Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(8)

“Impressive though that reply was, you don't seriously expect me to believe it, do you?”

“Why, are you suggesting I am telling an untruth, my lord? Shame on you.” Lilly gasped, then clutched her bosom for effect.

He took her hands as they walked in a small circle.

“I am unsure if you are an excellent actress, and if so, why? Or you are genuinely....”

“Simpleminded? Oh I assure you I am. ’Tis a constant concern for my family.”

He laughed, a deep booming sound that drew far too many eyes. Lilly did not like being the center of attention.

“Now then,” he said when they returned to their previous position. “How about we try that again? Why were you in that lane at such an hour, chasing that man, with a handful of children with whom you were obviously familiar?”

“I-I—please forget the entire incident, Lord Sinclair.” Lilly gave up trying to concoct a more elaborate story. This man would not be fooled, or deterred, it seemed.

“I don't think that will be possible, Miss Braithwaite.”

“Why? My actions do not concern you.”

“And yet I was there, as were you. The woman I saw that night, for a brief moment, vastly differed from the one I believed I knew. My curiosity is roused.”

Oh no, no, no. This was not good at all. Lilly could not afford to have someone like Lord Sinclair poking his nose into her affairs. Her family had no idea what she did, and she liked it that way. Miss Braithwaite was important to no one. Therefore no one cared about her actions... until now.

“No, you were right in your earlier assessment of my character. I am extremely silly. Why, just yesterday I told Lord Howe that very thing, and he agreed with me.”

“And yet, that leads me no closer to what I want to know.”

“I am distressed by your line of questioning, Lord Sinclair.” Lilly forced herself to trill the words in her usual high-pitched tone. “I have no wish to further our acquaintance, or indeed dance with you again.”

She felt his eyes on her, and then he had left her side once more, and Lilly wanted to flee. Pick up her skirts and run as fast as she could, and not stop.

“Had you said those words to me last week, I would have believed them, Miss Braithwaite. Yet now, tonight, I am having trouble doing so. You see, the woman I watched kneel in that filthy London street to talk with children I suspect live their lives upon them, was not extremely silly. So you see my dilemma, Miss Braithwaite,” he said in a calm voice that made Lilly want to shriek at him. “You have become something of a conundrum to me.”

“I don't want to be your conundrum,” Lilly said quickly. “I am no one worth your time, and I wish for things to go back as they were. You ignoring me, and me ignoring you, Lord Sinclair.”

Please.

“I think not, but as you will not enlighten me, perhaps your family can.”

No, dear God, no.

“Do not question them!” Lilly looked to where her aunt stood. Dear Lord, she would lock Lilly's bedroom door and never let her leave if she knew what she got up to. Dear, sweet Aunt Vi. She would be horrified to realize her niece was out on that street with only a footman for protection.

“I will not, of course, if you do not wish it. However, I would like answers to my questions.”

“You will not get them.” Her voice was tight with worry, but she cared not. She must somehow dissuade this man from further questioning. If that did not work, then she would make sure to evade him. She could fake an illness—that would give her some time, then perhaps an injury to a leg....

“I shall look forward to conversing with you once more, Miss Braithwaite.”

Lilly did not speak again as the dance thankfully ended, and let him lead her back to where her aunt stood with her brother. The entire journey was spent trying to come up with a way to stall him from further questioning her. The only idea she could come up with as they reached her aunt was to run and hide until the evening was over.



Dev released Miss Braithwaite as they reached her aunt's side. He acknowledged Lady James and ignored Lord Braithwaite, her brother. The man had had a hand in attempting to sink Cam further into the depths of depravity when first the Sinclair family arrived in London, and Dev did not forget such things, especially when they involved people he loved.

“Lady James.” He bowed before the elderly woman.

“Lord Sinclair, how lovely to see you, and dancing with my darling niece.”

Dev studied the older woman. Her dress was in the latest style and the color a deep burgundy. Why then did she allow her niece to dress like a dowdy, color-blind field mouse?

“I believe the Duke and Duchess are from London at this time, Lord Sinclair.”

“Indeed they are, Lady James. My sister is at Raven Castle, but due to return shortly. My aunt and uncle are keeping them company.”

“How lovely.” Her smile was sweet. He knew the woman had many friends and was popular, also unlike her niece.

The puzzle that was Miss Braithwaite grew by the minute.

“If you will allow me the supper dance, Miss Braithwaite?”

“Oh no, my lord. It would not do to—”

“My niece will be delighted to dance with you again, Lord Sinclair.”

He bowed then, deciding that now was as good a time as any to leave, because Lady James may be happy he was singling her niece out, but her niece and nephew were not.