Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(48)

“No,” Dev held Nicholas's eyes. “It can't.”

“You'll have to wait, Sinclair. As you can see I'm on a winning streak, and unlike your brother, I won't be dragged from the table like an errant schoolboy.”

Braithwaite was nervous; Dev could see it in his body. His eyes were flitting from Dev to the cards in his hand. They had shared no more than a handful of words since the business that night with Cam, and possibly that was because where he went, Nicholas Braithwaite made sure he did not.

“Braithwaite, I will not ask politely next time,” Dev said, not raising his voice, but there must have been something in his tone because everyone at the table grew still. He didn't usually make scenes, but for Lilly he would make an exception.

He needed information about her, and to get that he had to start with those closest to her.

“Gentlemen, it seems I must leave you briefly. I shall return in due course, after my brief conversation with Lord Sinclair.”

Dev watched the man rise and move to his side.

“You can bloody well walk me back to the ballroom; that is the only time I will allow you, Sinclair. I had a winning hand, damn you!”

“I think not,” Dev said, taking his arm and pushing him toward the doors that led to a hall. He marched Braithwaite down it until he found an empty room.

“Unhand me at once!”

Ignoring him, Dev shoved the man through the doorway and slammed the door shut behind him. He had to give Braithwaite some credit; he did not move away from him, instead standing his ground.

“Be quick. I have little time for the likes of you, Sinclair. Poor country boy who lives off his uncle's coattails.”

Dev ignored the taunt and let the silence stretch until he was sure Nicholas's nerves were taut, and then he spoke.

“Where is your sister?”

Surprise flashed across the man's face.

“What has my sister's location got to do with you, country boy?”

There were only so many insults a man could take, especially when worry was riding him hard. It was just a small tap to the face, but it made Braithwaite's head snap back and when he righted himself his upper lip had begun to swell.

“Try that again,” Dev growled.

“How dare you strike me! Why, I'll have you thrown out!”

“Not keen on challenging me yourself, Nicholas, like most men would do?” Dev said, putting an emphasis on the word men. “Of course, you like to get a man when he is down, don't you, Braithwaite? Make sure your victims are already weakened before you strike. How terribly brave you are.”

Dev was usually a peaceful man, yet he had to admit to enjoying taunting Lilly’s brother, partly because of Cambridge, but more importantly, Lilly.

He now cared for her, and after talking with James again, they believed this man had not treated her as she deserved.

Handsome and rich, Nicholas Braithwaite appeared to have it all. Everything that should have made him so much more than he had become. But what got to Dev the most was the fact that this was Lilly's big brother, and it seemed he had failed in that role. To him, that was an unpardonable sin.

“Where... is... your... sister?”

Braithwaite didn't speak quickly enough for Dev, so he took a step closer to him once more.

“Sh-she didn't come home today!”

“Home from where?”

“Shopping.”

The fist in Dev's stomach clenched tighter.

“And where have you looked for her?”

Nicholas dropped his eyes.

“I asked you a question, Braithwaite. Where have you looked for her?”

“Her servants did not return either, so it's my belief she has run away. I am simply waiting to hear word to that effect. I will then see she is brought back to London.”

Dev clenched his fists and took a deep breath.

“Why would she run away?”

“This is none of your business, Sinclair.”

“Answer the question or I will beat the answer from you.”

“I-I have consented to a match between her and Lord Danderfield. My sister is taking some time to understand that I have her best interests at heart.”

“You would place your sister in the hands of such a man?”

Nicholas Braithwaite stumbled backward as Dev roared at him.

“What the hell has she done to deserve such a fate? Damn you, she is your sister, for God's sake!”

“Sh-she needs to marry.”

“Why?” Dev stood over the man, deliberately intimidating him.

“That is none of your business.”

Looking at the guilt in Nicholas Braithwaite's eyes, Dev began to understand his motives. “It's money you want, isn't it? You're selling your sister to save yourself.”

“No, it is time she wed.”

“You're lying. I know this because like your sister, you drop your eyes. I'll tell you something else, Braithwaite. Sisters are something to be treasured. They are the softer part of us. The part that knows when you need to be hugged. The part that can make you laugh and cry. Quite simply, without my sisters I would be nothing.”

“W-we are not like that.”

“Like what? Loving? You weak-kneed fool. She is your little sister; she should have to look no further for support than you.”