by Wendy Vella
Sam snuffled and then lifted the squishy thing for Dev's inspection.
“Good grief, it is,” Dev said, reaching over Lilly's head to take the offering. “What you have here, Sam, is very rare indeed.”
This time the boy giggled, sounding like every small boy should, and the sound made Dev's heart lighten.
Lilly didn't want to feel any harmony with the dark and dangerous lord, but watching Sam smile as Lord Sinclair continued to tell him a ludicrous tale about the Bulgularas two-eared Daturmond, she felt something unfamiliar stir in her chest.
Lilly did not feel things for people other than her children. Yes, she cared for her aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Davey, and Bee, then there was Wilson, but no one had ever really made her fingers and toes tingle the way looking at and touching Lord Sinclair did.
“They eat only the rarest form of Daturmond seeds, found only three nights a year on the first three days of the Bulgularas Festival.”
“Where do the seeds grow?”
“Well now, that's the real problem, Sam.”
She watched Lord Sinclair take the seat Lilly vacated.
“Dev is very good with children, Lilliana.” Essie led her to the window. “He is a master storyteller and believe me, he has had plenty of practice over the years.”
Lilly sat at the small table in one of the chairs and watched Sam laugh as Lord Sinclair continued with his tale. She didn't want to like him, yet she had to admit he was good with children.
He was disturbing, and unsettled her. Finding her in the kitchens, swinging her legs as she ate a cinnamon bun had not been an ideal start, especially as she was determined after what they had shared in that conservatory that he would see only the persona she donned for society. That idea had not worked. Lilly couldn't find it in herself to be silly here. No simpering or gushing, not at Temple Street. Here, she was simply the person she wanted to be.
“An ideal elder brother, then.”
“Oh yes, I cannot fault him, even though his faults are many.”
Lilly tried to stifle the flash of jealousy she felt as Essie threw her brother a fond look. Her brother cared nothing for her.
“I am knitting some hats with scarves as a trial for your children, and will send them over when they are finished.”
Lilly turned her attention away from the disturbing nobleman and equally disturbing thoughts running through her head to focus on his sister. She and Essie discussed the children's needs.
“How many children do you watch over, Lilly?”
“In truth, there are many who need help. However, some of them are too scared to come forward when they are in trouble or unwell. Those that do are usually desperate and have little choice.”
“Do they come here or must you always go into the streets to find them?”
“One of the boys, Toby, lives here with Mr. and Mrs. Davey. He was injured and has stayed ever since,” Lilly said, shooting a quick look at Sam. He would not stay here; she would see him safe to one of her family's estates. Unlike Toby, he would not refuse to go.
“He is my eyes and ears. The children go to him if they need me, and he takes things to them. Sometimes I will go to a place that I know is safe to see them. When winter arrives, some of the cold nights send them here. Mr. and Mrs. Davey will feed them, and let them sleep in the kitchens when the beds are full.”
“It must be hard for you to leave here after the season,” Essex said.
Lilly nodded. In fact, it was unbearable to leave London with her family and retire to her brother's estate. Mrs. Davey wrote with updates on how the children were doing, yet it was not enough. One more year and she would be able to do as she wished—if she could stay unmarried, that was.
They talked for a while longer and then Sam called her back to the bed.
“Did you enjoy that story, Sam?” Lilly said.
“Yes, and Lord Sinclair is going to come back soon and tell me another one.”
“Is he?”
“I have promised the boy. Therefore I will deliver on that promise, Lilliana.”
He had moved to stand beside her and Lilly fought the urge to shuffle away. This man had kissed her—really kissed her—and she had felt it to the soles of her feet.
“Toby was here this morning, Lilly, and he says another boy is missing.”
“When did it happen?” Lilly took Sam's fingers and held them tight. She had not stopped this happening as she had promised.
“Last night. They got little Teddy this time. He just vanished like the others, and no one knows where to.”
Aware of that the Sinclairs were listening, Lilly lowered her voice.
“It's all right, Sam. I will pay another visit to the local Watch House to look into it, and demand that someone investigates the matter at once. But right now it is most important that you rest and heal.”
“Toby said to tell you he was going out to see if anyone had heard anything. He'll come back later and tell you what he's learned or send you a message.”
“All right. Now, you sleep and I will come and see you before I go.”
She hugged Sam and kissed the top of his head. Unlike the adults in her life, her children expected nothing from her but what was in her power to give.
“Good day, Sam.”
“Good day to you, Lord Sinclair, Miss Sinclair.”
Lilly closed the door softly behind them as they left Sam to rest. She led the way back downstairs, and this time she would insist Lord Sinclair depart. She did not want him in her house a second longer.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“What was Sam talking about, Lilliana?” Essex asked as they reached the parlor door on their way to the front door. “Is it connected with what took place the other night with Dev?”
“It matters not.” She dismissed the words and took another step, but a hand stopped her.
“Perhaps we could help with this problem?”
“It is my problem, Lord Sinclair.”
“I have brought the tea.”
“Lord Sinclair was just leaving, Mrs. Davey.” Lilly tried to head off her housekeeper.
“I cannot leave without eating one of those buns, Mrs. Davey. In fact, I am half tempted to move into Temple Street myself, if this is the standard of fare I would be assured.”
Lilly doubted the housekeeper would fall for such obvious flattery, yet when she glanced at the woman, her cheeks were flushed and she was beaming.
“It is an honor, my lord, to have a healthy appetite in the house. We do not have many visitors.”
Lilly could hardly stay in the hall when he and his sister were making their way back into the parlor behind Mrs. Davey, but she wanted to. In fact, she was tempted to walk out the front door and leave them there.
“Can I pour you a cup, Miss Braithwaite?”
“No thank you, Mrs. Davey.”
“Does not eat near enough,” Lilly heard the woman mutter as she left the room.
She did not want to sit, because that gave Lord Sinclair a target to look at and she did not feel comfortable under his disturbing gaze, so she walked around the room. Surely the height of rudeness when her guests sat, and yet she cared little about that. This was Temple Street; here she did not cater to the whims of others, only the children.
“How long have young children been going missing off the streets of London, and how came you to be chasing that man and rescuing one of them?”
Lord Sinclair asked the question.
“If I tell you, will you leave?”
“Tell us and then we shall see.”
“Come, Lilliana. We only wish to help, nothing more. Tell us what is happening to those sweet children.”
Lilly told them then, because of Essex Sinclair's words. They were children who needed all the help they could get, and perhaps in telling their story she would achieve that. Much as he unsettled her, Lord Sinclair had powerful people at his back, and with a word from him, those people may champion her cause also.
“Six children have now gone missin
g over the last four weeks. Wilson and I have called at the local Watch House after each abduction to alert them and ensure someone would look into the matter. However, I was dismissed each time as a hysterical woman. I then demanded to see whoever was in charge, but was merely waved away as if I were some addlepated woman with few wits.”
“Well, it is fair to say that I, and others in society, believe you just that, Lilliana.”
“Dev!” Essex Sinclair looked at her brother, horrified. Lilly, however, had the ridiculous urge to laugh. She swallowed it.
“I have no idea what you speak of.”
He studied her.
“Your dresses are hideous, your hair would please any bird looking for a nest, and you speak like an empty-headed fool.”
“Please do not hold back, my lord. It is my fondest wish to receive unwanted fashion advice from you. Not to mention slurs upon my character.” Lilly was sure she should be angrier at his attack, and yet she wasn't. Perhaps because, for once, someone was seeing the real her.
“Dev, you are being rude.”
“But truthful.” He did not look at his sister but kept his eyes on Lilly.
“I have no wish to discuss this matter further. You wanted to hear about the missing children, and so I told you. I did not do so to offer you the opportunity to assassinate my character.”
“Perhaps if you had stayed calm when speaking with the men at the Watch House, it may have helped.”
Essex Sinclair groaned at her brother's words.
“How do you know I did not stay calm?” Lilly demanded. “It is extremely hard to stay calm when dealing with idiots. One of the men had the audacity to say it was a blessing to get a few of the children off the streets, like you would rid a home of vermin!”
He raised one hand. “I am not accusing you, just pointing out that you will get nowhere if you do not stay calm and rational.”
“I was entirely rational!”
Lilly looked at Essex when she snuffled.
“If you were this calm and rational, then I can imagine how the meeting at the Watch went, Lilly.”
“Miss Braithwaite,” she snapped. “Not Lilliana or Lilly!”
“Forgive me,” he said, and the wicked look in his eyes did not appease her.
“I do not like people patronizing me, nor do I like men believing that because I don't wear pants I am therefore a fool.”
“I shall remember not to make the same mistake.”
Lilly did not like the way he phrased those words, as they suggested the future included more time spent in each other’s company.
“He is always calm and rational,” Essex then said, nodding to her brother. “It is most frustrating for the rest of his siblings.”
“Someone has to be. We would continually be arguing if I did not put a stop to it.”
Lilly watched him swallow another mouthful of what, by her count, was his third cinnamon bun. He would be an uncomfortable husband for whoever he married. Intimidating just by his large presence, and he would want control.
“Have you any idea at all about who has the children? Are there no whispers on the streets?”
“The other night, Toby heard a rumor that they were to take another child from the area we were in. So Wilson and I arrived to attempt to keep the children safe, and this time we succeeded. But we cannot watch them all.”
“That was extremely foolhardy of you, Lilly. You could have been hurt or abducted yourself.”
She waved his words away. “My concern is for the children, not myself. Toby is spreading the word that I will offer a reward for any news about whoever is behind this.”
“Is that wise? Surely you will have any number of people calling here hoping to claim the reward?”
“I am not a fool, Lord Sinclair. All information will come through Toby.”
“I never suggested you were a fool, Lilly.”
His usual drawl had become more clipped as she challenged him. Good. Perhaps if he knew she was no meek and mild lady, he would stay away from her.
“My name is Miss Braithwaite,” Lilly said. “Your sister can call me Lilliana, but that is because I like her!”
“I do believe that hurt.” He rubbed his chest and tried to look wounded. Lilly was not fooled.
“Do you know all the missing boys, Lilly? It must be distressing for you,” Essex Sinclair said, ignoring her brother.
“I know a few of them. But Teddy, the latest boy to go missing, was here last winter when he became sick.”
“And you believe the children selected are random? Not all boys, or girls. Short or tall, large or small?”
“Randomly,” Lilly said, looking reluctantly at Lord Sinclair as she addressed his question. “Are you thinking they are being taken for a specific reason?”
“What does your brother say on the matter? Perhaps if he were to intervene on
your—”
“My brother is a busy man, and knows nothing of this, and I would beg you to keep it that way. Lord Sinclair.”
Lilly withstood the intense and searching look he leveled at her. She wondered what was in his thoughts.
“I understand, and of course my sister and I will say nothing on this matter to anyone, including your family. However, someone must accompany you to the Watch House today, preferably a man, as you have already determined that you alone, with a servant, will not be taken seriously.”
“There is only your brother, aunt, and yourself, Lilliana?” Essex Sinclair sighed. “Imagine that, Dev, having only one sibling.”
“There are a lot of you?” Lilly asked before she could stop herself. These people intrigued her.
“Seven in total.”
“So many?” Lilly could not imagine sharing a house with seven people.
“I assure you there are benefits,” Lord Sinclair drawled. “If you look hard enough.”
Lilly looked to Essex. Surely he had just insulted her? But no, the woman was smiling at her brother.
“If your family is unable to accompany you, then I will.”
Lilly took a few seconds to realize what he had said, as her thoughts were still on what it would be like to have so many siblings. But when she did, everything inside her rebelled.
No, no... no!
“Thank you, but I can manage on my own, my lord.”
“I cannot let you travel to the Watch House on your own, Lilly.”
“What a wonderful idea, Dev.” Essex Sinclair smiled at him and then Lilly before she could once again refuse. “He is quite handy in most situations, and I'm sure he would excel in this one also.”
“Thank you, darling.”
“No, I have no wish for you to accompany me.”
“We shall take your carriage, Lilly, and Essie will take mine, as she is to return home to our younger siblings.”
“Oh, yes indeed.” Essex Sinclair jumped to her feet, and her brother followed. “I had quite forgotten I am to take the children to the park this afternoon. Please forgive me, Lilliana, for not accompanying you.”
“No, wait.” Lilly followed. “There is no need for anyone to accompany me. I am not your concern, Lord Sinclair, and am more than capable of going on my own.”
“I would never allow a woman to go into a Watch House on her own. As none of your family is here to protect you, I will accompany you.”
Stay in control, Lilly.
“I need no protection, Lord Sinclair, and please address me correctly. I have dealt with many things on my own with some success, and this will be the same.”
“And yet I will accompany you. I was there the other night, and can possibly be of some help.”
He was smiling at her now, yet those eyes were darker. Perhaps he was not as composed as he appeared.
“No, I have my footman and maid, so I really must insist that you escort your sister home, my lord.”
“I will accompany Lilly and her maid to the Watch House and then I shall summon a hackney and return home, Essex. Please tell the children I will visit
with them then.”
“No—”
“Argument is futile once he has made up his mind, Lilliana, and besides, he may prove useful in some capacity, even if it is to stand behind you and intimidate whoever you speak to. I wish you every luck, and will hear the details when Dev returns home.”
She trailed behind the siblings to the door, wondering if it would be wrong to lock the door if she could get him to step outside.
“Our sister and her husband are due to return soon, and I am hoping you will come for dinner one evening, Lilly,” Essex said, pulling on her gloves.
“Oh well—”
“Excellent.”
She heard Lord Sinclair's deep laugh as she stood looking at the door his sister had just sailed through. They were incredibly forceful, these people.
“Argument is futile, I am afraid.”
Frustrated, she glared at him. “This is highly improper, and I have no wish for you to accompany me. Should we be seen it would raise any number of questions.”
“And running about London streets with children at dusk is the correct behavior for ladies, is it?”
“Are you threatening to expose me, my lord?”
He looked genuinely surprised by her words, followed by annoyance.
“I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion, but let me assure you that I do not tell tales. No matter how much I question your activities.”
“You have no right to question anything about me!” Lilly felt her temper rise. Lord, this man was insufferable... and exhausting to be around.
“Perhaps not, but I am now aware of your reckless gadding about London streets, and I would be lying if I did not say I was concerned.”
Truly baffled, she asked why.
“You are a lady of my acquaintance, and as such honor dictates I ensure you are safe.”
“But we don't even like each other.” His words made absolutely no sense.
He moved closer, taking one of her hands in his.
“We didn't like each other, but now we do.”
His gentle smile disturbed her more than it should, and Lilly had a sinking feeling that she was on the precipice of something, but had no idea what. The tingling feeling in her fingers had her snatching back her hand.