Touched By Danger (A Sinclair & Raven Novel Book 3)

by Wendy Vella

  Both girls’ faces were serious, and Max found them both utterly charming.

  “How wonderful, a picnic with your friends on such a lovely day,” Max said.

  “Emily and Samantha are the duke’s sisters, and he is married to our sister,” Dorrie said, in that way children had of explaining things. They were very thorough, and if you interrupted they just went back and started again.

  Max had not known the Duke of Raven had sisters, but then why would he? He had conversed with the man only briefly, and not on a personal level.

  “He should be the size of Mrs. Tiffen by now with the amount of food he eats. It is quite disgusting, Max.”

  “Mrs. Tiffen being?” Max questioned, as he tried to hold back the laughter.

  “She is a friend of our aunt’s, and when she comes to tea, we have to get to the cake first or she will eat it all,” Dorrie said.

  “Yes, and she pinches our cheeks.” Somer sighed. “But as she is too large to move from her chair once seated, we have worked out that if we stay several feet away, she cannot reach us.”

  “Warwick is the same. Dev, our brother, says he has hollow limbs where he stores all the food.” Dorrie picked up the conversational reins.

  “He is a growing lad.” Max felt duty bound to defended his fellow man... or boy, in this case.

  “Our aunt says that. But we are growing too,” Dorrie said. “Just not at the same rate. Warwick has large feet.”

  “Does he? Well then, he will likely be a large man.”

  “My brothers are big, but do you know what, Max?”

  “What, Somer?”

  “They are soft inside, my aunt says. Because they spoil us terribly.”

  Max felt an uncomfortable tug of longing to have just once experienced this feeling of family. Looking into the earnest green eyes of these little girls, he wondered what it would be like to have a child of his own. Someone who relied on him for their support and survival.

  Dear Christ, what am I thinking?

  “We’re very intelligent,” Somer said, looking at Max. Her eyes weren’t sly, she was just stating what she believed to be a fact. “Ask us a question, and we’ll answer it.”

  “Surely you don’t know everything?”

  “Most things,” Dorrie answered.

  Two little faces looked up at him expectantly.

  “Plus we speak several languages, but if you do not, that’s all right,” Somerset said, and Max wasn’t entirely sure, but felt he’d just been classified as a simpleton.

  “Somer, Dorrie!”

  Another small girl was now hurtling toward them. This one had hair the color of wheat, and as she drew near he saw twinkling blue eyes.

  “This is Samantha, Max. She is the duke’s sister.”

  “Lady Samantha.” Max rose and bowed.

  “Oh, she’s just Samantha, and this is Max.”

  The blue eyes looked up at him, assessing, enquiring as the twins had been.

  “Hello. You have the same hair and eyes as a lion.”

  “Do I?”

  The girls conferred silently, and then nodded.

  “You’re also very large.”

  “Well, I promise I neither growl nor bite. Especially not pretty little girls, and especially not on such a lovely day.”

  “We’re very bright,” Samantha said.

  “I just told him that,” Dorrie added.

  “Well then.” Somer looked at Max expectantly, which he guessed was his cue.

  “Spell able,” he said in French, sure they would not know the language and were just boasting about speaking several. To his surprise they all made pffft noises, and in unison spelled the word with ease in French.

  He went for quartet next, in Italian, because he was absolutely sure that these sweet-faced little girls could not know the language. Again they recited it letter perfect.

  “You are not really trying, Max,” Somer said. She was now sitting on the grass, small legs out in front of her, while her sister was at her back, braiding her curls. Samantha was plucking grass and building a pile in her skirts. A charming mix of youth and age, the girls were comfortable with him, much to his surprise. But then children, he’d realized early in his life, were not jaded by experience if they had people watching over them to ensure no darkness touched them.

  He wasn’t entirely sure how long he stood there leaning on that fence quizzing them, but he had to extend himself, and was thankful for the tutors he had employed when he realized that to go forward in the world, he needed knowledge.

  He laughed when they were funny and crowed to him about their prowess, and did the same when he won. He watched a woman appear behind the girls. She hesitated, and then started toward them with a young boy at her side. She was slender with fair hair, and the eyes looked familiar. This was the duke’s other sister.

  “Emily, this is Max, Mr. Huntington!” Somer shrieked, leaping to her feet for no other reason that Max could see, than she could.

  “Good day.” Max bowed.

  “Good day.” She gave him a gentle smile. “Now we must return, as Warwick is getting hungry awaiting you.”

  “Forgive me, I did not mean to occupy them, but we have been quizzing each other.”

  Emily smiled again. “They have quite a ferocious intellect, Mr. Huntington.”

  “That they do, but I think I managed to acquit myself adequately.”

  “We cannot eat until you come back, so hurry!” The youngest male Sinclair was glaring at the three young girls. He had knobbly knees, and his black hair was flopping over his eyes, but Max saw his siblings in him. One day he would be the size of his brothers.

  “Don’t be rude, Warwickshire. We are speaking with Max,” Somer scolded.

  “Good day to you.” Max nodded to the boy.

  The boy moved closer and looked at him. “You’ve just moved into our street. I heard you talking the other night.”

  “Yes, I have.” Max wondered where the boy had been to hear him talking. “And now I must bid you all goodbye, as I have an appointment.”

  “Goodbye, Max!” the little girls cried. Warwick grunted something, took his sisters’ arms, and dragged them back to the maid.

  “Good day, Mr. Huntington.”

  “Good day, Lady Emily.” He vaulted back over the fence.

  The smile fell from her lips. “I am not Lady Emily. My name is Miss Tolly.”

  “Forgive me,” Max said, but she had already turned and walked away, leaving him feeling like he’d hurt her in some way. It was not a comfortable feeling, which was odd, considering he did not even know the woman, and if she was the duke’s sister why was she Miss Tolly?

  Max shook his head, pushing the incident aside. He had enjoyed the brief interlude with the children, but now he had work to do. Looking up the road, he saw his house, and then his eyes went to the duke’s, and further down the street to where Essie was staying. He was a fool for doing this, moving in here where he could see her.

  He’d almost reached the end of the park when he heard the piercing shriek. It had not been one of pleasure or excitement, but fear. He didn’t hesitate, but leaped back over the fence and ran into the park as fast as his legs would carry him.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Essie lifted her face to the sun, enjoying the warmth on her cheeks. Her aunt was not here to scold her, just Grace.

  “You will get freckles if you keep that up.”

  “It feels lovely, Grace.”

  “I’m sure it does. However, it is not good for your complexion, Miss Sinclair.”

  Sighing, Essie lowered her face and continued walking. She had just passed Eden and James’s house, and was going to the park to see the children. She knew Max now lived on this street, as he had told Cam he was moving there. But as yet she had not seen him, nor did she plan to. She had been sending one of her brother’s footmen to check if Max was in his warehouse or the boys’ home before she paid calls. Thus far she had avoided him, and hoped to continue to do so.
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br />   Every day she prayed that whoever wanted him dead failed. Hoped that they had been caught. Thus far he was safe. She knew, because Tiny had told her he visited every day to check on his recovery.

  “Something is wrong,” Essie said suddenly as an acid taste filled her mouth.

  “Essie!”

  Up ahead she saw Warwick running toward her. His little face was anxious and pale.

  “What is wrong, Warwick?” She gathered him close as he threw himself at her. “Tell me.”

  “It’s Samantha, sh-she fell in the w-water, you must come quick.”

  Essie didn’t hesitate. Picking up her skirts, she clasped her little brother’s hand and ran. She had managed only a few feet when she saw Max approaching with Samantha in his arms. Dorrie and Somer were crying, and Emily looked scared.

  “Essie, help her!” Max’s words were desperate as she approached.

  “Is she conscious?” Essie touched the little girl’s cold cheek.

  Max shook his head. He had no jacket or hat, and his clothes were wet.

  “I heard a cry and ran into the park, and found her in the water. Miss Tolly was about to throw herself in when I arrived.”

  “I-I can’t swim, but I would have tried for Samantha.”

  “It’s all right now,” Essie said to Emily. “We will have her well in no time.” She prayed she was right. “Run ahead now, Emily, and inform James and Eden of what has happened. Once inside the house, open the door to the closest room that has a table, we will be on your heels.”

  As Emily ran back to the house, Essie urged Max on. “We must get her to the house at once, Max.”

  “She’s not breathing, Essie,” Max said, softly so as not to frighten the children.

  They ran, with him clutching a limp Samantha to his chest. James was running out the door with Eden on his heels as they arrived seconds later.

  “There is no time to waste!” Essie cried as they reached her.

  She heard the thunder of feet and knew it would be her brothers and Lilly. They would have sensed something was not right. Max ran through the doorway and into the room Emily indicated, with everyone on his heels.

  “Lower her to the table, and then step back, please.” Essie moved to the little girl and touched her neck. There was no pulse.

  “Everyone in a circle around the table, hold hands,” Essie said. “No, Lilly, you cannot heal carrying a baby.” She urged her sister-in-law back as she stepped closer. “Form part of the circle. Children in too, we need your strength.” No one made a sound, just did as she said.

  Essie moved over the still little girl, and placed her hands on Samantha’s chest. She felt Lilly’s hand on her neck, and knew behind her the others would be taking hands and forming a circle around the child. When Dev wrapped his fingers around her wrist, completing the circle, the surge of strength and power came.

  “Come on, sweetheart.” Essie lifted Samantha’s chin, opened her mouth, then inhaled and exhaled into the girl’s mouth. The child’s chest rose and fell. She did it again, and then pressed down gently on Samantha’s heart and felt the surge of power come from her family, through her and into the child. No one spoke, but she could feel the tension as she repeated the process. After the second time, Samantha started to cough.

  “Samantha, I need you to open your eyes for me now. It’s Essie, sweetheart, open your eyes, come on.” The eyelids flickered.

  “Samantha, come on, love, please.” James’s words were thick with emotion.

  Her lashes fluttered upward, and she tried to focus on Essie.

  “Hello, darling.” Essie turned Samantha onto her side, where she proceeded to be violently ill over the carpet. Essie felt Dev’s hand briefly in her hair, and then the connection was broken.

  “Christ!” James expelled a loud breath.

  “I feel sick, Essie.”

  “I know, love,” she soothed the child.

  “James.” Samantha’s voice was weak.

  Essie moved aside so James could get closer. He lifted the child into his arms and held her close. Essie saw the relief as he closed his eyes briefly and lowered his face to his sister’s damp hair.

  “Emily?”

  “I am here, Samantha.”

  “Eden?”

  “Here also, sweetheart.”

  Raised without love or support, when she was scared or ill, Samantha needed all those she loved dearest close.

  “Everyone is here, Samantha,” James said, holding her close. “Your family are all close.”

  “We need to warm her up now, James,” Essie said. She could not allow herself to feel the fear yet; she had to hold on to it and remain strong until she was alone. Clenching her hands briefly, she fought the shivers that wanted to consume her. “A-a bath, and then some broth, b-but nothing too heavy, as her stomach will be sore. I will make a tonic for her.”

  “Essie.” Cam stepped to her side and pulled her into his arms. “It’s all right now, love.”

  Closing her eyes, she absorbed his strength, and then eased out of his arms, feeling calmer.

  “W-we must get Samantha to her room.”

  They all trooped down the hall and up two sets of stairs, and soon Samantha was settled in her own bed.

  “Check her colors, Dev.”

  “She’s a bit weak, but they are strengthening.”

  “Her lungs are clear,” Eden said next, after listening to Samantha’s chest.

  The little girl sat solemn-faced in her big bed, nodding as James started his lecture.

  “I have told you many times about getting too near the water, Samantha.”

  “I know, James, but there was just the right stick floating by.”

  “God’s blood.” James huffed as he slumped to the bed beside his sister. “You scared us, sweetheart.” He wrapped his arms around her.

  “Our new friend saved you, Samantha.” Somer said the words softly as she climbed on the bed with Dorrie.

  “New friend?” Cam asked.

  Essie looked around her, only now realizing that Max was not with them. When had he left? More importantly what had he seen?

  “Max stood with us for a long while,” Dorrie said. “Quizzing us with tricky questions, and then he left and we went to have our picnic, but we stopped by the water for Samantha to get the stick.”

  “Did he now,” Eden said, throwing Essie a look. “Mr. Huntington is a man of many talents, it seems.”

  “He speaks several languages, but he asked us questions about steam engines, which Samantha pointed out was unfair. But he said that he was not allowing us to beat him, so he had to pose a few questions that we didn’t know.”

  “But we are going to learn about steam engines now,” Somer said. “Uncle will be able to help us.”

  “Come and see Samantha, Warwick.” Eden urged all the children onto the bed, which left the adults alone to talk.

  “I can never thank you enough, Essie.” James hugged her hard. “You saved my sister’s life.”

  “Actually, we all did that. Without their strength, I’m not sure I would have succeeded.”

  “What was that thing you did with your mouth?” Cam asked.

  “I read something about it two months ago, and I remember thinking at the time that it made perfect sense, putting your air into a body that is not breathing.”

  “You’ve never tried it before?” James said, running a hand through his hair.

  “No.”

  “Well, my dear sister-in-law, can I say how pleased I am for your thirst for knowledge.”

  “He saw us,” Essie whispered suddenly. “Saw what I did... what we did.”

  “Who?” Lilly looked around.

  “Mr. Huntington. He saw what I did, what you all did.”

  “I’m not sure that he did, he may have left by then,” Dev said, coming to Essie’s side. “And what did he see but family supporting each other?”

  “I said I needed your strength,” Essie whispered. “And told Lilly she could not heal, as she
was carrying the baby.” Ice sluiced through her veins.

  “It will be all right, love.” Dev settled a large hand on her shoulder.

  “He cannot begin to understand you Sinclairs. Christ, I still can’t work it out, and I’m married to one,” James added. “One thing I do know, however, is that I owe him a debt of gratitude for getting Samantha out of the water.”

  “He has left the house,” Eden said. “Jenny, one of the maids, is telling the housekeeper about him. Apparently Mr. Huntington is fiercely handsome, almost as handsome as her master and those Sinclairs.”

  “Oh come now,” Cam scoffed. “There is no way that man is more handsome than us.”

  “Vanity is a sin,” Emily snapped.

  “This is not your fault, Em,” James said to his sister.

  “I should have stopped her, James, but she is quick, and fell before I could do so.”

  Essie could see Emily blamed herself for what had happened. Another who had been raised in an unhappy and unhealthy situation, she still bore the scars.

  “No, you could not have.” Unlike Samantha, who now liked to be hugged, Emily was stiff under the arm her brother wrapped around her shoulders. “The fault is hers alone, and I will not have you believing differently, Emily.”

  She nodded, and then stepped out of the embrace and left the room.

  “I’ll talk to her,” Cam said.

  “You’ll argue with her,” Dev scoffed.

  “Maybe she needs that now?”

  Essie watched him leave the room. “Samantha needs sleep, so we shall leave. Come, Warwick, Dorrie, and Somer.” Essie gave Eden and James instructions, and advised what to watch out for with Samantha. “Perhaps you should call a doctor?”

  “Why?” James questioned.

  “To check her over thoroughly. After all, I am not qualified—”

  “I have faith in you, so no doctor will be called,” James said.

  “Stay and take tea,” Eden said, moving to her husband’s side. He lifted an arm and she slipped under it. James kissed his wife’s head. It was a gesture as natural as breathing to them now, and Essie was glad for her sister. She may not have love in her life, but two of her siblings did, and that should be enough. Is enough, she corrected silently.