Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(71)

“It seems both you and your sister have a dislike for taking orders,” he added, which made Lilly smile.

“I can't imagine it is something you respond to either, Sinclair,” Nicholas said.

Devon nodded, his smile rueful, and at that moment, if possible, her love for him increased. He was angry with Nicholas and had told her it would take time to forgive him for his treatment of her, but he would not show that grudge outwardly.

“In that you are correct, Braithwaite.”

“Obey your brother, minx.”

Lilly lifted her face for another kiss, then they left the house.

It was crisp and clear as the small party walked to the park. Emily and Samantha chatted, and Mr. Whiskers went from side to side on his long lead, sniffing everything he could get his nose near. Lilly thought about Cam, imagining him doing the same.

“Danderfield visited me again last night. He blustered and threatened, but there is nothing he can do, as I signed no documents. It was merely my word that I gave, and we both know that was worth nothing then.”

“I'm sorry, Nicholas, and yet very glad I am not to wed such a man.”

He patted her hand where it rested on his sleeve. “It was to be expected. He is not a man who likes being thwarted, but there is little he can do. I have come to realize after doing a bit of investigating that he has a smoky past and is linked to several underhand dealings, and once again I must beg your forgiveness for wanting to see you married to him.”

Lilly waved his words away. “No more apologies, that is in the past. However, I would like to know why are you investigating him?”

He threw her a look, and she could read nothing in his expression.

“Because I cannot rule out that he will create further trouble for you. Plus, I am looking into many people after what happened to you. I want to help Sinclair and Raven, to find out what is going on. Also, there is the matter of those missing children that needs to be sorted.”

“I don't know what to say.” Lilly looked to where Samantha skipped before them, swinging Emily's hand.

“Did you think I would simply sit back and let James and Sinclair deal with this? You are my sister, Lilliana. I love you, and I may not have always shown you that, but now I want to protect you and support you in what you care for. Those children mean a great deal to you, therefore we need to find out what is happening.”

She felt ridiculously close to tears. She had received too many shocks to this point, but this one seemed to have tipped her over the edge, as she started to sniff.

“I have also told James that when the time comes I too shall acknowledge Emily as my family,” Nicholas said, his eyes on the straight back of their cousin.

Now that, Lilly hadn't expected. Looking up at her brother, she wondered how it was possible that a man could change so much in such a short space of time.

“Emily is not keen on stepping into society, yet James is eager to see that she does. Of course he has already acknowledged she is his sister openly, but as yet she has not met anyone who would challenge her.”

“It won't be easy for her, that much is true. However, with our support and that of the Sinclairs and Lord and Lady Wynburg, I think in time she will be accepted.”

“We go to the quieter part of the park, where Emily feels comfortable,” Samantha said, looking at Nicholas.

“Lead the way then, Samantha, and your cousins shall follow,” Nicholas said, producing a gentle smile for the girl.

“You really have changed, haven't you, Nicholas?” Lilly's words were quiet, but he heard them.

“Yes.”

Nothing further was said, but it was enough for now that she had acknowledged what he was trying to do.

They found a pond with ducks that Mr. Whiskers wanted to jump in and play with. Nicholas took his lead, as the little dog was quite insistent.

“Buttles has given us some bread and James told me that as I cannot yet swim, I am not to follow the bread into the water,” Samantha said, taking a small bundle from one of the footmen.

“That child could murder someone and that smile would get her off,” Nicholas muttered as he watched the footman blush as the little girl beamed up at him.

“Yes, she is a delight.” Lilly laughed.

“It's strange how we have inherited two cousins. Yet I like it, and also this closeness we have with James, even though he is usually lecturing me.”

“Yes,” Lilly agreed. “Strange and yet comfortable.”

They went to the water’s edge and proceeded to throw the bread for the ducks, who swam around in circles quacking loudly in gratitude. Nicholas and Samantha soon found a small island which they were convinced they could reach with their pieces of stale bread, and a competition immediately arose.

“Excellent shot, Nicholas!” Samantha squealed as a plume of water indicated the force with which he had hurled his piece of stale bread, even though it fell short of its mark.

“Are you patronizing me, Samantha Raven?”

“I am too young to understand that word!” Samantha cried, hurling her piece with enough force that she had to lunge to the side to stop herself following it into the water.

Nicholas's laugh made Lilly smile. It was unrestrained and a thing of joy, and she could not remember a time when she had heard it before.

“Good shot, Samantha!”