Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(42)

Further conversation ceased as the carriage pulled to a stop. Dev climbed down with Toby behind him and then he turned to help Lilly.

“Thank you, my lord.”

“It was my pleasure, Miss Braithwaite.”

She ignored the mocking tone of his voice and followed Toby down the street.





CHAPTER FOURTEEN


Dr. Engle’s House of Ghoulish Horrors was housed in a narrow alley below the ground. A large black sign with bloodred writing indicated they had arrived at their destination. However, if Lilly had not been sure she was at the correct location, Lord Sinclair's scowling family all standing outside awaiting him would have been a clear indication.

“You're late, Dev!”

This cry came from the young boy standing beside Essex and Cambridge Sinclair, as they approached.

Lilly watched, surprised, as Lord Sinclair reached his family and bent to hug the three children. Whatever he said into their ears had them laughing in seconds.

She felt suddenly off-balance again, as she was when he removed her glove. Men like him were not supposed to be this way. They were aloof and left the raising of siblings and children to nannies and mothers. He wasn't meant to appear human in her eyes.

Yet hadn't she seen him with Sam, and just now in the carriage with Toby, and of course with Bee and Mrs. Davey? She needed to hate this man, yet was sure the softening in her heart suggested the opposite. Not a good idea, Lilly, she reminded herself.

“How lovely to see you, Miss Braithwaite, and in my brother’s carriage.”

“And you, Mr. Sinclair,” Lilly said, looking at the younger brother, who was a smaller version of Devon.

“Cambridge, please,” he said, bowing.

“Your brother came to my assistance when I... ah....”

“Became lost,” Lord Sinclair said, turning with his little sisters’ hands in his. “These are my sisters, Miss Braithwaite, Dorset and Somerset, and my youngest brother, Warwickshire.”

The girls curtseyed and the boy bowed, although his eyes were fixed on the entrance of Dr. Engle’s House of Ghoulish Horrors.

“How lovely to meet you, and I would be honored you if you would call me Lilliana, as Miss Braithwaite seems such a mouthful, don't you think.”

She heard Devon Sinclair snort, and knew it was because she had told him he must address her correctly.

“And this is Toby,” Lilly said, taking the boy's hand and pulling him forward. His reluctance was obvious and she knew how he felt. She was never very good around strangers, and he had never known children who were raised differently from him.

“Are you going inside too?”

“We are,” Lilly told Warwick when he questioned Toby.

“Can I walk with you, because they giggle and shriek and hold on to me when they're scared,” Warwick said, his face a picture of disgust as he nodded toward his sisters, who were now poking their tongues out at him.

“Suppose,” Toby said, shrugging.

“This is a nice surprise,” Essex Sinclair said, slipping her arm through Lilly's. “Another woman to even up the numbers.” She laughed, making light of what to Lilly felt like a very awkward situation. What must they think of her, arriving in their brother's carriage?

“That combination of roses and cinnamon you wear, Miss Braithwaite, is really rather stunning on the senses.”

Lilly looked at Cambridge Sinclair in surprise. How had he known what her special blend of fragrance was from where he stood, several feet away? Was her scent too strong? Perhaps she should wear less in future?

“I have a good sense of smell,” he added, as if reading her thoughts.

“Can we go in now, pleeeeease?”

“Yes, Warwick, however whining like a girl is not very attractive in men.”

“And yet if my memory serves me correctly,” Essie said to Cambridge, “Mother always said no one whined quite like you.”

Even Lilly snuffled behind her hand as Cambridge lunged at his sister, who in turned skipped from his reach with a giggle.

She had never been around family who actually seemed to enjoy each other's company. It was quite a revelation.

Lilly felt Lord Sinclair's large, warm hand on the small of her back, but while she stiffened, she said nothing. His family was nearby, and she had no wish to draw attention to herself.

They walked down the steps and into the small foyer of Dr. Engle’s House of Ghoulish Horrors. She then watched Lord Sinclair move to the front of the small party and pull some money from his pocket.

“I can pay for Toby and myself, Lord Sinclair,” Lilly said as he held up eight fingers.

“You could, but as I have already done so that would be a shame.”

“Oh but—”

“You get used to that.”

“Get used to what?” Lilly questioned Essex as they followed her siblings through the door the proprietor had indicated.

“Him taking control. Unfortunately, he has had to do it for so long we just stand back now and let him.”

“I don't have to let him,” Lilly muttered, following the others into the room and immediately coming to an abrupt halt as the door behind them slammed shut, and she was surrounded by darkness.

“Can I walk with Warwick, Lilly? I know you're scared of the dark, so if you say no that's all right too.”