Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(62)
CHAPTER TWENTY
“I feel fine, Lilly, you don't need to keep touching my head.”
“I'm just checking you are not over warm, Toby,” Lilly said, removing her hand and fussing with the covers instead. She had on a pair of Eden's gloves that had appeared in her room, along with a clean set of clothing.
“Essex said I'm nearly well, just a few more days of rest and I'll be fine again. I was sure I was going to die, Lilly, felt like it anyway, and my wound looks like barely a scratch. Devon says it's all the fine living I've had. It's making me weak.”
“Very possibly.” Lilly didn't look at Toby. How could she when her hands had saved his life? She couldn't tell him, or anyone for that matter. Surely they would lock her away in Bedlam if the news came out.
No one would believe her anyway, and if they did she was sure they would want her to heal them. Shuddering, Lilly thought about the sensation she would create if anyone realized just what she could do.
“Do you want anything else? Food, drink? Or maybe a story?” Lilly said, giving Toby's head one more pat as he shook it. She stood silently beside his bed as his eyes grew heavy, and soon he was asleep, and she knew there was no longer any reason for her to stay in the room, yet she was reluctant to leave it.
She and Devon had fallen back to sleep after their.... Dear Lord, she was blushing just thinking of the things they had done to each other in her cousin's house. Unsettled, she wandered around the room. What would he expect from her now? Could they just resume their life as it had once been? Don't be a fool, Lilly. Devonshire Sinclair was a gentleman; he would never treat her so shabbily.
But if he offered for her, could she accept? Would he let her continue with her children, or try to stop her going to Temple Street? Would he try to control her? Did she want to marry him?
Yes.
Oh Lord, she had complicated the entire situation by falling in love with Devon and then making love to him. She did love him, and that was a revelation, because Lilly had thought herself incapable of the emotion.
But if she wed him then surely it would be better for her, as he too had heightened senses, and would understand what she was capable of.
Knowing she could not stay in this room indefinitely she gave Toby a final look to check he still slumbered, before quietly slipping out the door.
“Good morning, Miss Braithwaite. My name is Buttles, and if you will follow me I will escort you to the breakfast parlor.”
Lilly gave an unladylike squeal as the butler appeared suddenly before her. “I-I did not hear you, sir.”
“Please forgive me, Miss Braithwaite, I have been told I am very light-footed.”
“Surely an excellent thing if you are a butler.” Lilly fell in behind the very straight back of Buttles.
She took the time to steady her nerves and look around her cousin's home. She saw touches of Eden everywhere in the flowers and furnishings. Dark paneling was complemented with pale walls and lovely paintings. Rich carpets muffled her footsteps.
“It is a very nice home, Buttles.”
“The Duchess has an eye for color, Miss Braithwaite, and with help from Lady Samantha and Miss Emily, she has brought the house to life once more.”
Lilly smiled. It was nice to hear how proud he was of both the house and the family who resided in it, and again it made her feel sad that such warmth and love did not fill her brother's house.
The hum of voices told her they had reached their destination.
“Thank you, Buttles, I will be fine now.”
“Very well, Miss Braithwaite.”
Lilly watched the butler leave. Running her hands down the skirts of the dress Eden had lent her, she hoped she could get through the next few minutes without making a fool of herself. Rubbing her forehead, she wondered briefly if the words Scarlet Woman were written all over it, because surely if she so much as glanced Devon's way everyone would know what lay between them. Dear Lord, imagine if he saw it too, saw with his sharp eyes the love she felt for him. Perhaps she should simply leave, without anyone realizing? Yes. Lilly turned; she would— “And where are you going? The breakfast room is this way, Lilly.”
When she turned back, she found Devon now standing in the doorway.
“I, ah, I thought to....”
“Leave?”
The bruise on his jaw looked angry this morning.
“No, I had—Yes, I was going to leave.”
“Why?”
He didn't touch her, and for that she was grateful. He destroyed her concentration.
“I feel like everything has changed now, as if I have lost control and don't know how to regain it.”
“I will help you if you'll let me.”
“I'm not sure how to do that, don't you see?”
He moved closer, and Lilly fought the urge to retreat.
“I don't, actually.” He touched her cheek. “You're not alone now, sweetheart. We will work it out between us.”
Shaking her head, Lilly tried to dislodge his hand from her face, but it simply slipped to her shoulders. “Please, Devon.”
“Please Devon, what?” he said, pulling her slowly toward him.
“I must learn how to deal with all of this now. There is so much to take in. Plus, those children are still missing and I must find out who has taken them—”