Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(49)

He wouldn't look at Dev.

“If any harm has come to her, Braithwaite, my advice to you is to leave town, because if I ever see you again, you will know fear.”

“She is t-testing me,” he rasped.

Disgusted, Dev left to find his brother before he beat the man senseless. Had she run away? Would she simply leave her house in Temple Street? Was that where she had run too?

Cam was where he had left him.

“Braithwaite said she did not return home from shopping today, and neither did her maid or footman. He believes she has run away to show him she will not marry Lord Danderfield.”

“Good God, he does not mean to wed her to that revolting man, surely?”

Dev gave a curt nod. “It's my belief he is doing so because he has used up all his money and is now in debt.”

“He wants Danderfield's money.”

“James said Lilly's grandmother left her money, and thought the majority may come to her when she reaches a certain age if she does not wed. Perhaps this money is what he is after, rather than the settlement from Danderfield.”

Cam whistled. “Whatever the situation is, we need to find her. I wonder if she is at Temple Street, Dev?”

“Pardon me, my lord.”

A smartly dressed servant stood at Dev's elbow. He looked uncomfortable and his face was flushed.

“Yes?”

“A Mr. Davey has appeared at the servants’ entrance asking to speak with you, Lord Sinclair. I would normally have turned him away, but he said it was a life or death matter, and you would not be pleased if I were to do so. He has a young boy with him, and both seem extremely agitated. He said they would not leave until I mentioned the name Miss Braithwaite to you.”

“Take me to him at once, please,” Dev said as the knot in his stomach grew larger. With Cam on his heels, he headed out of the ballroom and down a long hallway, then a set of narrow stairs and through a door at the bottom. Mr. Davey stood with Toby at his side in a small entranceway. Both their faces were lined with worry.

“Lord Sinclair!” Toby called to him as he approached.

“My lord.” Mr. Davey bowed.

“Thank you, I know them.” Dev handed out several notes he had pulled from his pocket to the two servants who appeared to be standing guard. “I would be grateful for a moment alone with them, if you please.”

The staff left to go about their duties, leaving the Sinclair brothers with Mr. Davey and Toby.

“Tell me what has happened, Mr. Davey?”

“I have grave concerns for my mistress.”

Dev nodded for him to continue.

“Bee, Miss Braithwaite's maid, and her footman, Wilson, were brought to Temple Street by Miss Braithwaite's driver, as Temple Street was nearby and he knew they needed help immediately.”

Dev tried to stay calm, when inside, his stomach was twisting into knots.

“He found them lying on the ground. Mr. Wilson had been knocked over the head, and Bee also hurt. Of Miss Braithwaite there was no sign. Bee managed to tell us that her mistress received a note while out shopping. It said children were in trouble in Jane Street. She went to investigate, and she, Bee, and Wilson were set upon by men.”

“Bee said the note came from me, but I can't write, and Lilly knew this, but went anyway,” Toby added, his face pale and drawn with worry.

Dev bit back the anger at Lilly's reckless behavior, nodding for the boy to continue.

“I went out and looked for her everywhere, and put the word out for any information, but I ain't heard nothing back yet,” Toby said. “I think it’s got something to do with the missing children. Lilly's been interfering, and those that are taking them must be aware of that.”

“But to take a woman of noble birth is a risk.” Cam entered the conversation.

“Not if the man who is taking the boys is of noble birth,” Dev said slowly.

“Care to enlighten me as to what the hell is going on?”

Dev turned to see James appear.

“Your sisters had an uneasy feeling all was not well with you, and sent me to find you at once. I asked a footman where Lord Sinclair and his reprobate brother had gone to, and he led me here.”

Dev's chest was burning.

“Your cousin is missing, James, and you need to go to the Watch House and alert them, then collect every servant from your house and my uncle’s. We need to start searching at once.”

“Lilly?” James frowned, his eyes going from Dev to Toby. “How do you know she is missing?”

“She has not arrived,” Cam said, “and Dev is uneasy.”

“Has her brother, Lord Braithwaite, been notified?” James questioned. He did not doubt Dev’s intuition.

Toby and Mr. Davey looked blank.

“I have just spoken with him and he has no idea where she is,” Dev said.

“But how can that be?” James looked confused. “She is his sister for Christ’s sake!”

“Come there is more, but we need to start looking, because the feeling inside me says she is in danger,” Dev urged everyone from the room, Toby and Mr. Davey included. “We will gather everyone and leave at once.” They soon found themselves in the front entrance. Wide-eyed, the man and boy stayed close as they took in the elegant surroundings and stares from the guests they passed.