by Wendy Vella
“Cambridge and Essex,” Sinclair said, pointing to the man and woman as they reached the bed. James sensed some tension between these two. “I am Devonshire, or rather Devon, and the three youngest Sinclairs are at present sleeping,” he added.
“There are seven of you?” James said, bemused as his eyes moved over the siblings.
“Yes.” Devon sighed.
“You're each named after a town or county?” James studied each Sinclair. He noted they all had black hair. However, Eden was the only one with gray eyes. The others shared the eldest Sinclair's green eyes.
“Yes, my parents liked to travel and wherever we were... um, conceived... we were named after that place.”
James noted Devon wince as Cambridge spoke. “So where did Eden come from?” he questioned, looking at her.
“Eden was the only one of us conceived here at Oak's Knoll, Duke,” Essex said. “My mother always called her home the Garden of Eden, hence my sister's name.”
“The duke wishes to return home tonight,” Eden said, no longer smiling. The conversation was obviously uncomfortable for her.
“I would not recommend that course of action, considering someone has just tried to
dispatch you to the afterlife, Duke,” Cambridge Sinclair said. “Your strength will be weakened by tonight's events. I suggest you stay here for a few days. Whoever tried to end your life believes they succeeded, so we do not want to alert them otherwise.”
“And yet my sister will wake at 7:00 a.m. and I will be there,” James said, his voice steady.
“’Tis folly, Duke. You are still injured and in such a weakened state you cannot hope to defend yourself,” Eden added.
“I do not believe whoever attempted to kill me this evening will do so again the following day, Eden. And please call me James.” For some reason, he wanted to hear his name on her lips.
“But—”
“Leave it, Eden, the duke must be allowed to do as he pleases,” Devon said. “However, if I may suggest that you leave early before the sun rises, then no one will see you. I would also ask you to stay out of danger until our return, Raven. There will not be a Sinclair on hand should you require one.”
“You are leaving?” James said, ignoring the attempt at humor. His gaze lingered on Eden. There was something about the woman that drew his eyes, and he felt it was more than just her beauty.
“We are going to London for the season, Duke,” Essex said.
By the downcast looks on the faces of the siblings, James guessed this was not something any of them were looking forward to.
“Is there a problem with my name?”
“Problem, Duke?” Cambridge Sinclair said.
“I have asked you to use it, yet you are not.” Silence greeted these words as the siblings looked at each other then back to him.
Devon was silently allocated speaker. “My mother told us your father was most insistent that he be addressed only by his title.”
James battled anger at the reference to his sire. “I am not my father.”
“But you are a duke, and a powerful one,” Essex said.
“That has no bearing on you using my name.” James wasn't sure why he was pursuing this matter when normally he liked the distance his title afforded him.
“It has when the closest we have come to such a lofty title is Dev.” The siblings laughed over Essex Sinclair's words.
“Where will you reside in London?” James asked, wondering why he cared.
“Our mother's sister is the Countess of Wynburg, James,” Cambridge Sinclair said. “She wishes to sponsor Essex and Eden this season, but has expressed her wish that we all come to London to see her.”
James may not have spent much time at Raven Castle, but he had made it his business, since returning, to find out everything he could about the people and events that took place around his estate. His butler, who had been with the family since he was born, was a font of information.
He knew the Sinclairs lived in genteel poverty, and that the previous Baron Sinclair was not a well-liked man in the village. James was unsure how their circumstances now sat; he doubted the current Lord Sinclair was a spendthrift, yet did not know him well enough to know if that was fact.
“I'd like to offer you some compensation for your part in saving my life—twice,” James said, although the words stuck in his throat. He didn't care if this... whatever the arrangement between their families was called, was indeed true, he would not be beholden to anyone. Therefore, he would do what needed to be done in his eyes to clear this debt.
“We do not need your money,” Cambridge said.
“I would be honored to offer you my coach for the journey then—”
“Thank you for the offer, Raven, it is most generous, yet we are quite capable of getting ourselves to London,” Devonshire Sinclair cut him off.
Pride was something James understood as he had his share; the eldest Sinclair, he noted, appeared no different.
“I too am making for London, Sinclair, and wished only for some company for my young sister, as I will be riding,” James said, surprised that the words had come from his mouth. He had not intended to leave for London until next month and had definitely not planned to take Samantha with him. However, perhaps after tonight's events he and Samantha would be safer away from here.
“Oh that will be lovely for the twins, don't you think, Dev?” Eden rushed to say.
They were interesting to watch, these Sinclairs, the undertones and glances they gave each other. Almost as if they spoke another language, James thought as the eldest Sinclair glared at Eden.
“Twins?”
“Dorset and Somerset, our sisters, James,” Essex Sinclair said.
James suddenly wanted his sister to be in the company of the Sinclairs as they journeyed to London. She was such a shy little girl, who rarely met anyone her own age, and with the Sinclairs she would be safe. They would make sure of it.
Sensing Danger out now!
OTHER BOOKS BY WENDY VELLA
Historical Romances
Regency Rakes Series
Duchess By Chance
Rescued By A Viscount
Tempting Miss Allender
The Langley Sisters Series
Lady In Disguise
Lady In Demand
Lady In Distress
The Lady Plays Her Ace
The Lady Seals Her Fate
The Raven & Sinclair Series
Sensing Danger
Seeing Danger
The Lords Of Night Street Series
Lord Gallant
Lord Valiant
Lord Valorous
Stand-Alone Titles
The Reluctant Countess
Christmas Wishes
Contemporary Romances
The Lake Howling Series
A Promise Of Home
The Texan Meets His Match
How Sweet It Is
It Only Took You
Don’t Look Back