Then Came You (The Gamblers #1)(45)

The small, bespectacled man smiled. “Only tolerable. You are a welcome sight as always, Miss Lawson. Shall I order something from the kitchen?”

“No, no,” Lily said immediately. “Monsieur Labarge will want to stuff me with all his latest puddings and pies.”

“You needs it,” Derek commented. “No bigger than a titmouse. Come ’ere.” He slid an arm around her narrow shoulders and walked her to a private corner. “You looks like ’ell,” he remarked.

“That seems to be the general opinion today,” she said dryly.

Derek’s sharp gaze detected the feverish brightness of her eyes and the pinched look about her a mouth. “What’s the matter, lovey?”

“Raiford turned out to be impossible,” Lily replied briskly. “I’m resorting to drastic measures.”

“Drastic,” he repeated, watching her closely.

“To begin with, I’ve abducted his younger brother.”

“What?” Derek followed Lily’s pointing finger until he saw the handsome blond boy waiting at the far end of the room. The lad was turning a slow circle, viewing the opulent surroundings with wide eyes. “ ’Oly ’ell,” Derek breathed in amazement.

“Holy,” Lily corrected, and looked at him with a sort of sheepish defiance. “I’m setting a trap for Raiford. Henry’s the bait.”

“Jayzus, you done it this time,” Derek marveled softly, in a tone that sent a chill down Lily’s spine.

“I want you to keep Henry for me, Derek. Just for one night.”

All the friendly concern faded from Derek’s face. He gave her a frosty stare. “I never lets chiwdren in my club,”

“Henry’s an angel. He won’t give you any trouble.”

“No.”

“At least come and meet him,” Lily pleaded.

“No!”

“Please, Derek.” She tugged at his arm. “Henry’s been so excited at the prospect of meeting you. He considers you the most important man in England, aside from the king.”

Derek’s eyes narrowed.

“Please,” she wheedled.

“Awright,” he finally said. “I says ’ello, then ’e’s off.”

“Thank you,” Lily said, bestowing several approving pats on his arm.

Muttering under his breath, Derek allowed her to pull him to the doorway, where Henry was waiting. “Mr. Craven,” Lily said, “I would like to present Henry, brother of the earl of Raiford.”

Adopting his most courteous smile, the one usually reserved for visiting royalty, Derek gave Henry an elegant bow. “Welcome to Craven’s, milord.”

“It’s even better than I imagined,” Henry exclaimed. He seized Derek’s hand and shook it vigorously. “Smashing! Capital!” He left them and searched the room like an inquisitive puppy. His small hand dipped into a bowl of cribbage-counters, then traced the elaborate backs of the Empire-style chairs. He approached the hazard table as reverently as if it were a shrine.

“Does you play?” Derek asked, vaguely amused by the boy’s enthusiasm.

“Not well. But Miss Lawson’s teaching me.” Henry shook his head in wonder. “I can’t believe I’m here. Craven’s. Damn and blast, what it must have taken to build this place!” He regarded Derek with an awestruck expression. “You’re the most amazing man I’ve ever met. Only a genius could have done this.”

“Genius,” Derek snorted. “Not by ’alf.”

“But you are,” Henry insisted. “To think of starting with nothing and going so far above your buttons…Craven’s is the most famous club in London. Hang me if you ain’t a genius! Me and the fellows at school, we all admire you more than any man alive!”

Lily thought that Henry was laying it on a bit thick.

Derek, on the other hand, was warming rapidly to the boy. He turned to Lily with a pleased expression. “Certainly no cock-brain, this one.”

“I’m just repeating what everyone says,” Henry said sincerely.

Suddenly Derek gave him a hearty clap on the back. “Bright as a new copper,” he said. “Fine boy. Come with me, you little cheeser. I ’as some comely wenches for you to meet.”

“No, Derek,” Lily warned. “No dice, drinking, or women for Henry. His brother would have my head.”

Derek looked down at Henry with a crooked grin. “What, does she think this ’ere is, a bloody nunnery?” He dragged Henry away with him, assuming a lecturing tone. “Finest girls in England I ’as. There’s no man what’s ever got crinkums or the clap from my wenches…”

Lily and Worthy exchanged rueful glances. “He likes the boy,” Worthy commented.

“Worthy, don’t let anything happen to Henry. Keep him out of sight. He can amuse himself with a deck of cards for hours at a time. Make certain he’s not corrupted or harmed in any way.”

“Certainly,” the factotum assured her. “When would you like him returned?”

“Tomorrow morning,” Lily sighed thoughtfully, her forehead puckered in a frown.

In a courtly manner Worthy crooked his elbow. “I’ll escort you to your carriage, Miss Lawson.”