was nothing new; his sisters were a constant mystery to him. “My brother will follow but keep his comments to himself, and let me assure you that, while he can be annoying, he is the best of men most of the time.”

Lilliana's eyes darted from Essie to him and back again. So many emotions chased through the lavender depths it was impossible to decipher each.