Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(72)

Sending his sister a ferocious scowl, which she ignored, Nicholas picked up another piece of bread.

“Well, well, well, what a lovely scene. Miss Braithwaite, Lord Braithwaite.”

Lilly shot Emily a look as the Duchess of Abernathy walked toward them. The woman was a notorious gossip, and Emily was not yet ready to face society and most especially not this venomous harpy.

“Duchess,” Nicholas said, dropping his bread and stepping forward to take her hand. “May I say how beautiful you look this morning.”

Swallowing a snort, Lilly watched the Duchess preen under Nicholas's compliments.

“La, Miss Braithwaite, I see quite a change in you. No longer wearing glasses, and finding a modiste who makes clothes that actually fit you, in colors more befitting your age.”

Lilly gritted her teeth. Of course she had known that changing her appearance would draw attention, but she had no wish to be the topic of discussion for this woman. She said nothing, simply nodded, as she had no wish for the Duchess to linger. The sooner she left, the sooner Emily would feel comfortable once again.

“And now, my lord, you must tell me who this beautiful child is? Her governess I obviously have no need of meeting,” the Duchess said, dismissing Emily.

“This is Lady Samantha and Miss Tolly,” Nicholas acknowledged Emily. “They are the Duke of Raven’s sisters, Duchess,” Nicholas said.

“Ah yes, the little bastard daughter.”

Bitch, Lilly thought looking at Emily. She was now standing beside Samantha, her face composed. No one looking at her would realize the turmoil she was no doubt experiencing from the Duchess’s cutting words.

Samantha opened her mouth to protest, but one look from Lilly stopped her. Intelligent child that she was, she knew not to create a scene that would embarrass her sister any further. Executing the perfect curtsey, the child then took Mr. Whiskers from the groom who now held him, and with a sweet smile on her face, she dropped his lead. Excited to be introduced to someone he did not already know, the dog immediately jumped up and put both his dirty paws on the Duchess's skirts.

“Oh, you beastly animal!”

“It's because he likes you,” Samantha said, her features schooled into an innocent look.

“Well, I don't like him! And I will thank you not to laugh,” she added, glaring at Lilly. “You would do well to study your brother's manners, Miss Braithwaite. It seems yours are sadly lacking!”

“I would thank you not to speak to my sister that way ever again, Duchess.”

Nicholas said the words quietly, and Lilly felt ridiculously happy that he had championed her.

“I am a Duchess, I can speak as I like,” the woman snapped.

“Not to my sister, you cannot. Nor to either of these two,” he added acknowledging James’s sisters.

“Well!” Giving them a final glare, she stalked away.

“Shrew!” Lilly hissed. “Thank you for acknowledging Emily and for what you said, Nicholas. I hate that woman more every time I see her.”

“Yes, she is a loathsome witch.”

“I heard a rumor once, that you and she….” Lilly waved her hand about.

“I beg your pardon!”

“You and that woman,” Lilly said, poking her brother hard in the chest.

“I hardly think this is something we should be discussing in such a public setting, if at all,” Nicholas looked uncomfortable.

“I mean it, Nicholas, I shall do something nasty to you if I hear your name is ever linked with hers.” Lilly glared at her brother, who in turn was looking at her like she had sprouted horns.

“Such vehemence, sister. I could almost believe you care for me.”

Brother and sister looked at each other for several seconds, and then Lilly said quietly, “I do.”

Leaning forward, Nicholas placed a kiss on his sister's forehead.

“Then I shall never so much as dance with that woman again.”

“Oh look, Lilly, here comes Toby running toward us!”

Lilly turned to follow Samantha's finger and saw Toby running to where they stood.

“Something is wrong,” Lilly said to Nicholas. “He would never willingly seek me out in public.”

“This is the boy, Toby, who was hurt? The one from Temple Street?”

Lilly nodded, and then moved to intercept Toby.

“What has happened?” she said as soon as he was close enough to hear her words.

“There has been a fire, Lilly, at Temple Street.”





CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE


“Go back to the house, Nicholas. Take Emily and Samantha with you, and tell Devon I have gone to Temple Street as there is a fire there!” Lilly said, picking up her skirts in preparation to follow Toby.

“You are not running off without protection, Lilly. I forbid it, and your future husband will murder me if I allow it.” He grabbed her wrist. “You there,” Nicholas addressed the three footmen who were trying to appear inconspicuous. “Take Lady Samantha and Miss Emily back to the residence. Emily, tell Lord Sinclair and your brother what has happened, and I shall take a footman and my sister to Temple Street.”

Nicholas grabbed her hand, and they were soon running behind Toby back the way he had just come.

“Hurry and call a hackney, Toby. It will get us there faster,” Lilly panted. She watched him sprint ahead of her and out of the park gates.