Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(21)

Lilly turned her attention away from the disturbing nobleman and equally disturbing thoughts running through her head to focus on his sister. She and Essie discussed the children's needs.

“How many children do you watch over, Lilly?”

“In truth, there are many who need help. However, some of them are too scared to come forward when they are in trouble or unwell. Those that do are usually desperate and have little choice.”

“Do they come here or must you always go into the streets to find them?”

“One of the boys, Toby, lives here with Mr. and Mrs. Davey. He was injured and has stayed ever since,” Lilly said, shooting a quick look at Sam. He would not stay here; she would see him safe to one of her family's estates. Unlike Toby, he would not refuse to go.

“He is my eyes and ears. The children go to him if they need me, and he takes things to them. Sometimes I will go to a place that I know is safe to see them. When winter arrives, some of the cold nights send them here. Mr. and Mrs. Davey will feed them, and let them sleep in the kitchens when the beds are full.”

“It must be hard for you to leave here after the season,” Essex said.

Lilly nodded. In fact, it was unbearable to leave London with her family and retire to her brother's estate. Mrs. Davey wrote with updates on how the children were doing, yet it was not enough. One more year and she would be able to do as she wished—if she could stay unmarried, that was.

They talked for a while longer and then Sam called her back to the bed.

“Did you enjoy that story, Sam?” Lilly said.

“Yes, and Lord Sinclair is going to come back soon and tell me another one.”

“Is he?”

“I have promised the boy. Therefore I will deliver on that promise, Lilliana.”

He had moved to stand beside her and Lilly fought the urge to shuffle away. This man had kissed her—really kissed her—and she had felt it to the soles of her feet.

“Toby was here this morning, Lilly, and he says another boy is missing.”

“When did it happen?” Lilly took Sam's fingers and held them tight. She had not stopped this happening as she had promised.

“Last night. They got little Teddy this time. He just vanished like the others, and no one knows where to.”

Aware of that the Sinclairs were listening, Lilly lowered her voice.

“It's all right, Sam. I will pay another visit to the local Watch House to look into it, and demand that someone investigates the matter at once. But right now it is most important that you rest and heal.”

“Toby said to tell you he was going out to see if anyone had heard anything. He'll come back later and tell you what he's learned or send you a message.”

“All right. Now, you sleep and I will come and see you before I go.”

She hugged Sam and kissed the top of his head. Unlike the adults in her life, her children expected nothing from her but what was in her power to give.

“Good day, Sam.”

“Good day to you, Lord Sinclair, Miss Sinclair.”

Lilly closed the door softly behind them as they left Sam to rest. She led the way back downstairs, and this time she would insist Lord Sinclair depart. She did not want him in her house a second longer.





CHAPTER EIGHT


“What was Sam talking about, Lilliana?” Essex asked as they reached the parlor door on their way to the front door. “Is it connected with what took place the other night with Dev?”

“It matters not.” She dismissed the words and took another step, but a hand stopped her.

“Perhaps we could help with this problem?”

“It is my problem, Lord Sinclair.”

“I have brought the tea.”

“Lord Sinclair was just leaving, Mrs. Davey.” Lilly tried to head off her housekeeper.

“I cannot leave without eating one of those buns, Mrs. Davey. In fact, I am half tempted to move into Temple Street myself, if this is the standard of fare I would be assured.”

Lilly doubted the housekeeper would fall for such obvious flattery, yet when she glanced at the woman, her cheeks were flushed and she was beaming.

“It is an honor, my lord, to have a healthy appetite in the house. We do not have many visitors.”

Lilly could hardly stay in the hall when he and his sister were making their way back into the parlor behind Mrs. Davey, but she wanted to. In fact, she was tempted to walk out the front door and leave them there.

“Can I pour you a cup, Miss Braithwaite?”

“No thank you, Mrs. Davey.”

“Does not eat near enough,” Lilly heard the woman mutter as she left the room.

She did not want to sit, because that gave Lord Sinclair a target to look at and she did not feel comfortable under his disturbing gaze, so she walked around the room. Surely the height of rudeness when her guests sat, and yet she cared little about that. This was Temple Street; here she did not cater to the whims of others, only the children.

“How long have young children been going missing off the streets of London, and how came you to be chasing that man and rescuing one of them?”

Lord Sinclair asked the question.

“If I tell you, will you leave?”

“Tell us and then we shall see.”

“Come, Lilliana. We only wish to help, nothing more. Tell us what is happening to those sweet children.”