Seeing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #2)(86)

Dev did not even want to contemplate Lilly in the hands of a man capable of what Danderfield had done.

“I will leave at once and ride for London. Once there, I will organize transportation for the children,” James said, coming to stand beside Dev. “And I have heard what this rodent has to say, and I think we need to work out a plan on how we are going to get that bastard Danderfield, because surely it is he we want.”

“Agreed,” Dev said.

James kissed Eden, and then left, while Dev and Cam returned to questioning Finnegan.

“Dominus never comes here; the house is locked up tight with only a few servants going in to clean it once a week,” Finnegan said, eager to help now he had been caught.

“Tie him to the chair, Cam, while we search the area and make sure those other men are secured.”

“With pleasure, brother.”

Once a search had been completed and no paperwork or evidence found, everyone made their way back down the lane to the Danderfield house, where one of the children broke in with disturbing ease.

“You will not lift anything,” Dev heard Lilly say to the boy as he trailed behind them through the house.

“It's just a little thing,” he said, taking a small silver box from his pocket and handing it to her. “He did kidnap me after all, Lilly.”

“No, Joe, I will not have you thieving in my presence.”

In a drawer in Lord Danderfield's desk, they found what they were looking for.

“There's three of them involved, but Danderfield is the leader,” Cam said, reading a letter. “Lord Richard and Mr. Appleton. There is correspondence here that states everything, right down to Lilly's involvement in stopping that boy being taken the night you found her, Dev.”

“And to think my brother wished to wed me to such a man.” Lilly shuddered beside Dev. He wrapped and arm around her and hugged her close.

Essie and Eden raided the kitchen and found a few supplies that they could throw together for everyone to eat, and then the carriages started to arrive. Children were divided and seated inside, with Mr. Finnegan put up beside one of James's burliest drivers.

Dev mounted the horse they had ridden on and lifted Lilly onto his lap once more. “I want to hold you” was all he said as he and the others fell in beside the slow-moving carriages. She yawned and settled back into his arms with a tired smile upon her face.

“I can think of nowhere else I would rather be.”



“Danderfield is about to flee, my lord.”

“Are you certain, Mr. Brown?” Dev said, looking at the Bow Street Runner five days later as he entered James's office.

“Yes. My man has been watching his place for any sign of him. This morning, just before the sun rose, he slipped inside. My man then slipped a few coins to footman who left the house a short time later, and he said Danderfield is fleeing for France tonight.”

Dev walked around James's study as he thought about what Mr. Brown had said.

“He has heard about the arrests of Lord Richard and Mr. Appleton,” Dev said, “and is making haste to flee before we grab him.”

James nodded from behind his desk. “We shall have to move quickly.”

They had gathered as much information as they could about Lord Danderfield and what he had been doing. Lord Richard and Mr. Appleton had been more than willing to throw their partner in crime to the wolves when questioned; now all they needed to do was arrest the man so once again everyone would be safe, Dev thought.

“We shall go to the magistrate at once and tell him what we have, and then he can come with us to Danderfield's,” James said.

“We want to come also.”

Dev turned to find Eden, Essie, and Lilly had slipped into the room.

“I suppose you told them word for word what we were discussing?”

Eden merely smiled sweetly back at Dev.

“She has more right than any to be there when you arrest Danderfield, Dev.”

“However, we insist you three stay in the carriage when the arrest is being made, as I do not want to risk one of you getting in the way.”

“Thank you, James,” Lilly said solemnly.

“Thank you, James,” Dev mimicked, scowling at his fiancée, who in turn poked out her tongue.

“Shrew!”

“And Essie and I will keep her company,” Eden said. “You will need another set of ears,” she added.

James wasn't happy about that, yet could do little about it as he had said Lilly could go. “Fine, however, you will do exactly as I say.”

“Of course,” both Essie and Eden, said convincing no one.



Lilly and Devon's sisters watched from the safety of the carriage as Cam, Dev, and James, followed by the magistrate and Mr. Brown, went to Lord Danderfield's front door. It was early evening and the sun was sinking fast. They had thought this the best time as the streets would not be too busy.

Holding her breath, Lilly watched the magistrate’s hand as it lifted the brass knocker and banged it hard three times. Looking up at the white fa?ade, she noted a second-story window behind which was a faint light. The curtain twitched and then stilled. Lowering the carriage window quietly, she listened.

“Open the door at once. This is the magistrate!”

Still the door remained closed.