Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(24)

“But you do.”

Dear God, she feared he was right, and that all the turmoil inside her was not because she loathed and detested him, but in fact because she liked him. Needing distance to draw a deep, calming breath, Lilly hurried to the kitchens to tell Bee they were leaving. Distance, she reminded herself. Distance would heal whatever madness was currently taking up residence inside her head.



Lilly looked out the carriage window as they journeyed to the Watch House. Lord Sinclair had attempted to converse with her, yet she had been equally determined to get their relationship back on the footing it had held for the last two years.

His words before they left Temple Street had disturbed her, and she knew he was right. She could like him, but she would not. Could not. Therefore, she would retreat.

“Those buns were the best I have tasted.”

She looked at him, but his eyes were on Bee. A maid, for pity’s sake. Did the man not know that noblemen did not converse with maids—not that she didn't converse with staff, but still, he was a lord.

“I could get the recipe for you, my lord. Mrs. Davey would not mind, I am sure.”

“Could you indeed? I should be most obliged.”

His eyes lit at the prospect, making him look less like an intimidating peer and more like an eager young boy.

“My younger siblings would enjoy them.”

“How many of you are there, my lord? If you don't mind me asking?”

“Not at all, Miss…?”

“Just Bee, my lord.”

Lilly watched her usually stoic maid smile. It took a great deal to get such reaction from her in the normal course of a day.

“Well, Bee, I'm the eldest. My sister Essex comes next, and then Cambridge and Eden. We have a jump then to the twins, Dorset and Somerset, aged nine years, and lastly Warwickshire.”

“And you are called Devonshire,” Lilly said, intrigued despite herself.

“Yes, we are each named after a location in England. My parents traveled a lot.” He finished with a shrug, looking at her.

“It must be very noisy.”

Lilly saw the small laugh lines bracketing his mouth as he smiled, and those emerald-green eyes sparkled like the brightest gems. He was dangerous. Very dangerous, and she must always remember that fact. Men were not to be trusted.

“That, Bee, is an understatement. The noise is sometimes deafening, especially when we play games. It's the squealing; it gets into your eardrums and is mighty hard to dislodge.”

“And you would have it no other way, my lord.”

“Too true, Bee. I am indeed blessed to have so much love in my life.”

It was petty of her to hate him for that statement, yet Lilly did.

“We have arrived,” she said minutes later, relieved that she could get out of the carriage and away from him. He took up too much room with his long legs and large feet. Not to mention the smell of the man. Her brother wore some overpowering cologne, as did plenty of other men she knew, but not him. For some reason it reminded Lilly of the countryside. The trees, grass, earth. Inhaling his scent made her feel... alive.



Dev stepped down before Lilly, holding out a hand. She was forced to take it, and he lowered her to the ground.

“Come, Bee.” She did not acknowledge him, instead addressing her maid.

“Yes, Miss Braithwaite.”

Together they stood looking across the road at the brick fa?ade. It was not a building that made a person take a second look. The windows were clean but unadorned, the five front steps painted gray.

“I understand your reasons for being here, Lilly, yet would caution you that it is highly unlikely you will receive the answers you seek yet again.”

He would do what he could for her, yet she needed to know that it was very likely another fruitless endeavor they were embarking on.

“Perhaps if you have that attitude then it would be best if you stayed in the carriage. I shall leave Bee with you, so you may continue your cozy chat with her, Lord Sinclair.”

“She is a most excellent conversationalist, to be sure. However, I have said I will accompany you, so I shall leave further discussions about cinnamon buns for another day.”

“Don't laugh at me!”

“Then don't be ridiculous, and I shall not be forced to.”

He reached for her arm as she stepped away from him, but she was too quick and started across the street. Dev turned to look for any approaching traffic. He saw the carriage and the intent face of the driver. Raising his whip, the man urged his horses faster. The street was busy, so he had no cause to be traveling at such speed.

Looking to where Lilly was in the middle of the road, Dev started in her direction. The carriage would not touch her on its present course, yet it would pay for her to increase her pace.

Throwing the driver another look, he then felt it again, that sudden surge of desperation he had experienced twice in his life before. The carriage changed direction and veered toward Lilly.

“Run, Lilly!”

“Miss Braithwaite!” Bee's cry did not reach her either.

Head down, she continued walking. Dev started running, desperate to reach her and keep her safe. Seconds later she was in his arms. He took a huge leap that carried them to safety before the carriage flew past.

He cursed as his knees wobbled, but he managed to remain upright. Heart thudding so hard Dev felt breathless, he tightened his grip on her.