“So, this something else that happened on the trip. Was it dangerous?”
His brothers were still staring at him. Cam had asked the question.
“I said I would tell you soon.” Warwick refused to allow himself to return his eyes to Samantha no matter how much he wanted to.
He shouldn’t have kissed her. But the lure of her lips had taunted him, that and the need to get closer to her. It had been growing inside him since he’d seen her again. Warwick was sure it was simply because of what they’d experienced. Finding her as he had unsettled him. Soon their relationship would return to where they’d been before she left.
“Lo, Uncle Warwick.”
“Hello, Katherine.” He bent to pick up the little girl. “And shouldn’t you be able to say hello by now?”
She was the exact replica of her fiery mother, Eden, and kept her elder siblings and father on their toes. James said she was his punishment for all the things he’d done wrong in his life thus far.
“Did you miss me?” He planted a loud kiss on her cheek, making her giggle.
“Did you bring me a gift?”
“So you’ll only miss me if I have brought you a gift home?”
“And I repeat that she is her mother’s daughter,” Dev said. “No kisses for your other uncles, brat?”
Cam dug his fingers into her side, making her squirm.
“I love you all best,” she said with a sweet smile.
“And just like that we melted,” Cam sighed. “The young men of London should all run for cover now, before she and the others are unleashed upon society.”
Warwick lowered the wriggling child to her feet, and she ran off to where her cousins were gathered, making a lot of noise. He then watched his eldest sister enter the room. Her eyes searched family members and found him with Dev and Cam.
“You are about to be fussed over,” Dev said as Essie walked toward him.
“As the youngest of seven, I have spent my life being fussed over and controlled,” Warwick said.
“It’s called molding you into the man you are today,” Dev drawled.
“Is that what we are calling it?” Cam asked.
“My little brother is home.” Essie reached him. She cupped Warwick’s face, studying him.
The gentlest of the Sinclair clan was Essex. She had a calming way about her and an ability to heal that was heightened by her gifts.
“How is Penny?” Warwick asked her.
“Resting, the doctor appears to have set the break in her arm well, so that is something at least. She is exhausted from the trip and in need of lots of sleep. I have a tonic for her.”
“You should check Samantha over too, Ess. She was ill. Sore throat, and coughing. Chills. I gave her the herbs you sent with me and kept her warm, but I still think you should look her over.”
“Well done, little brother. You are such a good boy for taking care of her.”
“We’ve taught him well,” Dev said.
“He’s very likely the best of us considering all the work we’ve put into him,” Cam added.
Warwick rolled his eyes. They were always teasing and annoying each other.
“And you can tell me later what has happened to put those shadows in your eyes.” With a kiss on his cheek, Essie walked away.
“So, you felt something was off a few days ago?” he asked Cam and Dev when she’d gone.
