Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(70)

“Come on, Lilly, this will be our last run or someone will see us,” Samantha wheezed as she once again reached the top of the stairs.

“You have to lift your skirts and straddle it,” Emily directed.

“Emily was scared the first time, weren't you, Em?”

“Indeed I was.”

“I am not scared, precisely,” Lilly said, eying the gleaming banister. “It is just not something I have contemplated doing.”

“Buttles has it polished with his special mixture, which makes you fly down.”

Samantha gave her a wide smile once again, and Lilly felt herself weakening. She would have to be very careful around this child; she obviously had the ability to manipulate a person into doing any number of things.

“It’s fun, Lilly, and Em and I didn't have much fun until James came into our lives.”

“I didn't have much fun in my household either,” Lilly surprised herself by saying.

“Well then,” Emily said, gently taking her hand. “Let's have some fun.”

Nodding, Lilly followed the directions they gave her and swung her leg over the shiny wood. Her stomach did a small flip as she straddled the railing, and then she let go. Nearing the bottom, she heard an outraged shout. She flew through the air, then landed in a pair of strong arms.

“Oomph!”

She heard Devon grunt as he staggered backward several steps.

“What the bloody hell are you doing, woman!”

“Devon, don't swear in front of Samantha,” Lilly scolded him as she slapped down her skirts and righted her bonnet. “Put me down, please.”

He did, but kept an arm around her waist.

“You could have hurt yourself. What were you thinking, to behave in such a reckless manner?”

He was growling at her now. Brows lowered, he was attempting to intimidate her; however, she was onto him. He was all bluster around those he cared for.

“Don't be cross, Dev,” a little voice said below him. “Emily and I were teaching Lilly how to have fun.”

“I fear my heart will never recover,” he muttered before releasing Lilly to look down at the little girl.

“We never hurt ourselves, Dev.”

“You do this often, Samantha?”

She nodded.

“Well, well, well, Miss Emily, it seems you have been hiding your mischievous streak under that prim exterior. Who would have thought—”

“I will thank you to keep the rest of your comments firmly in your mouth, Cambridge Sinclair.”

“Are you telling me that you have never slid down a shiny banister, Lord Sinclair?” Lilly said, ignoring Emily and Cam as they continued bickering.

“Of course I have. I was not, however, an adult.”

“Not entirely true, brother. You and the children slid down our uncle's banister when we first arrived in London.”

“Shut up, Cam,” Dev snapped.

“You're not going to tell James, are you, Dev?”

Samantha was now tugging on Devon's jacket.

“Of course not, Samantha. I was just concerned for you, darling. You know what we older brothers are like.”

Dev followed his words by kissing the little girl on the top of her head.

“You however, madam,” he then said, lifting Lilly's chin, “should know better.” Closing the distance between them, he kissed her softly.

“I enjoyed sliding down James's banister. In fact, I think we should do it again soon, Samantha,” Lilly added, giving him a cheeky smile.

“Why is there a gathering in my entranceway?”

“The lord and master has returned,” Cam drawled as James walked in through his front door.

“We were just going to take Mr. Whiskers for a walk, James,” Samantha said, shooting Dev a pleading look that suggested her brother had no idea what she got up to when he was not there.

“And who is walking with you?”

“Two footmen and a maid, and Lilly!” Samantha said loudly.

“Make that four footmen, and I may allow it,” Devon said before James could speak.

“We would look ridiculous with four footmen trailing after us, Devon. Be reasonable,” Lilly said. “Furthermore, it is not up to you to allow me to do anything. I am an adult and have been making my own decisions for years—”

“And I'm your future husband who recently rescued you from someone intent on harming you.”

“With a protective streak two ax handles wide,” Cam added.

“Much as I hate agreeing with Sinclair, cousin, I'm afraid in this he is correct. You will not leave this house without an assurance people are watching over you and my sisters.”

“Why is everyone standing in the entranceway?” Nicholas questioned, walking through the still-open door.

Lilly seized him by the arm—much to his surprise, as they were still wary around each other.

“Nicholas shall accompany us if that is all right with you, Lord Sinclair?”

Devon's eyes narrowed at her use of his title. Lilly was deliberately baiting him.

“You shall not leave her side, Braithwaite, until you return to this house,” he said, glaring from one sibling to the other.

“I shall let nothing happen to my sister, Sinclair, and I will thank you to remember that before you start issuing orders.”