Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(63)

“You will not be doing that alone, Lilly. I need your assurance on that.”

“I am no fool.”

“If that were true, why did you go to Lady Jane Street when you knew that note was not from Toby?”

“I had to.”

“No, you didn't. It would have been a simple task to send me word of where you were heading.”

“I am not used to consulting others about my actions.”

“However, you will get used to it,” he said, giving her a final tug so she fell against him. “And I won't let you run from me now, not after last night.”

“There is so much to take in,” Lilly whispered again. “What you told me and what I have learned about myself—”

“May I enquire what is going on in my hallway?” James drawled, appearing behind Devon.

“Your cousin was about to run away, and I was attempting to dissuade her.”

“Was she just. We cannot have that,” James added. “There is now danger out there for you, Lilly. You will be running nowhere. Measures need be taken to keep you safe.” He ignored Lilly's scowl. “Bring her into the breakfast room, Sinclair. We need to talk.”

“And I have no say in the matter?” Lilly said loudly.

“None,” both men replied.

Devon led her into the room behind James. Around the table sat Eden and two others; Lilly guessed they were her cousins.

“Samantha, Emily, this is your cousin Lilly,” James said.

“Hello, Lilly,” the youngest said. She was blonde and blue-eyed with ringlets with a big floppy yellow bow tied in her hair.

“Hello, Miss Braithwaite.” Lilly knew with just a glance that Emily was not quite as comfortable in this setting as her younger sister. She remembered James telling her she was his half sister, the bastard child of his father. She was thin—too thin, Lilly thought, looking at her wrists, and her gray eyes looked weary as they looked from James to Eden and then back to Lilly.

“Please call me Lilly, Emily, especially as we are family.” The girl nodded, yet remained silent, once again lowering her eyes to her plate.

Yielding to the pressure on her arm, Lilly fell into the chair Devon directed her to. “There is no need to use force, my lord. A simple, 'have a seat,' would have sufficed.”

“Of course it would, and that's why you were running out the front door like a scared rabbit,” he said, moving to the sideboard.

Lilly watched as he loaded two plates. He then returned, lowering one before her and placing the other in front of the seat to her left.

“Be a good girl, Lilly, and eat now. Talk later,” James said.

“Yes, do as your cousin says,” Devon added.

She was not usually rebellious, as it got her nowhere with her brother. But call it tiredness, or uncertainty. The last few days were obviously taking their toll on her sanity, as Lilly poked out her tongue—and instantly regretted it as Samantha clapped and giggled. Eden hooted with laughter and even Emily made a small snuffling sound.

“Lord save me from impertinent females.” James winked at his sisters as he spoke, and then grabbing his wife's chin, he kissed her loudly on the mouth.

Lilly's jaw dropped at the display of emotion. She had always believed James was like her, someone who kept their emotions firmly in check at all times.

“Eat, cousin.” James gave her a gentle smile of understanding.

“I visited Toby this morning, Lilly. He said he would teach me to use a slingshot.”

“Not until he is stronger, Samantha,” James said, which again surprised Lilly, as surely Toby was not fit company for the sister of a duke, not to mention that a slingshot was hardly ladylike.

“When will he be stronger, James?”

“When he is.”

“What sort of answer is that, husband?” Eden said.

“The only one she's getting until we are sure he is healed.”

“One more sleep, Samantha, and he should be fine,” Dev said.

Lilly felt his fingers brush hers as he reached for his cup, and hated her betraying shiver.

“You will not fire a slingshot inside these walls, Samantha. There will be a target set up out in the gardens for you. Furthermore, Buttles will not be used for practice.”

“Yes, James,” Samantha said, looking sincere. However, Lilly wasn't so sure; the child had a look in her eyes she had seen in the children she knew a time or two.

“It appears we are in time to partake of breakfast. Excellent, I am famished.”

Lilly watched Cambridge and Essex Sinclair walk into the room. Essex took the seat to Lilly's right, while Cambridge wandered to the sideboard to raise the lids and sniff. Now that Lilly knew about his nose she understood why, although he did look remarkably like a hound.

“I suppose he just had a full breakfast less than an hour ago,” Eden said, looking at her sister.

“Of course,” Essie said, pouring tea.

“Hollow legs,” Dev grunted.

“Another stunning dress, Emily. I shall sit here and bask in your beauty,” Cam said, taking the seat beside James's sister.

“If my dress does not meet your high standards, sir, it is of no concern to me. Furthermore, you should have a care not to poke out your eyes with those ridiculously high points should you turn too quickly.”