Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(69)

Samantha was dressed in pink with ruffles and frills where young girls should have ruffles and frills, and with a matching band in her hair. Lilly marveled at the resilience the child showed. Like James, Samantha had been raised by a tyrant, and yet showed no signs of it.

“Emily and I are about to go to the park. We are taking Mr. Whiskers for a walk, and wondered if you would like to come?”

“Mr. Whiskers?”

“My dog,” the girl said, smiling, which showed her little white teeth. “He spends most of his time with me, so you have probably not met him yet. James does not like him to run everywhere because he still chews and does naughty things, so I only let him loose when he's out.” The last was said with a cheeky smile which Lilly felt herself responding to. “We call him Whisky most of the time, which James says suits him as he forces him to drink when he has chewed another of his neckties.”

Two weeks had passed since Lilly had returned to her house after the abduction, and every day when she woke, it was to find her brother had indeed changed. He now shared his meals with her and Aunt Vi, and a great deal of his time. The household was happier, and for that Lilly could not fault him. He had also allowed James to help him with his debts, but had said he would be repaying every cent.

For the first time in many years, Lilly was happy, and it was a wonderful feeling.

“James said a notice appeared in the papers announcing your betrothal to Devon yesterday, Lilly. Dorrie and Somer are excited that they get to be bridesmaids again.”

“Yes, I believe they want pink dresses.”

“I enjoyed being James's bridesmaid and everyone said that three little girls looked better than two.”

“Did they now?” Lilly was not fooled by the winsome expression on Samantha's face.”

“Yes, and we were so very well-behaved, unlike Warwick.”

“What did Warwick do?”

Placing both hands on her hips, the girl narrowed her eyes, making her look like a ferocious pixie. “He tied the laces of my pretty blue boots together so I fell on my face in front of all the guests.”

Lilly pressed her lips together to stop from laughing. “What did you do to him?” she asked, knowing there would have been retribution.

“Dorrie kept him talking while I sprinkled some of Essie's herbs that Somer got me on his meal. He had a troubled tummy for two days after.”

“Oooh, you're clever,” Lilly said in awe.

“What color are they going to wear?”

“Who?” Lilly blinked at the change in conversation.

“Your bridesmaids.”

“I believe I have already mentioned they will be in pink.”

“That's my favorite color.”

Lilly laughed. “Would you do me the honor, Lady Samantha, of becoming one of my bridesmaids?”

“Yes!” Samantha squealed, throwing herself at Lilly. “Will you come for a walk with me and Emily now, while Eden tends the sick person?”

“If you wish for me to accompany you, then yes, I should love to go walking with you both.”

“We shall meet you in the entranceway in five minutes.”

Samantha then left as quickly as she had arrived, so Lilly drank her tea, and then found her bonnet and gloves. After slipping them on, she went to find the girls.

“Is anyone down there, Lilly?”

“Pardon?” Lilly looked to the top of the stairs, where Samantha peeked over the banister. Emily stood behind her, carrying a small, white scruffy dog with lopsided ears and a spectacular set of whiskers.

“Is anyone waiting in the entranceway, Lilly?”

“Ah, no, not that I can see.” Lilly looked around.

“Quick, Emily, there is no one about!”

“Samantha, we will be caught one day, and I'm not sure we should. Imagine if we fall the other way. It is a very long drop,” Emily said, looking anxious.

“Emily, we go through this every time we do it, and after the first attempt it is you who wants to do it again.”

Lilly made her way up the stairs, wondering what was going on. When she arrived, Mr. Whiskers’s lead was handed to her by an anxious-faced Emily.

“If you could hold him please, Lilly.”

She then watched as Emily and Samantha climbed onto the railing.

“Good Lord!” Fascinated, she watched as the very proper and shy Emily flew down the banister behind her sister, both making gleeful noises as they went. Lilly held her breath as they reached the bottom and flew off the end to land nimbly on their feet. Giggling, they both picked up their skirts and ran back up the stairs.

“Just drop his lead, Lilly, and he will follow us down if you wish to try also,” Samantha panted as she reached the top.

“Yes, do try, Lilly, it is so much fun,” Emily said, her smile transforming her face.

“Oh, I.... No, I don't think—” Before she had finished the sentence they were off again, flying down to the bottom once more. At her feet the dog was watching the progress with his button eyes, trying to work out what was happening.

“I have not done such a thing since my childhood, Mr. Whiskers, and even then I am not entirely sure I did something like this. Do you think I should try?”

Hearing his name, the scruffy dog looked up at Lilly and yipped, which seemed to be confirmation enough.