by Wendy Vella
Then there was this business of her being affected when she touched other people. Not him; she had loved that. Dev shouldn't feel so good that he was the only one she could place her hands on, but he did, selfish bastard that he was. If his hunch was correct, she would soon be in for a shock when he explained what he believed the reasons behind her sensitive hands were, but that was for another day.
“Gunter’s?” he said quickly. That got them, Dev thought, as silence reigned around the table. They loved ices.
“No!” they cried in unison.
“I yield,” he muttered, raising his hands in the air. “But Cam and Essie will take you and I will meet you there. I have some business to see to for Uncle first.”
Everyone agreed, and Dev was immediately covered in kisses from his little sisters and a fierce hug from Warwick. Minutes later, smiling, he left the house.
The drive through London was slow, as horses, carriages, and carts jockeyed for position, but finally he arrived at the docks. Dev stepped down from his carriage and inhaled. He loved this place; he felt alive surrounded by the bustle, noise, and salt air. Having grown up near the sea, the smell was so familiar to him and made him long for Oak’s Knoll, his family's home.
Closing his eyes briefly, he reopened them when he was steadier. Looking at the scene before him was almost too much, an assault on the eyes, especially his eyes, as his vision allowed him to see more than most.
Ships rocked from side to side, their wooden hulls creaking and groaning. Masts waved, rigging jangled, and when they were quiet, the sound of men yelling filled the silence. Walking to where one of his uncle's ships bobbed gently on its moorings, he signaled his intention to board.
Dev had only really known the Earl of Wynburg, his uncle, since arriving in London. Previous attempts from their aunt and uncle to make contact with the Sinclair siblings had been rebuffed by their father. This had changed upon his death.
The siblings had been summoned by the Earl and Countess to London, and then they had learned just what a manipulative man their father had been, and that now they were heirs to the Earl's fortune.
“Morning, my lord. Captain Blake is in his cabin,” a seaman said as Dev arrived at the top of the gangway.
“Thank you.” He nodded and made his way along the decks to where the captain's cabin was located. Dev nodded to crewmen who were busy checking rigging and preparing the vessel to sail on the morning tide.
“Lord Sinclair, Lord Wynburg told me to expect your arrival,” the captain said, coming forward to meet him.
The man's cabin was pristine. The wood and brass were highly polished, as were the boots of the man before him. He had a waxed mustache that made up for his lack of hair, and broad shoulders encased in a white shirt.
“Come, we shall begin the inspection of the stock and I will have my man make a list for you to take to your uncle.”
An hour later Dev left the ship with an inventory of the stock and where and when it would reach its intended destination. He had been impressed by the way Captain Blake ran his ship and had taken many mental notes during his time on board. Once again back on the dock, Dev felt his heartbeat increase as he made his way to another ship berthed two along.
He had another reason for being here today, other than doing business on behalf of his uncle. He was here to look over his recently purchased first ship. The Neptune's Lady was now his. It was the beginning of his fleet, and would carry cargo and passengers to far-off places and return with goods. Silks, spices, and any manner of things. Things he would sell and begin to build his empire. Lord, he wanted to be on board for the first voyage, but he could not leave yet.
“Permission to come aboard!”
A face peered over the railing above.
“Who are you?”
“The new owner of this vessel,” Dev said politely.
“Permission to board, my lord!”
Dev shook his head; surely they had heard that cry four ships away. Eden would have heard it many miles away. Making his way up the gangway, he found himself facing three somber-faced men at the top.
“Lord Sinclair, I am Captain Bilberry.”
“Captain Bilberry, it is a pleasure to meet you,” Dev said, holding out his hand. Surprise flashed across the worn face before him, but he took the hand and shook it firmly.
“I expect you'd like a tour of your new purchase, Lord Sinclair?”
“If you can spare the time, Captain, I would like that very much.”
Leaning on the deck of his ship two hours later, Dev looked at the scene below, enjoying the bustle and activity. He had viewed every inch of the Neptune’s Lady, from the gleaming brass in the tallest mast, to the hammocks swinging below deck, and loved it all.
When his parents had died and left him as head of the family, he had realized the state of the Sinclair finances, the mess his father had left him. Leaving the army, he had done the best he could with what few options he had available to him, and they had survived—just. But his uncle had given him freedom, and with that freedom he had found the ability to breathe without tightness in his chest. Fear had ridden him for so long. Fear that he would not be able to feed and clothe his family, not be able to educate them and give them the life he wanted for them.
“You have to let me help you,” his uncle had said when Dev had initially refused his offers of support. Still reeling from his father's treatment of Eden and the knowledge of what his previously beloved parent had done to his family, Dev had been angry and confused. His pride had refused all offers of help; he had merely wanted to gather every single Sinclair up and retreat to their home, the only place his siblings had known before their parents’ death.
“Have you always had the ridiculous need to protect people?” Dev smiled as he remembered Lilly's words to him. She had not offered him sympathy as others would. She had spoken the truth, and for that he could only respect her.
“Will you need anything else, my lord?”
Dev turned to face Captain Bilberry.
“Nothing further, Captain. Everything looks excellent, and I shall look forward to seeing you in a few months.”
With a bow the captain departed, and Dev turned to look back over the railings.
His uncle's empire was vast, and Dev had plans to follow his lead. One day he too would own ships and warehouses. Some would come to him with the Earl's passing, but some he would have purchased and paid for himself.
Dev felt a shiver of awareness roll down his spine that had him scanning the buildings before him. He focused on a small room perched on top of a tavern.
“What the hell is she doing here?”
Pushing himself upright, Dev watched Lilliana Braithwaite pace back and forth before a set of windows beneath which was one of the deadliest drinking houses in the area. The Anchor was renowned for drunkards, whoring, and brawls, and that was before the sun set. As she walked, another man watched her movements from the doorway. Dev recognized him as the servant from the day he had first seen her with the children.
“For pity’s sake, woman, I expressly told you to tell me if you wanted to court trouble!” Dev muttered, taking the gangway at speed. “What the bloody hell are you about now?”
Lilly walked through the three rooms one more time. They would need cleaning, and the furniture would have to be replaced.
“I'm really not sure about this, Toby. Another location would offer more protection.”
“I've told you why it's perfect, Lilly,” the boy said. He looked up at her with wise, old eyes that had seen more than any child his age should. “Temple Street is all well and good for when they's sick, but this will offer them a place to bolt. A place to hide and stay warm, close to where they spend most of their days.”
“Do they often need a place to hide?” Lilly almost feared the answer, as in her heart she knew it.
“Yes.”
One word that said so much, she thought, looking around the dark, dismal space. She would ensure it was bright and clean
. Ensure those children who needed a place to hide would feel safe in it.
“I will be guided by you with what we need in here, Toby, if I choose to lease it.”
She and the boy had come up with the idea for leasing more rooms for the children after he had come to her with rumors that were suddenly thick on the London streets. Rumors about a man called Dominus, who was intent on building an army of children to work for him. An army of thieves that would take over all other gangs. No one knew his identity, but they feared him. It seemed his reputation had grown through foul deeds that even Toby struggled to recount to Lilly.
“I heard tell that he will destroy anyone who gets in his way, Lilly. I'm thinking you need to stop going to the Watch, and stop any inquiries, ’cause it must be him who's taking the children.”
“Why do you say that, Toby?” She moved to where he stood, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“’Cause maybe he'll come after you.”
Lilly remembered what Devonshire Sinclair had said to her.
“Have you given thought to the fact that the carriage that nearly hit you outside the Watch House did so deliberately?”
Was he right?
“I shall be careful, Toby. Do not worry about me, just keep yourself safe.”
The boy was far too thin still, Lilly thought as he started moving again, looking around the small room, checking corners for God knew what.
“We shall need someone to watch over this, Toby, should I lease it. I want to make sure it is kept clean and stocked with food and supplies. It will also need a sturdy lock on the inside.”
“Perhaps I can help you there, Miss Braithwaite?”
Lilly turned to Mr. Snow, the owner.
“Happens my sister lives nearby. Husband's a sailor and always off at sea. She has two little ones, and could use the extra money.”
“I would be happy to meet with her,” Lilly said. She wasn't going to say yes until she had checked the woman over thoroughly. After all, others may not care for these children, but she damn well did and she would have no one abusing them.
“We should leave now, Miss Braithwaite. I hear the noise rising downstairs, which would suggest the Anchor’s patrons are well down the barrel. I have no doubt that their excitement is only going to escalate. Therefore I suggest we hasten our departure.”
“Soon, Wilson,” Lilly said, waving a hand at her footman. His face was creased with worry lines and she hated that it was she who had put them there, but before they left she needed to discuss a few things with the landlord.
“The lease will run for ten years, Mr. Snow?”
“I'd only be willing to offer you five, Miss Braithwaite,” Mr. Snow said, rocking back on his heels and rubbing his chin.
“Well, never mind then,” Lilly placed her hand on Toby's shoulder. “I'm sure there are other places nearby.”
“I know of another,” Toby winked at her.
“Excellent, well lead on then.” Lilly smiled at Mr. Snow as she drew level with him.
“Now let's not be hasty, Miss Braithwaite.”
Lilly knew what he thought, that she was a noblewoman who was following one of her pet causes that would wane in time. Someone he could fleece with an exorbitant rent. However she was nobody's fool, her grandmother had seen to that, and she knew how to get what she wanted.
“Hasty, Mr. Snow? I have told you my conditions and as they are not suitable to you, there is nothing left to be said.”
Mr. Snow scratched his sandy head for a few seconds before speaking.
“As long as nothing outside the law happens up here and my patrons are not disturbed, you have yourself an agreement, Miss Braithwaite.”
Lilly was sure that with the Anchor’s reputation it would be her children who were disturbed, yet she remained silent on that fact. “Excellent.”
They spoke briefly, and then she told Mr. Snow that her man would be in touch. Taking Toby's hand, she left the room behind Wilson. The noise level rose as they reached the street below and pushed open the door. They encountered several drunken patrons who had obviously spilled out of the Anchor and were in the midst of an argument of some sort.
“I warned you, Miss,” Wilson said softly.
“That you did, Wilson, and this, Toby, is why I am unsure about this place. Surely the children will run into trouble here,” Lilly said as they skirted the group of men.
“Compared to most places we go, this is safe, Lilly, and it’s easy to get to. Plus a quieter place would make some of the children uncomfortable. As long as the door has a strong lock, the others will come here if they need a safe place to stop.”
Lilly understood the logic behind Toby's words, even if she didn't like it.
“Are we still going to that place like you promised?”
“Yes.” Lilly shuddered. Toby had a thirst for ghoulish things, and she had promised if he accompanied her, dressed and clean, on her visit today, she would take him to the place he had heard about.
“Don't like this, it's going to blow.”
“Blow what?” Lilly questioned Toby as she followed his eyes.
The group of men seemed to have swelled to about twenty, and their argument had increased in volume.
“’Ere, lads. We have a lady present!”
Damn, one of them had seen her before she could slip by. Wilson stepped in front of her and Toby stood at his side.
“Hello, my love, care to have a drink with old Dan?”
The voice came from over Wilson's shoulder.
“I'll move these two, Dan,” another voice said, “and then you and I can have a bit of fun.”
Lilly opened her reticule and removed her pistol. Stepping around the men, she aimed.
“I have no wish to have fun, sir. I wish to leave, so I insist you step aside.”
She'd thought he would be intimidated; instead, he laughed.
“There's plenty more should I go down, lovely, and a bullet may be worth a tumble with a lady.”
He lunged at her, Lilly fired, and then hell broke loose.
“Ouch! Bloody hell, she shot me in the toe!”
Lilly watched as more men poured out of the tavern, all heading her way. She, Toby, and Wilson would be outnumbered in seconds.
“Bloody woman. Why can you not stay out of trouble!”
Lilly's head snapped right at those angry words, and there was Lord Sinclair, striding toward her like an avenging angel. She had no time to sigh at the sight he made, instead preparing for the battle that was approaching.
Hands grabbed her and she was once again pushed behind Wilson and Toby. Lord Sinclair made three.
She heard the sound of fists, and then they were moving forward. A hand grabbed her, but Lilly jammed the handle of her pistol down hard, and it released her.
“The carriage is this way!” Lilly heard Wilson yell.
“My carriage is closer. Get to yours and head home. My name is Lord Sinclair, and I will see your mistress reaches there safely.”
After these roared words, Lilly felt herself lifted and thrown over a shoulder.
“Wilson, I—”
Lilly lost the power of speech as Lord Sinclair started to run, and then he wrenched open the carriage door and she was flung onto a seat. Righting herself, she watched Toby leap in nimbly beside her, and Lord Sinclair follow, slamming the door so hard, it rocked the carriage. He then sat opposite her, and the look in his green eyes told her he was in a rage.
“What were you doing in such a place?”
He held up a hand as she opened her mouth.
“Be warned that if you say it is none of my business, I shall not be pleased. In fact, I am bloody furious! I saw you in that window and could not believe my eyes. Have you no regard for your safety at all!”
Where had he been to see her in the window? On the streets below, perhaps? Surely his eyesight must be excellent to see her from down there?
“You promised me you would not walk into danger. Promised to ask James or me to accompany
you—”
“Actually, I'm sure I didn't....” The words fell away as his eyes narrowed.
“You,” he pointed a finger at her, “are entirely too reckless.”
“James was busy,” she said, trying to glare at him, when in fact she wanted to touch his jaw, to see what it felt like clenched like that.
“I know you didn't contact him.”
“Are you calling me a liar, sir?”
“Yes.” He held her eyes, and Lilly had to fight not to look away.
“I have handled myself perfectly well for years, and have no need of a man now or ever.”
“God, you are a stubborn woman,” he growled. “For pity’s sake, I have saved you three times now. Is that not a warning to you?”
He did have a point, and perhaps if she thanked him it would go some way toward appeasing him.
“Please accept my gratitude for your actions on my behalf, Lord Sinclair.”
“Dev or Devon,” he snapped.
“Very well. Thank you, Devon.” Lilly nodded and tried to appear chastened, which she'd never really perfected.
“I cannot believe you pointed a gun at that sailor, and then shot him in the foot.” His eyes closed briefly.
“I had not intended to shoot him. He rushed at me, and I instinctively fired.”
“You should have asked me to accompany you today, Lilly.”
“I don't need your help, or anyone's for that matter.”
“Everyone needs help occasionally.”
She dismissed his words with a flick of her wrist.
“Please set us down anywhere, my lord. Toby and I can get a hackney.”
The last time they had been together, he had taken off her gloves, and she had run her hand over his face. The memory was still very clear in Lilly's mind, and making her uncomfortable in his company.