Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(22)

Lilly told them then, because of Essex Sinclair's words. They were children who needed all the help they could get, and perhaps in telling their story she would achieve that. Much as he unsettled her, Lord Sinclair had powerful people at his back, and with a word from him, those people may champion her cause also.

“Six children have now gone missing over the last four weeks. Wilson and I have called at the local Watch House after each abduction to alert them and ensure someone would look into the matter. However, I was dismissed each time as a hysterical woman. I then demanded to see whoever was in charge, but was merely waved away as if I were some addlepated woman with few wits.”

“Well, it is fair to say that I, and others in society, believe you just that, Lilliana.”

“Dev!” Essex Sinclair looked at her brother, horrified. Lilly, however, had the ridiculous urge to laugh. She swallowed it.

“I have no idea what you speak of.”

He studied her.

“Your dresses are hideous, your hair would please any bird looking for a nest, and you speak like an empty-headed fool.”

“Please do not hold back, my lord. It is my fondest wish to receive unwanted fashion advice from you. Not to mention slurs upon my character.” Lilly was sure she should be angrier at his attack, and yet she wasn't. Perhaps because, for once, someone was seeing the real her.

“Dev, you are being rude.”

“But truthful.” He did not look at his sister but kept his eyes on Lilly.

“I have no wish to discuss this matter further. You wanted to hear about the missing children, and so I told you. I did not do so to offer you the opportunity to assassinate my character.”

“Perhaps if you had stayed calm when speaking with the men at the Watch House, it may have helped.”

Essex Sinclair groaned at her brother's words.

“How do you know I did not stay calm?” Lilly demanded. “It is extremely hard to stay calm when dealing with idiots. One of the men had the audacity to say it was a blessing to get a few of the children off the streets, like you would rid a home of vermin!”

He raised one hand. “I am not accusing you, just pointing out that you will get nowhere if you do not stay calm and rational.”

“I was entirely rational!”

Lilly looked at Essex when she snuffled.

“If you were this calm and rational, then I can imagine how the meeting at the Watch went, Lilly.”

“Miss Braithwaite,” she snapped. “Not Lilliana or Lilly!”

“Forgive me,” he said, and the wicked look in his eyes did not appease her.

“I do not like people patronizing me, nor do I like men believing that because I don't wear pants I am therefore a fool.”

“I shall remember not to make the same mistake.”

Lilly did not like the way he phrased those words, as they suggested the future included more time spent in each other’s company.

“He is always calm and rational,” Essex then said, nodding to her brother. “It is most frustrating for the rest of his siblings.”

“Someone has to be. We would continually be arguing if I did not put a stop to it.”

Lilly watched him swallow another mouthful of what, by her count, was his third cinnamon bun. He would be an uncomfortable husband for whoever he married. Intimidating just by his large presence, and he would want control.

“Have you any idea at all about who has the children? Are there no whispers on the streets?”

“The other night, Toby heard a rumor that they were to take another child from the area we were in. So Wilson and I arrived to attempt to keep the children safe, and this time we succeeded. But we cannot watch them all.”

“That was extremely foolhardy of you, Lilly. You could have been hurt or abducted yourself.”

She waved his words away. “My concern is for the children, not myself. Toby is spreading the word that I will offer a reward for any news about whoever is behind this.”

“Is that wise? Surely you will have any number of people calling here hoping to claim the reward?”

“I am not a fool, Lord Sinclair. All information will come through Toby.”

“I never suggested you were a fool, Lilly.”

His usual drawl had become more clipped as she challenged him. Good. Perhaps if he knew she was no meek and mild lady, he would stay away from her.

“My name is Miss Braithwaite,” Lilly said. “Your sister can call me Lilliana, but that is because I like her!”

“I do believe that hurt.” He rubbed his chest and tried to look wounded. Lilly was not fooled.

“Do you know all the missing boys, Lilly? It must be distressing for you,” Essex Sinclair said, ignoring her brother.

“I know a few of them. But Teddy, the latest boy to go missing, was here last winter when he became sick.”

“And you believe the children selected are random? Not all boys, or girls. Short or tall, large or small?”

“Randomly,” Lilly said, looking reluctantly at Lord Sinclair as she addressed his question. “Are you thinking they are being taken for a specific reason?”

“What does your brother say on the matter? Perhaps if he were to intervene on

your—”

“My brother is a busy man, and knows nothing of this, and I would beg you to keep it that way. Lord Sinclair.”