Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(26)
“My name is Lord Sinclair. My uncle, the Earl of Wynburg, is a man most interested in the workings of the Watch, as is my brother-in-law, the Duke of Raven. They are both eager to hear the outcome of today's enquiry, as the children who are forced to make an existence on our streets are a particular concern to both.”
Dev felt Lilly's eyes on him. She didn't glare precisely, but he thought it inferred. The man looked from her to him, and then nodded. His demeanor had changed at the names Dev had dropped into the conversation. He sat up straight, and the pitying look on his face had vanished.
“If you will wait through here, my lord,” he said, opening a door behind him. “I will speak with one of my colleagues over the matter.”
“Excellent. Take a seat, Bee. We shall return shortly.” Dev waved the maid to a seat and then placed a hand to Lilly's back and urged her forward. Her muscles tensed, as if to stop him, but he used enough force to propel her forward or end up on her face.
“I should have my maid with me.”
“She is just outside the door, which is open.”
The room was gray and stark, one table and two chairs. A small window high in the wall afforded dull light and Dev thought that perhaps enough time spent in here under interrogation and he would tell them his secrets too.
“Why do you hide behind that facade in the evenings, when it is clearly not who you are?”
“Pardon?”
The hands that were fussing with her skirts stopped as she looked at him.
Dev positioned his chair close to hers before lowering himself to sit. She attempted to shuffle sideways, but he wasn't allowing that. Leaning close, he braced a hand on the back.
“I cannot work out why you are trying so hard to stop society seeing how beautiful you truly are. And that inside that lovely head is an intelligence to rival many.”
She trilled out a little laugh.
“La, Lord Sinclair, I do declare it is wondrous to hear you speak of my intelligence.”
“It's too late to take a step backward, Lilly. I have seen through you.” Dev cupped her chin, then brushed a finger gently over her lip.
“Stop touching me,” she hissed, trying to remove his hand.
“Tell me the truth.”
She pushed his hand aside.
“You have no right to speak to me so intimately. No right to demand answers from me. We are strangers.”
She was scared, and he knew how she felt, as he was too. This, what lay between them, had sprung to life too quickly, and they were both reeling.
“I have no wish to hurt you, Lilly.”
“If that is indeed true, then being here alone with you will harm my reputation irreparably. Plus, were anyone to hear you speaking to me so intimately, word would spread with haste, and I have no wish for my reputation to be compromised.”
“All true, and yet your activities already do that regularly. Walking about talking to your urchins with only a servant at your side on seedy London streets after dark. Having that house in Temple Street, and what goes on there. So I think my being in this room alone with you is of little concern when the rest is taken into consideration, don't you?”
“I must insist you keep that information to yourself. Were it to get about that I have Temple Street, and have done the things you say, many will not be pleased.”
“I will keep your secrets.”
Their eyes held, and he was suddenly aware of every breath she drew.
“God, you are a beautiful woman.” Dev closed the distance between them.
“Please don't kiss me again.” Her words were a frantic whisper.
“Because you want it as much as I and that scares you.”
She placed a hand on his chest and pushed.
“I am scared of nothing, and most especially not an arrogant nobleman with far too high an opinion of himself.”
“Liar.” Dev kissed her cheek, then sat upright as he heard the door squeak.
“That”—she waved her hand about—”is improper behavior, and I wish you to stop it at once.”
Before Dev could reply, in walked a man.
“Lord Sinclair, I am Sergeant Gavell.”
“Sergeant.” He rose to shake the man's hand.
“Miss Braithwaite.”
“Sergeant.” Lilly nodded.
The man made a lot of fuss about placing his chair on the other side of the desk. Short and round with a bald head, the inspector had a bushy mustache that took up a great deal of his face.
“I understand that you are concerned over the disappearance of six boys who make their living on the streets of London?”
He didn't look at Lilly as he spoke, eyes firmly fixed on Dev, and this, he knew, would not please her.
“As this is my sixth visit here, I wonder you do not know more about this matter. I can also hear the disbelief in your voice, Sergeant Gavell. Do you believe I am making this story up?”
Dev didn't sigh, but he thought about it. The woman had no idea how to deal with a man like the sergeant, who had absolutely no respect for women, even ones of noble birth.
“Sergeant Gavell,” Dev began after shooting her a look that he hoped she interpreted to mean be quiet. “As you are aware, my uncle, brother-in-law, and I are actively involved in helping those less fortunate than ourselves, and we believe these children fall into that category.”