Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(74)

“Don't rightly know. Mr. Davey couldn't work that one out either. Oh, I almost forgot in all the goings-on, Miss Braithwaite, that a message was delivered for you first thing this morning.”

“Thank you,” Lilly said, taking the note the woman pulled from her apron. “Please go back to whatever you were doing, Mrs. Davey. I'll be along shortly.”

“Come in when you're finished, and I'll have a cup of tea ready to take off the chill.”

“Thank you.”

Lilly took out the note and opened it.

I had planned to send you on a long voyage to a certain Kurdish sheikh who will pay an extremely high price for you, as he has a lust for blonde English noblewomen, Miss Braithwaite. That can still be arranged, as can the fact that I can burn this house to the ground and hurt anyone you care about. Stop meddling in my business, or next time I will make you pay tenfold.

Shivering, Lilly wondered what she should do next. If something happened to Devon, or any of the others in her life now, she would never forgive herself.

“I thought we agreed you were not to rush headlong into danger without first notifying me.”

Pushing the note behind her back, she turned to face Devon. Lilly could tell he had left the house in haste. He was hatless, his hair standing on end, and the collar of his overcoat was tucked inside.

“I had to come; Toby said there was a fire. Nicholas and a footman are here,” Lilly rushed to say. “Mr. Davey is at present showing him the house.”

“And what of the danger to you?” he said, ignoring the fact that her brother was there. Taking off his coat, he moved to where she stood.

“I am quite warm,” Lilly said, retreating several steps.

“Your lips are blue, and if you wish to hide what is in your hand from me, then I will not force you to show it. However, I will search your things when you're not looking.”



The woman would see him in Bedlam, Dev thought as his heart settled back into his chest. He had been looking over some maps in James’s office, while the Duke took his wife driving around the park, when Emily and Samantha had burst into the room to inform them that Temple Street was on fire. He had run out of James's house and jumped into the carriage he’d just called to take him to the docks. He had then urged the driver to race at a reckless speed through London and its bustling traffic.

“You wouldn't be so underhand!” Lilly said in shocked tones, which made him laugh.

Something had frightened her. The fire definitely, but also whatever was in that note she had thrust behind her skirts.

“Of course I would. How do you think I kept track of my siblings, without being underhand,” he added, wrapping his coat around her shoulders and hauling her close so he could kiss her. All the starch instantly left her spine as she sank into him. Lord, she had the softest lips, Dev thought, an instantaneous tug of lust surging through his body.

“All right,” Lilly whispered against his mouth.

“All right?”

“All right, you can read my note,” Lilly said, pulling back and handing it to him. “But you must understand that I have no wish for you to start roaring or being even more protective. I am showing it to you because I want no secrets between us.”

“I understand,” Dev said, wondering what the hell it said. “When did you receive it?”

“Mrs. Davey gave it to me a few minutes ago,” she said, handing it to him.

Lifting an arm, he tucked her under it and opened the paper so they could read it together. He felt his blood run cold as he read the angry, slanted words.

“Inhale and exhale a few times before you say anything,” she urged him. It was sound advice. The hand she rubbed up and down his chest also helped... but only a little.

“Christ, Lilly.”

“I know, but as you saved me, I am not on a boat about to be delivered to a Kurdish sheikh.”

“You never will be.” Dev hugged her close. “I want you to leave London with me for a while, Lilly. Just until it is safe and this madman is caught.”

Her body stiffened against his. “I cannot leave now, Devon, you must know that.”

“To lose you would destroy me, love.”

“That's not fighting fair, Devon.”

“My feelings for you go beyond fair, Lilly, and I will not have you taken from me because you show a reckless disregard for your welfare. This,” he waved the note before her, “is very real, and words of a man who is dangerous and intent on achieving his goal no matter the cost. I cannot allow you to get anywhere near him again. Therefore, you must be protected, and to do that, I want you to leave London.”

Dev watched the frustration flicker across Lilly's face. She tried to pull away from him but he wouldn't let her. She had to learn that he was part of her life now, and she could no longer make decisions without forethought.

“You are to become my wife. Therefore your welfare is my main concern, and if I sound unreasonable for wanting to remove you from some madman intent on taking you from me, then so be it.”

“Of course I understand why you are speaking this way, but I cannot leave now. Not when the children need me. But if we stay in London, I will do as you say and will go nowhere without you knowing it. I promise.”

Dev looked down at her for the longest time and then smiled. “I almost believe you.”