Page 50 of Seduced By a Scoundrel

Clenching his jaw, Derrek marched right up to the man as he started toward the stairs leading to one of the stately homes that bordered Park Lane and looked into Hyde Park. He blocked Conroy’s path, and when Conroy recognized that he could be under assault, he wheeled back, his eyes wide in alarm.

“Sir John Conroy?” Derrek asked, deliberately threateningly.

“Who are you and what do you want from me?” Conroy asked, glancing around as if for help.

“I am a friend of Mr. Wilkes,” Derrek said.

Conroy’s nervous glances stopped and he faced Derrek with wide, frightened eyes. He then surprised Derrek by blurting, “I had nothing to do with it. The idea was all Lord Albert’s. I told him it was not worth my time and to leave me out of it. I have had nothing at all to do with the man since, ask anyone.”

Derrek was stunned speechless for a moment. On the one hand, it was foolish for Conroy to say any of the things he had. His outburst could be seen as incriminating. On the other, Conroy had the look of a man who was being hunted. Perhaps more had come to light about his and the Duchess of Kent’s ambitions while Derrek and Jeremy had been away. Conroy might genuinely be willing to drop matters entirely, though Derrek was uncertain he could take that risk. Particularly if Lord Albert had disobeyed him and returned to London.

There were only so many things Derrek could do about the situation now, however.

He stepped closer to Conroy and growled, “If I ever see you near Mr. Wilkes or his shop, or hear that you have so much as mentioned his name, I will find you, and you will not like that.”

Conroy whimpered slightly, then dodged around Derrek and raced up to the door of the house where they stood. He knocked frantically, glancing back at Derrek as though he would have the butler of the house beat Derrek around the head and drag him off to the police.

It would have been amusing to see what happened when the police arrived and greeted him like a friend, but likewise it would have been too much trouble. The best Derrek could do was to walk on up the road to The Chameleon Club.

If he’d thought his troubles would stay behind him once he reached the club, he was wrong. He made it as far as the stairs before catching Jeremy as he descended, dressed in his coat and carrying his valise.

“And just where do you think you are going?” he asked, stopping Jeremy in his tracks.

Jeremy nearly stumbled down the last few stairs, such was his fright at being caught. Derrek noted with a twist of displeasure that Cecil was only a few steps behind Jeremy, carrying his other bag.

Jeremy recovered quickly, making it to the ground floor and putting his bag down. “I know precisely what you are going to say, Derrek, but I do not want to hear it.”

“What I am going to say is that I told you it is far too dangerous for you to leave The Chameleon Club,” Derrek said, planting his hands on his hips. “The threat against your person has not vanished.” Though even he had to admit that it seemed unlikely Conroy himself would make any efforts to hurt Jeremy again. Lord Albert could still be lurking about, however.

“I’ve no wish to stay in residence here,” Jeremy said, standing straight and tilting his chin up bravely. “I am greatly appreciative to Lord Thurleigh and the other members of The Brotherhood, those I already know and those whom I should like to know better, but I have a home, a business, and people who depend on me, and I desperately wish to return to them now.”

“Do you have something to do with this?” Derrek demanded of Cecil.

Cecil merely shrugged. “In as much as I support Mr. Wilkes’s desire to return home.” When Derrek frowned at him, he continued with, “Repairs have been made to his shop and his clientele are eager for his return. Particularly with Princess Victoria’s birthday rushing at us and very likely all the festivities surrounding a funeral and a coronation to be had soon after as well.”

“I need to work, Derrek,” Jeremy insisted. “I need to do the things I was put on this earth to do.”

The plea sounded so much like all the things Joseph had once said each of the many times Derrek had implored him not to venture out where there was crime and disease that it made Derrek dizzy for a moment. He’d been powerless to save Joseph, but he’d be damned if he was rendered powerless to keep Jeremy from harm.

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I will not allow it. You need to stay here where you are safe.”

“I am my own man, Derrek,” Jeremy all but shouted. “I am not some toy that can be taken out to the country and played with or kept in a box so that I might not be broken. I have a life, a passion for my work, and people who depend on me. I care for you, more than I’ve ever cared for anyone, and I should like to build some sort of life with you, but not if you insist on wrapping me in loving chains and keeping me locked in a box at all times. I need to live, too.”

Derrek had never seen Jeremy so passionate about anything. He was beautiful and strong, and all Derrek could think was that he was going to lose him. One way or another, he could do nothing to keep Jeremy from slipping through his fingers. He would either venture out into the dangerous world only to be defeated by it, as Joseph had been, or he would grow restless and leave.

Cecil cleared his throat, and when Derrek met his eyes, his friend wore the most pitifully sympathetic look Derrek had ever seen from him. His friend was telling him there was only one right thing to do.

With his heart pounding and his stomach twisting, Derrek pivoted and stood to the side, gesturing with one arm for Jeremy to walk past.

“Derrek,” Jeremy said with gentle appeal.

“Go on,” he said, voice hoarse. “Do not let me keep you. As you have said, you have a life to return to.”

“That does not mean I wish to leaveyou,” Jeremy said. “Not in that way.”

“Of course,” Derrek said, though he was uncertain whether he believed it. “Do not let me stop you.”

Jeremy stood there staring at him for a few seconds more, then he sighed and bent to pick up his valise. He turned to Cecil and took the bag he held as well. Then he faced Derrek once more.

---