by Wendy Vella
“No.” She shook her head. “I don't want to like you.”
“But you do.”
Dear God, she feared he was right, and that all the turmoil inside her was not because she loathed and detested him, but in fact because she liked him. Needing distance to draw a deep, calming breath, Lilly hurried to the kitchens to tell Bee they were leaving. Distance, she reminded herself. Distance would heal whatever madness was currently taking up residence inside her head.
Lilly looked out the carriage window as they journeyed to the Watch House. Lord Sinclair had attempted to converse with her, yet she had been equally determined to get their relationship back on the footing it had held for the last two years.
His words before they left Temple Street had disturbed her, and she knew he was right. She could like him, but she would not. Could not. Therefore, she would retreat.
“Those buns were the best I have tasted.”
She looked at him, but his eyes were on Bee. A maid, for pity’s sake. Did the man not know that noblemen did not converse with maids—not that she didn't converse with staff, but still, he was a lord.
“I could get the recipe for you, my lord. Mrs. Davey would not mind, I am sure.”
“Could you indeed? I should be most obliged.”
His eyes lit at the prospect, making him look less like an intimidating peer and more like an eager young boy.
“My younger siblings would enjoy them.”
“How many of you are there, my lord? If you don't mind me asking?”
“Not at all, Miss…?”
“Just Bee, my lord.”
Lilly watched her usually stoic maid smile. It took a great deal to get such reaction from her in the normal course of a day.
“Well, Bee, I'm the eldest. My sister Essex comes next, and then Cambridge and Eden. We have a jump then to the twins, Dorset and Somerset, aged nine years, and lastly Warwickshire.”
“And you are called Devonshire,” Lilly said, intrigued despite herself.
“Yes, we are each named after a location in England. My parents traveled a lot.” He finished with a shrug, looking at her.
“It must be very noisy.”
Lilly saw the small laugh lines bracketing his mouth as he smiled, and those emerald-green eyes sparkled like the brightest gems. He was dangerous. Very dangerous, and she must always remember that fact. Men were not to be trusted.
“That, Bee, is an understatement. The noise is sometimes deafening, especially when we play games. It's the squealing; it gets into your eardrums and is mighty hard to dislodge.”
“And you would have it no other way, my lord.”
“Too true, Bee. I am indeed blessed to have so much love in my life.”
It was petty of her to hate him for that statement, yet Lilly did.
“We have arrived,” she said minutes later, relieved that she could get out of the carriage and away from him. He took up too much room with his long legs and large feet. Not to mention the smell of the man. Her brother wore some overpowering cologne, as did plenty of other men she knew, but not him. For some reason it reminded Lilly of the countryside. The trees, grass, earth. Inhaling his scent made her feel... alive.
Dev stepped down before Lilly, holding out a hand. She was forced to take it, and he lowered her to the ground.
“Come, Bee.” She did not acknowledge him, instead addressing her maid.
“Yes, Miss Braithwaite.”
Together they stood looking across the road at the brick façade. It was not a building that made a person take a second look. The windows were clean but unadorned, the five front steps painted gray.
“I understand your reasons for being here, Lilly, yet would caution you that it is highly unlikely you will receive the answers you seek yet again.”
He would do what he could for her, yet she needed to know that it was very likely another fruitless endeavor they were embarking on.
“Perhaps if you have that attitude then it would be best if you stayed in the carriage. I shall leave Bee with you, so you may continue your cozy chat with her, Lord Sinclair.”
“She is a most excellent conversationalist, to be sure. However, I have said I will accompany you, so I shall leave further discussions about cinnamon buns for another day.”
“Don't laugh at me!”
“Then don't be ridiculous, and I shall not be forced to.”
He reached for her arm as she stepped away from him, but she was too quick and started across the street. Dev turned to look for any approaching traffic. He saw the carriage and the intent face of the driver. Raising his whip, the man urged his horses faster. The street was busy, so he had no cause to be traveling at such speed.
Looking to where Lilly was in the middle of the road, Dev started in her direction. The carriage would not touch her on its present course, yet it would pay for her to increase her pace.
Throwing the driver another look, he then felt it again, that sudden surge of desperation he had experienced twice in his life before. The carriage changed direction and veered toward Lilly.
“Run, Lilly!”
“Miss Braithwaite!” Bee's cry did not reach her either.
Head down, she continued walking. Dev started running, desperate to reach her and keep her safe. Seconds later she was in his arms. He took a huge leap that carried them to safety before the carriage flew past.
He cursed as his knees wobbled, but he managed to remain upright. Heart thudding so hard Dev felt breathless, he tightened his grip on her.
“Dear God, Lilly, tell me you are all right?”
“Y-yes, thank you, my lord. Pl-please put me down.” Her voice was unsteady.
Dev lowered her to the ground, but he couldn't let her go because he needed to touch her. Holding her upper arms, he steadied both of them.
She was safe now, he reminded himself.
“I-I didn't hear them, I'm sorry.”
“You are safe; that is all that matters.”
Dear God, the desperation inside him had been palpable. He'd experienced that sensation when he had saved the Duke of Raven at Quatre Bras, and then the other night when he had caught Lilly as she'd fallen. What did that mean? She wasn't a Raven. Could his reaction to her simply be because she had his colors?
“Yes—I'm sorry I d-did not hear the carriage coming, Lord Sinclair. It came upon me so quickly.”
She was shaking, so he ran his hands up her arms before taking one hand in his.
“Come, take my arm and we shall walk a while before we enter the building. I for one need the time.”
Her fingers gripped his sleeve, and Dev fought the urge to wrap his arm around her waist.
“I-I…. please allow me to thank you, my lord.”
“I was unsure if I would reach you.”
“It was very brave of you to take such a risk for someone you barely know.”
“You were about to be run down, Lilly. Of course I took the risk.”
“Some would not.”
Dev had a feeling there was more to that statement, but he left it for now.
“I did not hurt you?”
“No, I am quite well, thank you, just a little unsettled.”
“And forever in my debt.”
“Pardon?” She looked up at him, her lavender eyes wide. She was pale, and Dev did not fight the need to close the distance and brush his lips over hers.
“My lord!”
“Excellent, you now have color in your cheeks once more.”
“You c-cannot do such a thing out here where anyone could chance upon us!” Her eyes were shooting left and right behind the lenses of her glasses.
“All right, I shall wait till we are alone then.”
“No, you shall not!”
“Lilly—”
“Call me Miss Braithwaite!”
“No.”
“Why?” She looked up at him once more.
“Because you are now Lilly to me.”
She shook her head as if to clear it. “I re
ally do not understand what is happening. We dislike each other, and until a few nights ago, did not even speak.”
“Come, you can mull over that later. Neither of us is still breathing like a racehorse, so we shall take on the local Watch.”
“Don't call me Lilly.”
His siblings always had the last word too, Dev thought, opening the door and ushering her inside.
CHAPTER NINE
The interior was as unassuming as the exterior. A narrow hallway led to a half wall behind which a man scribbled into a small book. He looked up as they approached, and rose with a polite smile on his face. Dev let Lilly go first, and stood at her back as she spoke.
“Good day to you, sir. My name is Miss Braithwaite, and I came here a week ago for my fifth visit and spoke with Sergeant Blacklock, yet again, about the matter of missing boys. I wish to follow up and see what is being done about this problem, as one more child was taken just last night.”
It wasn't a position he was used to, yet Dev did not intervene as she addressed the man. His siblings usually let him deal with things; it had just always been that way, yet not this woman. He had a feeling she had dealt with a great many things in her life, and wondered again at the relationship she had with her brother.
His thoughts returned to the driver of that carriage. He had seen his features clearly, and was sure he had directed his horses deliberately at Lilly. But why?
“Well, I can honestly say I know nothing about the matter, Miss Braithwaite. Where have these boys disappeared from? Are they in your service perhaps?”
“They are children who earn their living on the streets of London, sir. Young, helpless children who have fallen prey to some sort of—of foul play.”
Dev watched the man lower his eyes before once again lifting them. He was sure there had been an eye roll in there somewhere.
“As I'm sure the previous officer told you, Miss Braithwaite, the young street urchins are transient. They've probably just moved on to fleece someone else.”
“Fleece?”
There was little doubting to anyone present that Lilly was not pleased with the term. Ice had formed on the word as she said it. Dev noted her elevated chin and rigid shoulders. Small and perfectly formed, she almost quivered with indignation.
He wondered again how he'd been so foolish as to not see the woman beneath the exterior she portrayed to society. Possibly because most evenings she was hiding in the corners of the room and he never cared to look for her.
“Ahhh, well, as I see it, Miss Braithwaite, there is little we can do to find these boys, as in all honesty them disappearing is nothing new.”
“Six boys have simply vanished and this is nothing new to you?”
If her spine became any more rigid it would snap. Fearing she was about to launch a stronger attack on the helpless man, Dev stepped forward.
“My name is Lord Sinclair. My uncle, the Earl of Wynburg, is a man most interested in the workings of the Watch, as is my brother-in-law, the Duke of Raven. They are both eager to hear the outcome of today's enquiry, as the children who are forced to make an existence on our streets are a particular concern to both.”
Dev felt Lilly's eyes on him. She didn't glare precisely, but he thought it inferred. The man looked from her to him, and then nodded. His demeanor had changed at the names Dev had dropped into the conversation. He sat up straight, and the pitying look on his face had vanished.
“If you will wait through here, my lord,” he said, opening a door behind him. “I will speak with one of my colleagues over the matter.”
“Excellent. Take a seat, Bee. We shall return shortly.” Dev waved the maid to a seat and then placed a hand to Lilly's back and urged her forward. Her muscles tensed, as if to stop him, but he used enough force to propel her forward or end up on her face.
“I should have my maid with me.”
“She is just outside the door, which is open.”
The room was gray and stark, one table and two chairs. A small window high in the wall afforded dull light and Dev thought that perhaps enough time spent in here under interrogation and he would tell them his secrets too.
“Why do you hide behind that facade in the evenings, when it is clearly not who you are?”
“Pardon?”
The hands that were fussing with her skirts stopped as she looked at him.
Dev positioned his chair close to hers before lowering himself to sit. She attempted to shuffle sideways, but he wasn't allowing that. Leaning close, he braced a hand on the back.
“I cannot work out why you are trying so hard to stop society seeing how beautiful you truly are. And that inside that lovely head is an intelligence to rival many.”
She trilled out a little laugh.
“La, Lord Sinclair, I do declare it is wondrous to hear you speak of my intelligence.”
“It's too late to take a step backward, Lilly. I have seen through you.” Dev cupped her chin, then brushed a finger gently over her lip.
“Stop touching me,” she hissed, trying to remove his hand.
“Tell me the truth.”
She pushed his hand aside.
“You have no right to speak to me so intimately. No right to demand answers from me. We are strangers.”
She was scared, and he knew how she felt, as he was too. This, what lay between them, had sprung to life too quickly, and they were both reeling.
“I have no wish to hurt you, Lilly.”
“If that is indeed true, then being here alone with you will harm my reputation irreparably. Plus, were anyone to hear you speaking to me so intimately, word would spread with haste, and I have no wish for my reputation to be compromised.”
“All true, and yet your activities already do that regularly. Walking about talking to your urchins with only a servant at your side on seedy London streets after dark. Having that house in Temple Street, and what goes on there. So I think my being in this room alone with you is of little concern when the rest is taken into consideration, don't you?”
“I must insist you keep that information to yourself. Were it to get about that I have Temple Street, and have done the things you say, many will not be pleased.”
“I will keep your secrets.”
Their eyes held, and he was suddenly aware of every breath she drew.
“God, you are a beautiful woman.” Dev closed the distance between them.
“Please don't kiss me again.” Her words were a frantic whisper.
“Because you want it as much as I and that scares you.”
She placed a hand on his chest and pushed.
“I am scared of nothing, and most especially not an arrogant nobleman with far too high an opinion of himself.”
“Liar.” Dev kissed her cheek, then sat upright as he heard the door squeak.
“That”—she waved her hand about—”is improper behavior, and I wish you to stop it at once.”
Before Dev could reply, in walked a man.
“Lord Sinclair, I am Sergeant Gavell.”
“Sergeant.” He rose to shake the man's hand.
“Miss Braithwaite.”
“Sergeant.” Lilly nodded.
The man made a lot of fuss about placing his chair on the other side of the desk. Short and round with a bald head, the inspector had a bushy mustache that took up a great deal of his face.
“I understand that you are concerned over the disappearance of six boys who make their living on the streets of London?”
He didn't look at Lilly as he spoke, eyes firmly fixed on Dev, and this, he knew, would not please her.
“As this is my sixth visit here, I wonder you do not know more about this matter. I can also hear the disbelief in your voice, Sergeant Gavell. Do you believe I am making this story up?”
Dev didn't sigh, but he thought about it. The woman had no idea how to deal with a man like the sergeant, who had absolutely no respect for women, even ones of noble birth.
“Sergeant Gavell,” Dev began after shooting
her a look that he hoped she interpreted to mean be quiet. “As you are aware, my uncle, brother-in-law, and I are actively involved in helping those less fortunate than ourselves, and we believe these children fall into that category.”
“I hardly think that—”
“And as such when it was brought to my attention that the boys were suddenly disappearing, I decided to accompany Miss Braithwaite on this visit to this Watch House, to lend my weight behind her enquiries. Not of course that I needed to add any weight; after all, a woman's word is equally as strong as a man’s, don't you think, Sergeant?”
Sergeant Gavell didn't see his argument at all. His mustache was now quivering with indignation.
“My men have very important work to undertake, my lord, and running around looking for those little... little feral creatures is, I am afraid, not a high priority for us.”
Dev felt Lilly tense, no doubt getting ready to fire a volley of insults at the sergeant’s head. He placed his hand over hers where it gripped the edges of the seat. Giving it a warning squeeze, he hoped she understood his need for her to keep quiet.
“Of course, if you are unable to spare the manpower for such an important task, I could hire several Runners. I'm sure they will do a thorough job. Understandably, my brother-in-law, the Duke of Raven, and uncle, the Earl of Wynburg, will be very disappointed not to have the Watch behind this investigation, however....”
“That will not be necessary, my lord! I am sure we can spare a few men to investigate the matter.”
Sergeant Gavell's color had deepened and Dev could tell he was not happy that he had used his connections to apply the pressure.
Minutes later Dev escorted Lilly outside the building. She reluctantly took his arm as they walked back to where the carriage waited.
“I'm sure you could have used the Earl of Wynburg and the Duke of Raven's names at least twice more in that conversation, had you tried harder.”
“I do believe that was sarcasm, Lilly.”
“How astute of you.”
“A simple thank-you will suffice.”
“Thank you,” she muttered. “Loath as I am to admit it, I see now that I would not have achieved the same result had I come alone.”