Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(75)

“I would never lie to you!”

“Don't look offended, love. I know you would never deliberately lie to me; however, I think you are used to acting alone, as is evidenced by your actions today.”

Lilly huffed, then faced him, placing a hand on his chest.

“Please.”

He was used to his siblings bribing and manipulating him. This woman had a lot to learn if she was entering their family.

“Please, ah.... Please, Dev.”

“That was the most pathetic attempt at begging I have ever heard. My siblings would have laughed themselves sick had they heard. You need to speak to Dorrie; she begs better than anyone I've ever met.”

“Are you laughing at me?”

“Yes,” he said, unrepentant about the fact. Anger still smoldered inside him, but he could at least breathe easier knowing she was close.

Her expression slowly changed before his eyes. Her eyes softened as she wet her lips with her tongue. Dev braced himself as she lifted to her toes and reached for a handful of his hair, then tugged his head down for a kiss.

Innocent she may be, but Dev was soon on fire.

“Please, Devon,” she said in a breathy little voice that a courtesan would be proud of.

“All right,” Dev said, his voice harsh as he battled his body's response to Lilly's kiss. “But you have to promise to do as I say and if anything further happens, we leave London. Furthermore, I will not let you win every argument with such an obvious display, even if I enjoyed it.”

“I promise.”

“Again, I'm not totally convinced, and yet we will leave that for now.” Dev grabbed her hand and tugged her back in the direction of the kitchen door. “We have to tell Mr. and Mrs. Davey the truth, love, about everything so they will be ready if anything further happens.”

“They know some of it, but yes, you are right.”

Dev was surprised to see Nicholas Braithwaite seated at the small table in the kitchen, sipping tea from one of Mrs. Davey's teacups. He looked quite comfortable. The man was trying, he'd give him that.

“I tried to get Lord Braithwaite up to the front parlor, Miss Braithwaite, yet he would not budge,” Mrs. Davey said, looking quite happy with the fact.

“It is warmer in here, Mrs. Davey, and this apple tart is quite possibly the most delicious I have ever tasted.”

“Is it, Braithwaite? Well, then you had best leave enough for me,” Devon said, putting Lilly into one chair and taking the other.

Soon the small party, including Toby, who was still seated on the bench swinging his legs happily and munching yet another slice of bread, was all busy eating and drinking. Lilly brought Mr. and Mrs. Davey up-to-date with everything that had transpired.

“And I would completely understand if you wish to leave London for a time because of this,” Lilly said when she had finished her tale.

“Oh no, miss, we'll be staying put and caring for the children when they need us, and of course there's our Toby,” Mrs. Davey said, giving the boy a smile that he acknowledged with a small one of his own.

“If you will allow it, Mr. Davey, I will have someone watch over the house for a time. He'll be discreet so as not to upset any of the children, but it will ease Miss Braithwaite's mind,” Dev said.

They were proud people, the Davey's, and he knew they prided themselves on caring for the boys and themselves without any fuss or help. Because of this, he had made the offer sound like it was to ease Lilly's mind and hoped that would make a difference.

“I should be relieved if you would take up Lord Sinclair's offer,” Lilly added her voice to Dev's.

“If it will make Miss Braithwaite happy, then we shall allow it,” Mr. Davey said.

“Excellent.” Dev gave Lilly a wink.

They left the house a short while later, and Dev tried not to think about the letter he now had tucked in his top pocket. He would have to talk to his family and James about it later. Maybe even Nicholas, but for now he said good-bye to Lilly's brother, watching as he strode off down the street, having decided to walk to the business he said he had to attend to.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR


“Take us around the park and keep to the quieter areas until I tell you otherwise,” Dev said to the driver before he climbed into the carriage and shut the door firmly behind him.

“Why are we driving around the park?” Lilly watched him settle into the seat across from her.

“Because I want a few minutes alone with the woman I love without interruption.” Dev took her hand in his and then proceeded to remove her gloves. “I want to drive through the park with you and have no one ask me questions,” he added, tugging her onto the seat beside him.

“But what if I want to ask you a question?”

“As long as it is not overly taxing, I shall answer it,” he said, taking her other hand and removing that glove too.

“Dev, someone shall see us!” Lilly gasped as he kissed each of the fingers he had exposed.

Standing, he wrenched the curtains closed and then reseated himself. She had kissed him at Temple Street and that brief taste had stayed with him as he drank tea and politely answered questions. He had watched her nibble on a scone and remembered the feel of those lush lips on him. The visions he had tried to push from his head of their lovemaking had risen, and now he wanted her with a need that overrode everything else. He would have her or go mad.