Page 19 of Seduced by a Scoundrel (Tales from the Brotherhood #1)
Nineteen
A fter days of sulking around The Chameleon Club, sifting through the tattered remains of the life he’d worked so hard to build for himself, Derrek had finally come to the conclusion that the only way he would truly be happy was with Jeremy by his side. Not only that, after having his dove absent from his days for just a short time, he had seen the truth that Jeremy truly was his own man with his own accomplishments and needed to remain in that freedom. Like every delicate bird, if Derrek kept him in a cage, he would spoil the very thing that made his beloved dove so perfect.
Cecil and Austen had had something to do with his awakening to those thoughts, of course. They had harangued him constantly from the moment he’d gathered all of his belongings from his rented rooms, which had already been packed up and nearly tossed out when his landlord had let the rooms to someone else a month before, assuming Derrek would not return, and to move into The Chameleon Club.
“You cannot live without him,” Cecil had concluded after a debate that lasted late into the night the night before. “There is nothing for it now but to go to Wilkes and grovel.”
His friend had been right, and as soon as Derrek had awakened and gathered his nerve, he’d headed straight to Jermyn Street to do what needed to be done.
He’d been surprised to find Miss Jones there, although by the look of things, Jeremy’s friend had only just arrived herself. Derrek took that as a good omen, however. Jeremy was in lightened spirits, and Miss Jones could both hold him accountable and, hopefully, encourage Jeremy to forgive him for his stubbornness.
That was precisely the direction things had been heading in. Derrek’s heart had warmed and lightened. Even with Miss Jones in the room, he was on the verge of confessing the depths of his love for Jeremy and taking his dove into his arms for a kiss that would scandalize even the unshakeable Miss Jones.
And then Conroy arrived.
“Where is the man?” he asked in a low growl, frightening the young man who worked for Jeremy.
“He’s…he’s downstairs,” the lad answered, cowering a little and glancing from Derrek to Jeremy. “He says that he’s here to collect the suit you measured him for.”
Jeremy gaped at the lad, then shook his head. “The suit I measured him for?” he asked incredulously. “I was barely given the chance to measure him at all.”
“He’s lying then, as usual,” Derrek said, clenching his hands into fists at his sides. “He wants something else from you.”
“But what?” Jeremy shrugged and shook his head.
“There’s only one way to find out,” Miss Jones said, looking as though she would protect Jeremy as fiercely as Derrek intended to.
The three of them exchanged looks, then Jeremy blew out a breath and started forward.
They all descended the stairs into the workshop, Jeremy in the lead, then as they crossed to the front of the shop, Derrek shifted their places, stepping in front of Jeremy and into the front of the shop ahead of the others.
Conroy was waiting near a display of fashion plates and sketches for the latest styles coming out of the Continent. His shoulders were bunched and he had not yet removed his coat, but he did not look like a man who was anticipating an ambush.
That changed moments later, when he turned, casually at first, then gasped and jumped as if he would leave his skin and tumbled backward.
“You!” he managed to get out the single, hoarse word.
“Yes, me,” Derrek said, coming to stand halfway into the room, his arms crossed, glowering at the man. Jeremy stepped up behind him, and Miss Jones shifted so she could see Conroy around Derrek’s other side.
“Wh-what are you doing here?” Conroy asked. “I’ve come to see Mr. Wilkes about the suit of clothing I had commissioned from him.”
“Is that truly why you have come?” Derrek asked.
Jeremy appeared to recover enough from his initial shock at the situation to take a step in front of Derrek, facing Conroy directly. “I had only begun to take your measurements before we were interrupted ,” he said. “I did not discuss designs or styles with you. I barely spoke to you. And after I overheard you and your co-conspirator, you attempted to have me killed. More than once.”
“I have no idea what you are on about,” Conroy said, shifting and twitching like a man who knew everyone was aware of his lies. “We were interrupted by a…a business matter.”
“You were meeting with Lord Albert Howard about poisoning the king,” Jeremy said, raising his voice slightly.
“Nonsense,” Conroy snapped, looking quickly at Miss Jones and the lads who worked for Jeremy, who had slipped into the doorway separating the front of the shop from the workshop so that they might witness whatever was about to take place. “I would never even think to raise a finger in harm against our king.”
“Lord Albert mentioned poison,” Jeremy said flatly. “Poison which may very well have ended up in coffee that Detective Talboys and I nearly drank the day after our meeting.”
“Coincidence,” Conroy said, making a jerky gesture as if to brush the entire thing away.
“It was not coincidence,” Derrek said, narrowing his eyes at the man. “Lord Albert confessed to being your accomplice.”
“Lies,” Conroy laughed nervously. “I am not even certain who this Lord Albert you speak about is. I would never do anything to harm our king or the princess.”
“So you’re plotting against Princess Victoria now, are you?” Miss Jones asked, dripping with indignation.
“I did not say—” Conroy huffed in frustration. “I am a friend and secretary to the Duchess of Kent. She and I both have nothing but Victoria’s best interests at heart. The Duchess has gone to great lengths in the last few years to ensure that the princess is cared for and safe at all times. I would never seek to harm her.”
“Of course not,” Derrek said. “For to harm her would mean removing your pawn from the board in your attempt to supplant the rightful ruler of this great kingdom with a regency you control.”
“I would never—” Conroy’s indignation seemed to reach a boiling point. He huffed out a breath, then pinched the bridge of his nose as though he were the one who had suffered for too long.
He paused for a moment, then dropped his arms and shoulders to appeal to Jeremy directly. “I am well aware of the rumors that now circulate London about my intention to rule England as a proxy of the Duchess via a regency, should William die before Victoria reaches maturity. Such rumors have plagued me with increasing intensity for weeks and months. They have made it nearly impossible for me to conduct my life and protect my family. Surely, Detective Talboys, you understand the urge to protect one’s family.”
Derrek tightened his stance and narrowed his eyes at Conroy. He was not entirely certain what the man was implying, but he recognized defeat when he saw it.
“Please,” Conroy said. “The princess’s birthday is in a matter of days. While ill, the king is not on death’s door quite yet. Whatever game you believe me to be playing and whatever plots you think I am guilty of, the game is all but over. I have lost.”
“How do we know that you will not continue to pursue Mr. Wilkes with the intent of silencing whatever else he might say against you?” Derrek asked.
Conroy gave a hopeless shrug. “What purpose would that serve? Mr. Wilkes is not the only one spreading these rumors and lies.”
“I never?—”
Derrek held up a hand to silence Jeremy, sensing that Conroy truly was defeated. The quicker the man could say his piece and be gone, the sooner they would be able to move on with their lives. And Derrek was deeply ready to move on.
“I will not bother you any further, Mr. Wilkes,” Conroy said, more defeated than ever. “That is what I came here to tell you. I know you have no commissions for me. I wanted you to know that I want nothing to do with you from this point forward and that I should like for you not to mention my name at all to your clientele going forward.”
“That’s rich, after everything you put him through,” Miss Jones jumped to defend Jeremy.
“What about Lord Albert?” Jeremy asked, his body tense but his expression growing more relieved by the moment. “Will you tell him to keep his distance as well?”
“As I have told you,” Conroy said with pretend impatience, “I do not know the man.” He paused, then continued with, “But I have heard rumors through mutual associates that he was seen boarding a boat in Dover to return him to the Continent.”
Derrek managed a short grin at that news. He was inclined to believe that Lord Albert had buggered off, since he’d warned the man to go back to his father personally.
“Can I have your reassurance that this matter will be taken no farther?” Conroy asked, appealing first to Jeremy, then looking at Derrek directly.
Derrek knew when a man was begging him to leave him alone when he saw it.
“I think, Sir John,” Jeremy said carefully, “that I require the same assurances from you. Can I have your reassurance that my life is no longer in danger because of things I have accidentally heard?”
Conroy shifted and swayed, his jaw clenched, like he wanted to force Jeremy to admit he had nothing to do with it. He was savvy enough to know when he was beaten, though. He let out a breath, sagged, and said, “You have my reassurance.”
“And you have mine,” Jeremy said with a nod.
Derrek took a step toward Conroy. “If you ever show your face anywhere near Mr. Wilkes or his friends again, I cannot guarantee you will not meet with an accident. Now go.”
Conroy shivered, perhaps in indignation, perhaps in fear, then turned without saying another word, snatched his hat up from the counter where he’d left it and marched swiftly out of the shop.
Derrek glared after him for a moment, but as soon as Conroy was no longer visible through the shop window, he let out his breath and burst into a smile. He turned back to Jeremy and Miss Jones and said, “Well, that appears to be the end of that.”
The mood in the shop changed in an instant. Every bit of tension that had been there melted away, and the walls themselves seemed to sing in relief.
“Goodness!” Miss Jones exclaimed. “I have not been in London for more than a handful of hours and already I have been a part of a deadly drama. I think this town will suit me just fine.”
Jeremy laughed. The sound was pure relief. He went so far as to close the distance between himself and Miss Jones so that he could throw his arms around her in a friendly embrace.
Derrek attempted not to be jealous.
“I cannot believe that is truly the end of the threat,” Jeremy said, his entire countenance changed to one of joy. “I genuinely believe Conroy will not pursue me. It is like I can breathe again for the first time in months.”
“I am glad,” Derrek said, leaning his hip against one of the counters. It surprised him how much the situation had exhausted him.
“We should celebrate,” Miss Jones said, clapping her hands together. “All of us and the lads, too.” She turned to the workroom doorway, where Jeremy’s assistants all stood with smiles as if they’d just witnessed a stage drama and believed they should be applauding. “How does one celebrate in London?”
“We could go to the pub?” the lad Artie suggested. “Or to a public dance hall?”
“We could have a feast,” the handsome one, Jonty, suggested. “My mother could cook for us and bring everything here.”
“Before we celebrate,” Jeremy said, laughing once more, “there are a few things that need settling.” He glanced directly at Derrek with fire and affection in his eyes. Instead of making any sort of declaration of love or suggestions about other ways just the two of them could celebrate, he turned to Miss Jones and said, “Have you settled on accommodations while you are in London?”
“Er, no,” Miss Jones said, her cheeks turning an amusing shade of pink. “I thought perhaps you might have a spare room?” Her expression turned hopeful.
“I might,” Jeremy said. “Though that would require two of the boys rooming together and one of them giving up their patch to you.”
“I don’t mind,” Timothy said. “I would be happy to have Miss Jones take my room. I can bunk with Jonty.” He sent Jonty a look that was a bit too sweet and that made Derrek wonder if more mischief was happening under Jeremy’s roof than his dove knew about.
Then again, if he proceeded with the plans he had, even more wickedness would take place on the premises, on a nightly basis, if he had his way.
“If you are giving out rooms,” Derrek said, pushing away from the counter to join the rest of the discussion, “you may as well give one to me.”
“To you?” Jeremy asked, turning to him with starlight in his eyes. “Do you not have rooms of your own?”
Derrek shrugged one shoulder. “Like Anderson, my landlord did not take kindly to me abandoning my post for two months without sufficient notice. When I returned there the other day, he had given my rooms to someone else and was about to throw all my things out.”
“You saved them, though, I hope,” Jeremy said, kindness and caring in his expression.
“I did,” Derrek nodded. “Everything I own is currently at The Chameleon Club.”
“Then you must bring it here at once,” Jeremy said, smiling. His look turned cheeky as he mimicked Timothy to say, “I wouldn’t mind bunking with you.”
Derrek laughed and stepped closer still to Jeremy. He went as far as grasping his dove’s face in both hands and almost leaned in to kiss him before Miss Jones cleared her throat and nodded to the large windows fronting the shop and the pair of young gentlemen who were looking in at the drawings and haberdashery samples on display.
At that, Derrek stepped back and said, “We should make a move to get everyone settled.”
That was all that was needed to set things in motion. Leaving Artie to tend the shop in case the gentlemen outside came in, the rest of them headed upstairs to begin shifting around belongings and furniture so that everyone would have their place.
It was a surprisingly pleasant afternoon, despite the strain of moving bedframes and mattresses between rooms and from one floor to another. The lads were content to take the upper floor, and Miss Jones was beyond delighted with the room on the first floor that looked out over the street. Derrek was delighted that enough space separated them all that he and Jeremy would not be overheard, should they choose to enjoy in certain loud activities.
“It is not our cottage in the woods,” Jeremy said as he undressed for bed that night, once everything had finally settled and the lads had all gone out to the pub, taking Miss Jones with them to show her what London at night was like. “But I think it will do.”
“It will do nicely,” Derrek said, pulling his shirt off over his head and laying it over the chair in the corner of Jeremy’s room.
He had whispered to Jeremy that they should stay home instead of going out with the others on purpose. He had plans for his dove, things that had been left undone between them. By the coquettish look Jeremy sent him as he turned down the bedcovers then sat to remove his shoes and stockings, he knew what those things were.
“I cannot tell you how relieved I am that everything came out right in the end,” Jeremy said as he folded his stockings and set them aside. “I will confess that for a few days, I’d no idea whether we had reached the end or if we were just at the beginning.”
“That is partially my fault,” Derrek said, setting aside his desire for a moment to sit, shirtless and stockingless, on the bed with Jeremy. “I am sorry that I was overprotective of you and that I underestimated your strength.”
Jeremy smiled bashfully at him. “I gave you no reason to think I was capable of standing up for myself,” he said. “I allowed you to take me off to the countryside, then I fell too easily into a passive role. How could you think anything but that I was weak and needed looking after, like a child.”
“You do not,” Derrek said, combing his fingers through Jeremy’s silken hair. “And you are one of the strongest men I’ve ever met.”
“Me? No!” Jeremy laughed.
“You have the courage to be who you are, which is far more than most men can say, and I love you for it.”
Derrek had not expected those words to be spoken just then or in that manner. He’d planned to wait until they were in the throes of passion before confessing his heart to his beloved. But being caught unawares felt right and made the words somehow more genuine.
“Oh, Derrek,” Jeremy said softly, lifting a hand to cradle the side of Derrek’s face. “I love you, too. I’ve wanted to say that for quite some time now, and I?—”
Derrek silenced whatever else Jeremy had to say with a kiss. There were some things that words simply couldn’t convey, and love was one of them.
Their kiss quickly turned heated. Derrek shifted so that he could pull Jeremy more comfortably into his arms and deepened the kiss, exploring Jeremy’s mouth with his tongue.
Jeremy sighed and moaned, spreading his hands across Derrek’s chest before raising them so that he could thread his fingers through Derrek’s hair. He was as open and needy as Derrek had ever known him to be, and within seconds, the two of them shifted until they were horizontal.
“I want you,” Jeremy whispered, sweeping his hands over Derrek’s body and pressing his hips up so that Derrek could see just how ready he was. “We should have been together like this a long time ago.”
“Agreed,” Derrek said before dipping down to kiss him again.
He tugged at Jeremy’s clothes as they kissed, managing to pull his shirt from his breeches. It took a bit of stretching and clumsiness, but they were able to tug and stretch and bend so that they could undress entirely, discarding their clothing wherever it might land.
It felt wonderful to feel Jeremy skin-to-skin, to taste the salt of his body and feel the heat of his cock as they rubbed together. Derrek had always fancied himself an excellent lover, but he could already feel the pulsing need of desire sending him straight to the edge as he kissed his way down Jeremy’s neck and shoulder to tease his chest and nipples. The gasps and sounds Jeremy made as Derrek loved him were intoxicating, and if he wasn’t careful, the whole thing would be over before it began.
“More,” Jeremy panted, wriggling under Derrek and spreading his legs to underscore what he wanted. “More. I want to feel you in me.”
Derrek growled, rubbing his face against Jeremy’s stomach, where he’d been slipping ever lower toward what he wanted. He changed his mind about treating Jeremy to his mouth and raised himself up, stroking his dove’s cock with his hand instead.
“Anything you want, dove,” he said before kissing Jeremy once more.
The kiss was blinding, and for a moment Derrek forgot his ultimate goal. He remembered when a pulse of pleasure as Jeremy grasped a hand around his balls nearly had him coming. If he wanted to enjoy their mating, he needed to get on with it.
He made a hungry sound as he reached for the small jar on the bedside table that he’d noticed Jeremy discreetly place there earlier. His hands shook just a bit as he pulled out the cork, then took enough of the substance to coat himself and to use on Jeremy’s hole. The slight crudeness, which was in such contrast to Jeremy’s usual character, as his dove grasped his legs under his knees and pulled himself up and out so that what Derrek wanted gaped for him only spurred Derrek on.
Jeremy was tight, but he made feral sounds of enjoyment as Derrek worked to loosen him. Derrek took extra care to stretch him as much as he could, but when the moment came and he could not hold back for another second, his lover was still tight as he pushed inside.
“Don’t stop,” Jeremy panted through the wince that pinched his face as Derrek pushed and thrust as gently as he could.
Once he was past the initial resistance, everything changed. Jeremy cried out in pleasure and his body relaxed slightly as Derrek increased the pace of his thrusts. The two of them were together, melded as one, forever a part of each other. Their physical joining was only a symbol of everything Derrek felt for the clever and beautiful man beneath him.
“I love you,” he panted as his orgasm rushed at him. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too—oh!” Jeremy let out a cry, and as he’d been stroking himself while Derrek thrust in him, he spilled himself in spectacular style over his belly.
That was all it took for Derrek to tip over the edge as well. A burst of possessive pride swelled in him as he spent himself within Jeremy. It was a perfect moment, the two of them finding bliss together.
“Beautiful,” Derrek managed to pant as he pulled out and flopped to Jeremy’s side. He pulled his beloved into his arms, kissing him until the two of them were too exhausted to stay awake. It did not matter what sort of threat they faced now, they would face it together.