by Wendy Vella
“Indeed it is. He's a good man and I shall take him there immediately after I leave here, if that is all right with you, Lord Sinclair?”
Devon looked to Lilly. “Will that suit you?”
“Yes, that will be excellent, thank you,” she said, giving Dev a small smile to acknowledge he had asked her advice instead of just confirming Mr. Brown's words.
“If I may add to what we have already discussed,” Devon said, “this note was waiting for Lilly when she reached Temple Street three days ago, when she went to see the fire.”
Silence settled heavily in the room as each man read the words.
James growled, Cam hissed. Mr. Spriggot and Mr. Brown regained their feet.
“Well then, this note would suggest we must move with some expediency. We shall say good day to you all,” Mr. Spriggot said, bowing.
Pennyroll appeared to escort the two men out.
“It's a smoky business, this abducting children and then you, Lilly,” Cam said, busy placing two small triangle sandwiches on top of each other before jamming the lot in his mouth.
“Must you continually cram food into that great cavernous hole, Cambridge?” Dev growled.
Rehashing the entire incident had unsettled him, Lilly thought, watching Dev glare at his brother.
“I'm a growing lad,” Cam said around the food, then, swallowing, he offered his brother a smile. “And as it is our uncle's food, it need not concern you how much of it I eat.”
Lilly smiled into her teacup as James joined the Sinclair brothers in their arguing. It seemed they all needed to release some tension. She wondered if her cousin realized that it was now second nature to him to get involved, when before he would have watched in bemused wonder as she did.
“Oh lord, look at the time.”
“What's the problem, Raven? It is only two in the afternoon. Did you miss your nap perhaps?” Devon taunted him.
James gave him a foul look before speaking. “No, I forgot that we,” he said, sweeping his hand around the room, “are meant to be taking the children to Mr. Rolland's Circus of Strange and Ridiculous Curiosities in precisely forty minutes.”
“I say, are we?” Cam said, leaping to his feet. “I saw the advertisement for that in the paper. It looks exciting.”
“You're twenty-eight years old, man. How can you possibly be excited about a show that features a bearded lady and a mermaid?” James looked disgusted.
“I live life to the full and embrace every new opportunity, James, so I can remain unjaded, unlike you and my brother here.”
James merely raised an eyebrow and then looked at Dev. “I would rather be classed as jaded, wouldn't you, Sinclair, than imbecilic.”
“Amen to that,” Dev vowed.
“That's very harsh criticism of Cam,” Lilly said, climbing to her feet and slipping her arm through her soon-to-be brother-in-law's. “I think your enthusiasm is wonderful.”
“Wonderful? Well, in that case, you can accompany us and be enthusiastic when the children run their sticky fingers all over you,” Dev said, pushing off the mantle to come toward her. “They will be taking some homemade sweets with them that my aunt's cook has made especially for the occasion.”
“I don't think—”
“Escape is impossible, I'm afraid,” Dev said, planting a kiss on her lips as he passed.
“But I need—”
“To gather your things, as we leave in precisely in twenty minutes,” James said, patting her head as he also headed for the door.
“Wrap up warm, Lilly, there is definitely a nip in the air,” Cam said, giving her arm a squeezed before he too left the room. She stood there for several seconds just enjoying the feeling of being wanted and loved, of having family, and then with a silly giggle she hurried from the room to find Essex. As she had nothing to wrap up warm in she would need to borrow something from her soon-to-be sister-in-law. She also would need to send her Aunt Vi and Nicholas word of where she was going.
How had she lived for so long without these people to fill her life?
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“We have sweets, Lilly.”
Dev smiled down into the eager face of his sister as she talked to the woman at his side.
“Yes, your brother told me about them, and I'm hoping you will see your way to letting me sample one as I have not eaten a lot of sweets before.”
They were standing outside the small wooden building that housed the revolving cinema, along with the rest of the people wanting to get inside out of the cold. It was a new experience for Lilly, coming here with the entire Raven/Sinclair family, but she appeared to be handling the situation well.
Wrapped up in a long emerald coat of Essie's, she looked young and beautiful, and she was his.
“They are so sweet they make your tongue curl, Mrs. Maricold says.”
“Marigold, darling,” Eden said, pulling Warwick's woolen hat down to cover his ears.
“And she says that Pennyroll has the record of eating more than ten pieces in one night.”
“Pennyroll is obviously a man of hidden talents,” Lilly said.
“Right, the doors now appear to be opening,” Dev said. “We shall proceed in an orderly manner to the front door. All children are to take the hand of an adult, please.”
“Forever hopeful, brother,” Cam said, loping up behind Dev.
Taking Lilly's hand, Dev then took a twin and they made their way toward the entrance.
The weather in London had turned the last week. A brisk wind whipped around their ankles, and he was glad they would all soon be inside the theater, as it looked as if the skies were about to open and they would be wet through in minutes.
“It's exciting, isn't it, Dev?”
“It certainly is, darling.”
Dorrie skipped and hopped beside him while Lilly walked as she did everything, now she was no longer hampered with yards of ill-fitting material: with a natural grace. Warwick, he noted, had taken her hand, which was interesting. At eight years of age, his youngest sibling was fiercely independent and did not willingly cuddle or hold hands with anyone who was not close to him. Lilly, it seemed, had found a place in his affections.
They filed through the doors and moved into the theater. It was softly lit inside, and they could see the stage, which appeared to be illuminated from beneath. There were plenty of patrons already in their places. The children whispered loudly about whatever they saw, their chatter increasing in volume with every word.
“Please come this way, your Grace.”
A man appeared and bowed deeply before James. Dev raised a brow as his nose touched his knee.
“What can I say, people want to impress me,” his brother-in-law drawled softly. “Such a shame a few of you fail to understand that with my title should come respect.”
These words produced snorts from Dev and Eden, the only ones to hear.
“My name is Mr. Rolland, and I am the proprietor of this amazing performance you are about to see.”
He wore a battered top hat and bright red jacket. His mustache was waxed to curl up on the ends and covered the upper half of his mouth.
“How does the mermaid move around London if she has no legs?”
Samantha, who was hanging on to Eden's hand, gave Mr. Rolland a searching look to accompany these words.
“She goes straight back to the sea when the show is over, my dear,” Mr. Rolland answered.
“But how does she know when to come back for the next show?”
“Someone must be able to speak mermaid,” Dorrie added, a frown creasing her forehead as she tried to work through the weighty problem of mermaid communication.
“And so it begins.” Dev sighed.
“What begins?” Lilly said, fighting her laughter.
“The questions,” Essex whispered. “It will be endless throughout the performance, and for about a week after. They are insatiable when something interests them.”
“They will dissect everything, from the mermaid's
tail to how the revolving floor moves,” Cam whispered in her ear. “Supposedly we were the same, or so our mother told us.”
“But if she has no legs then she can't walk, and I've tried getting about on my belly and it is not easy. It would surely take a day to travel here from the water,” Warwick said.
“She is collected from the sea each day,” Mr. Rolland said in a voice that was beginning to sound strained.
Dev knew the look in his eyes, like game trapped in a hunter's sights, because he'd been there a time or two himself.
“But what if her tail dries up, surely that would be dangerous,” Dorrie added. “I've heard that when a fish is left out of water it dies. Why doesn't that happen to the mermaid?”
“Can I urge you to take your places along with the other spectators, as the show is about to begin!” Mr. Rolland sounded desperate now.
“I've thought about hiring them out to the Foreign Office to interrogate enemy spies.”
Lilly laughed as Dev had intended her to.
“I think they are sweet and show an intelligence that seems to be lacking in their elder siblings.”
“You will pay for that comment later, my love. However, now we must gird our loins for the delights of Mr. Rolland's Circus of Strange and Ridiculous Curiosities.”
They walked down several steps and onto the floor along with the other patrons. Divided into two parts, the audience was to stand on the outer rim, which formed a circle around a raised platform that Dev guessed the actors would perform on.
“Move for the Duke of Raven and his party, if you please!”
James groaned as several other patrons were shuffled back to allow them to the front of a row.
“No, really, there is no need—”
“Only royalty is higher than you, your Grace. I will not have anyone saying Mr. Rolland’s Circus of Strange and Ridiculous Curiosities does not look after its distinguished guests.”
“One word, Sinclair.”
Dev raised his hands as James glared at him. They shuffled to the front, adults at the back and children placed securely before them.
“No one moves or touches anything, is that understood?”
“Yes, Dev,” his siblings said.
“That goes for you too, Samantha,” James added.
“Oooh, it's starting!” Somer squealed as Mr. Rolland appeared suddenly above them on a raised platform.
“Please brace yourselves, as the platform you are currently standing upon is about to start moving!”
“Dev, we’re moving!”
“I can feel that, Warwick.”
“Prepare to be dazzled by the delights of Mr. Rolland's performers!” Mr. Rolland said as slowly the lights went out around them, with only the raised platform still lit. Dev watched as Mr. Rolland was lowered and then a large woman slowly appeared above them, rising out of the mists that now floated around her.
“I am the bearded woman from Venezuela!”
“More like Putney,” Dev muttered.
Lilly saw the show for what it was, a group of people that were very clever at the art of disguise, and she loved every ridiculous minute of it. She loved watching the children laugh and squeal with delight, and she loved that she wasn't afraid of the dark because Dev had his hand on her waist, reassuring her that he was close. But most of all she loved being there with all of them, part of these wonderful families.
“I believe you're enjoying yourself, Miss Braithwaite.”
“I admit I am. It is a novelty for me, and seeing it through the eyes of the children makes it all the more fun.” Turning her head slightly, she brushed his lips with her own. “But most of all I'm so happy to be here with you and the families.” His green eyes seemed to glow at her. He didn't speak, just smiled and returned the kiss.
“I will not spoil it for you then, and tell you what I can see.”
“Is that hard? Seeing everything that others cannot?”
“Sometimes, but I'm used to it now. Besides, I get to see those dimples of yours when you smile, no matter how far away from me you are.”
“I must remember you see everything,” Lilly muttered. “I will be able to hide nothing from you.”
She saw the flash of his white teeth and then felt his hand stroke her bottom.
“It's the mermaid, Lilly!”
“I can see that, Dorrie, and she is very beautiful, don't you think, especially her blue tail.”
“It sparkles,” Samantha gasped, clutching her hands to her chest as the mermaid reached the top of the platform, where she proceeded to splash around in a small pool of water.
“She is a very talented mermaid. In fact, I think I may have heard her sing one night while I swam off the cliffs of my home,” James said.
“Was that her, do you think?” Cam said, appearing to ponder James's words. “I have heard the singing, but was unsure of its source.”
The children were nodding in agreement, stating they too had heard the singing and vowed that it was indeed this mermaid and her family.
“Ooh, do you think she lives near Oak’s Knoll, Dev?”
“Mermaids are a bit like migratory birds, I believe, Dorrie. They move around to the warmest climates as the seasons change.”
Warwick nodded. “That makes sense. I wouldn't want to freeze my—”
“Thank you, Warwick,” Devon said quickly. “I believe we understand your meaning.”
“You have tears running down your cheeks, Lilly. Is it because the mermaid is so beautiful?”
Nodding at Dorrie, Lilly bit her lip. She had never laughed so much in her life.
“I hear fire,” Eden said softly.
“I smell smoke.” Cam spoke at the same time as his sister.
“How far away?” Devon asked.
“Just starting, but we need to move now,” Eden replied.
James ducked under the barrier and then climbed up on the stage beside the mermaid as quickly as he could.
“There is a fire, we all need to leave the building. Please move calmly to the entrance at once.”
Lilly looked at the entrance. It was some distance away, but she could as yet not see the fire or smell smoke. The building was made of wood, and would ignite in minutes, but with Eden and Cam's warning, they would surely get out before the fire took hold.
“James, look up!”
Eden's scream made them glance skyward, in time to see a lit torch come hurtling toward the Duke.
“Jump!” Dev roared.
Lilly watched the Duke fly through the air to land at his wife's feet. Devon and Cam grabbed an arm each and steadied him.
“Now run!” Devon roared, picking up both twins. “Cam, take Warwick,” he added as James picked up Samantha. “Eden, Essie, and Lilly, take hold of a jacket and don't let go. We form a chain and it will not be broken till we get outside. The smoke will soon make it hard to see!”
“I have your shirt, Dev!”
Acknowledging Lilly's words with a nod, he wrapped his arms around his sisters and started for the doors with the other patrons. Around them people were running and screaming. Children had begun to cry.
“I have you safe, darlings, just hold on a little longer.”
Lilly listened as he talked to the twins and focused on his voice. Terror built inside her with each step they took. A hand gripped her coat from behind, and she hoped the others were close, and prayed everyone made it out safe.
“Talk to me, Lilly. Reassure me you are there!”
He followed those words with a cough, and she knew he would take in more lungfuls than them, because he was talking.
“I'm here, Devon. Don't talk, just move!” She patted his back, and whatever leg, arm, or shoulder she could reach of the twins.
“Left, Sinclair!” That was James's voice, and Lilly felt a rush of relief at the sound.
The smoke was making it hard to see. The fire had sprung to life as yet another torch was thrown. Placing a hand over her mouth, she let go of Devon briefly.
�
��Lilly!”
“I'm here, just covering my nose and mouth.”
“Get in front of me!”
“You go first and I shall be right behind you,” Lilly shouted to be heard above the noise.
“Don't let me go, Lilly!” Devon roared before making another surge for the door.
People tried to push past them and over them, but they kept hold of each other, be it a hand or a piece of clothing. No one broke the link. The smoke was thick now, but Lilly did not look behind her.
“We are at the door, love, just a few minutes more and we will be outside!”
She heard Devon's words and felt the surge of people propel them forward, but she lost her footing and her hold on Devon's jacket.
“Lilly!”
She heard his cry, but could do nothing to stop herself from falling.
Rushing through the door, Dev placed the twins on the floor. “Wait over there for everyone,” he told his little sisters as he pointed to a spot nearby, yet far enough to keep them safe from the fire.
“Yes, Dev,” they said, eyes wide with fear. He watched them run and then he turned to head back inside to get the others and Lilly.
Nudging people aside, he noted James, Eden, and Essie two feet from the door. Samantha was coughing in her brother's arms. Grabbing his sisters, he pulled them through and James followed in their wake. “I have Lilly!” Cam said, coming through seconds later with Warwick hanging around his neck like a monkey and Lilly clutching one hand, while Emily held the other.
Lilly lunged at him, and he lifted her off her feet and into his arms, and ran down the stairs, following the rest of his family.
“I was so scared for the children!” Eden cried.
“I know, love, but everyone is safe now,” James panted, bracing his hands on his knees.
Dev lowered Lilly to the ground as Cam put Warwick on his feet. The little boy was crying, and Lilly quickly gathered him close. Dev hugged his sisters and slapped James on the back before he went to get the twins. But they were not where he had left them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“I told them to wait there.” Lilly watched Devon point to a spot not far from where they all stood.
