The Actor and the Earl

by Rebecca Cohen

  Sebastian pushed away. “No, you’d need to save your own head. And if we are ever caught in the act, you could claim that the plainness of your wife had doused your ardor and we had not shared the marital bed.”

  “I could not do that.”

  Sebastian looked up at Anthony and cupped his cheek. “As long as we are careful, then there should be no need. But in the rose garden…. I cannot, and will not, take that chance.”

  Anthony’s kiss was insistent and demanding, his hand clutching at the ties of Sebastian’s bodice. For a moment Sebastian allowed it, but he pulled back. There was something else he needed to be sure of before he let this go. “I need to know if it is me that you want, Sebastian, and not Bronwyn, not the dress.”

  “When I see you, I do not see your sister, I do not see the dress as anything more than a pretty costume. I do not care what you are wearing.” Anthony pulled the wig from Sebastian’s head and threw it to the floor. With his hands, he wiped away the last smears of rouge. “I only want you.”

  Sebastian slumped into Anthony’s arms, not able to hold back the choked sob of relief, the built-up tension of the last few days leaving him bone tired. “Let me get you to bed,” whispered Anthony. “Tonight you will sleep in my embrace, and in the morning, I will more than make up for this.”

  Sebastian nodded and let Anthony gently strip him, removing his clothes piece by piece. He let Anthony lead him to the bed and pull him under the covers before being encased in his warm arms. Finally, he drifted to sleep with Anthony’s soft breaths across his skin.

  Chapter 8

  LYING on his side, Sebastian’s hips canted to meet each stroke of his cock. Anthony’s wakeup call was the perfect way to greet the morning. He whined as the delicious friction was removed, but moaned his relief as instead the fingers slipped between his buttocks and worked him open. There was a dark chuckle from behind him as Sebastian relaxed to welcome Anthony inside of him. Filled by Anthony, and with the hand back stroking his cock, Sebastian didn’t know whether to bear down or push up. He gasped in delight, his body humming at being so expertly played. Anthony sped up, thrusting deeper, and Sebastian could barely breathe, so close to his release. The intensity built, and Sebastian could hold back no longer. Anthony growled as he reached his peak, Sebastian following barely seconds later. They lay still for a moment, until Anthony withdrew, leaving a soft kiss to the back of Sebastian’s neck.

  “Good morning,” said Anthony.

  Sebastian looked over his shoulder to see his lover’s flushed cheeks and self-satisfied smirk. “Oh, most definitely a good start to the day.”

  He rolled over and laid his head on Anthony’s chest. “At some point, I will need to call Miriam to help me dress. I am a slave to my wardrobe.”

  Anthony’s fingers lazily carded through Sebastian’s hair. “I’ve been thinking about giving you the opportunity to be yourself. William will need a tutor.”

  “William?”

  “My son. I’ve been meaning to introduce him to Bronwyn, but the last few days I have been….”

  “Sulking?” suggested Sebastian.

  “Perhaps it could be construed as such.”

  Sebastian laughed. “So this son of yours?”

  “William is nearly three, and he can be difficult with new people—even his nurse has trouble some days. But he is reaching an age where he will need a tutor or two, and Sebastian could easily be one of them, at least to the outside world.”

  “I think it could work. Children generally like me, and it would give me a purpose here, apart from masquerading as my sister. But maybe I should meet him first.”

  Anthony kissed the top of Sebastian’s head. “Very well, after breakfast I will introduce the future Earl Crofton to his stepmother.”

  With the exception of Anne, the guests from the night before were seated for breakfast when Sebastian and Anthony arrived. The conversation turned to the day’s events, and Anthony happily described how the bowls lawn was ready for their tournament and that he hoped they’d all be willing to enjoy a game of hide and seek in the maze. Elaine laughed and called him a silly boy.

  “Too true, my lady. But I somehow thought that you might not be up to hunting.”

  Elaine rubbed her stomach and smiled. “If you want to play in the gardens, you do not need to use a pregnant woman as an excuse. I am sure we will all appease your strange ways.”

  “Anthony has more strange ways than playing hide and seek,” said Eleanor with a knowing smirk.

  A part of Sebastian had wanted to say something, but a bigger part wanted to see Anthony’s reaction.

  “Apart from my desire to drink far too much wine, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” said Anthony,

  “Perhaps you need me to aid your memory.”

  Sebastian suspected that Eleanor thought her smile was playful, but it looked more predatory from where he was sitting. Anthony’s gaze darted to Sebastian, and he took a swig of beer before replying. “My memory is fine as it is.”

  “If you are finished, Anthony,” said Sebastian, standing, “I would very much like to take you up on your offer of meeting William.”

  “Of course.” Anthony turned to his guests. “We will meet at ten on the lawn… be ready to play your best game!”

  Sebastian took Anthony’s arm, and he saw Eleanor scowl as they left. “Do I want to know what went on between you?”

  “Nothing more than a mutually enjoyable way of passing the time.”

  They headed upstairs and into the east wing. Sebastian’s stomach knotted painfully at the thought of the two of them together. “Are you still intending to ‘pass the time’ with her?”

  Anthony’s brow creased, and even though they had come to an agreement the night before, Sebastian wasn’t sure whether he had the right to ask. “I suppose that would depend on what you are expecting of me.”

  “What right do I have to expect anything?”

  Anthony stopped and turned to face Sebastian. “You have every right. Tell me, what is it that you wish?”

  “I would ask for your fidelity, but if that is not possible, then I ask for you to be discreet.”

  Anthony’s kiss was unexpected and sweeter than anything they had shared before. “It is no hardship to keep my vows when you are the one I have made them to.”

  “Thank you.” Sebastian could feel the blush as it spread across his cheeks.

  “The pleasure is all mine, believe me.” Anthony kissed him again. “Now come, let us meet the only other man in this household I would be willing to let you spend time with alone.”

  William’s playroom would have been the envy of any child. A host of dolls sat in one corner, surrounded by an army of toy soldiers, and there was a hobbyhorse leaning up against a tallboy. Sebastian suspected it would not be used for a few years to come, given the size of the small boy who was peering out nervously from behind the legs of his nurse.

  Even with the restriction of his corset and the whalebone in his farthingale, Sebastian managed to crouch down so he was at eye level with the little boy, who disappeared behind his nurse. “Hello, William,” said Sebastian.

  William’s blond hair reappeared, and he gazed at Sebastian with wide baby-blue eyes. His nurse muttered an apology, which Sebastian waved away, and she shooed William out from behind her skirts. He looked up at her uncertainly, and she stroked his hair.

  “Hello,” he said.

  Anthony crouched down as well, and William toddled toward him clutching a rag doll. “Don’t let the outside of an angel fool you. He can be a little devil when he wants.”

  “I thought that was what little boys did best.”

  Although Sebastian wasn’t sure William was old enough to understand everything they were saying, the expression William pulled gave the impression that he did, and he gave a disgruntled pout that reminded Sebastian of Anthony.

  “My name is Bronwyn. I’m hoping you might want to be my friend.”

  William looked to his father fo
r reassurance, and when Anthony nodded, he held out the doll for Sebastian. “Thank you,” Sebastian said, taking it. “Does he have a name?”

  “Dolly.”

  William scuttled away, looking for something in the corner of the room. The nurse excused herself with a curtsey, and Sebastian, his knees beginning to ache, stood up. William rushed back with a wooden soldier which he also handed to Sebastian, and waited expectantly.

  “I think he likes you,” said Anthony, sounding pleased. “He’s not normally one to share his toys.”

  Sebastian thanked William and gave him back the doll and the soldier. “Both very fine toys. Maybe next time I can tell you a story?”

  William’s enthusiastic nodding was accompanied by Anthony’s amused snort. “You’ve a way with Crofton men, Bronwyn. It seems we are all putty in your hands.”

  Noticing the nursing chair, Sebastian sat down, William taking his action as an invitation. Ignoring Anthony’s warning to be careful, he clambered onto Sebastian’s lap. Sebastian put a protective arm around William to make sure he wouldn’t fall, and William cuddled closer.

  “This was also my nursery,” said Anthony, picking up a soldier and turning it over in his hand. “My mother used to sit in that very chair and tell me stories.”

  “I don’t remember my mother. Bronwyn claims she does, but I think she only says that to taunt me.”

  “What happened?”

  “I don’t need to tell you that childbirth can be dangerous—twins doubly so. From the little my father said, she never really recovered, and passed away before I was two.”

  “It must have been difficult. I mean, I had a nurse, but my mother always came to kiss me good night, and even my father was known to engage in a fierce battle with my soldiers from time to time.”

  Sebastian laughed. “Sounds idyllic. I was mainly in the care of a nurse, and when I got older, a tutor. My father was away more often than he was at home. And when he died….”

  Anthony squeezed Sebastian’s shoulder. “Is that why you moved to the family house in London?”

  Sebastian wasn’t used to talking about such things, but instead of the usual desire to deflect the conversation, he wanted to speak to Anthony. “Yes. But it’s not Hewel property. My father’s debt meant our home in Portsmouth was sold, and we were sent to my mother’s brother—Claire’s father.”

  “I didn’t realize.”

  “Why would you?” asked Sebastian. “And I didn’t miss the house in Portsmouth when we had to move, but everything was sold with it.”

  “Everything?”

  “I had a toy ship—a replica of the Golden Hind. And we had to leave it behind. There wouldn’t have been any room for it in London, but at the time I was so angry.”

  William squirmed in his lap, and a misplaced foot connected with one of Sebastian’s most delicate of areas. Sebastian grunted in pain, and William giggled. Anthony scooped him up, and he let out a delighted, high-pitched squeal.

  “We really should be getting back to our guests,” said Anthony. He didn’t sound like he wanted to, but he called for the nurse. She returned and took William from him.

  “When would be the best time for me to visit William?” asked Sebastian.

  The nurse curtseyed. “He tends to sleep for an hour or so in the afternoon, and his usual bedtime is after supper, but other than those, any time is fine, my lady.”

  “Then I will come tomorrow. If you have no objection, my lord?”

  Anthony looked startled at the question. “No, no—please do.”

  By the time they reached the lawn, their guests had already gathered.

  “There you are,” called Eleanor. “Anthony, you and I will make a fine team.” Anthony offered Sebastian an apologetic smile as Eleanor grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

  “I am here only to watch,” said Elaine, who sat in a chair, her hands resting on her swollen belly, “but I’m sure Thomas would be happy to play with Bronwyn, if you wish.”

  “I would be delighted,” said Sebastian. “And what of you, Anne?”

  “This game is for the young—and Simon has agreed to partner my husband, who has temporarily forgotten that he is an old man.”

  Bowls was a game his father had played, and the majority of Sebastian’s good memories of the man were in one way or another linked to the game. Thomas, Simon, and Anthony were rolling a dice to see which of the couples would play first. With a triumphant punch to the air, Thomas turned to Sebastian and handed him the jack.

  “Ladies first,” he said with a grin. “Do you know the rules of the game?”

  “Oh, I have a vague understanding. I’ve played once or twice when I was younger.”

  Anthony caught his eye and raised an eyebrow. Sebastian ignored it and stepped forward to bowl. The ball glided over the smooth surface of the grass before coming to a halt. He then accepted a wood with a red spot and bowled it with an expert flare so it came to a stop in front of the jack with a gentle kiss.

  “Ho!” cried out Thomas. “My lady, you are a secret weapon.”

  “Maybe I am lucky,” said Sebastian with a wink.

  Eleanor decided she should go next. “Perhaps, Anthony,” she said, leaning in close, “you can show me the best way to do this.”

  Anthony was clearly mindful that Sebastian was watching him, and leaned away and held out a yellow-spotted wood. “Just try your best.”

  Eleanor snatched the ball, her smile tight. “Don’t blame me if we don’t win.”

  To be fair, Sebastian thought that Eleanor had tried to bowl properly, but the ball had left her hand in a haphazard way that caused it to roll only a few feet and in the wrong direction. Thomas clapped gallantly, applauding her efforts, but Anthony groaned at her ineptitude.

  Thomas and Anthony were both excellent players, and Anthony had a competitive streak which caused him to get further annoyed at Eleanor’s continued poor efforts. “You must be able to at least get the damn wood in the general area of the jack,” he snapped.

  Eleanor’s face fell, and Sebastian decided that Anthony’s behavior was hardly that of a gentleman. “Anthony,” he said, “it is only a game, and she is trying her best.”

  Anthony bowed to Eleanor and kissed the back of her hand. “I apologize, my lady. My words were uncalled for.”

  Part of Sebastian wished he hadn’t said anything, since Eleanor was now smiling at Anthony as if he was the moon and stars all rolled together. She’d not even glanced in Sebastian’s direction, let alone thanked him for interceding. “No need, I too am disappointed that I will be the cause of defeat if we fail to win.”

  And lose they did. Sebastian, annoyed by Eleanor’s simpering and Anthony’s apparent delight at being the center of her attention, picked up his game, and he and Thomas won the game decisively.

  Richard and Simon were more of a challenge, but they too lost to Sebastian and Thomas’s superior game play. “Tell me,” asked Richard in defeat, “where did you learn to bowl, Bronwyn?”

  “My father—the family story goes that he helped Sir Francis Drake improve his game. My brother is better than I, but he made me practice with him when we were growing up.”

  Anthony appeared at his side. “I have many things to learn about my new wife. Should I be worried about what else you might be hiding?”

  “I assure you, my lord,” Sebastian said with a shallow curtsey, “I am hiding nothing sinister, unless you believe my abilities to distinguish a galleon from a frigate might cause you alarm.”

  “I think I shall have to keep a very close eye on you. Now what do you say to me rewarding the winner with a kiss?”

  “I don’t want one,” joked Thomas.

  Anthony slapped Thomas on the back in a friendly fashion. “I would not wish to make your good lady jealous.”

  “I suppose a kiss would as good a prize as any,” said Sebastian, and was thrilled when Anthony pulled him close and kissed him sweetly.

  Dinner was served outside on tables brought out from the
hall by the servants, and Sebastian found himself enjoying the wry humor of Anne and the not-so-subtle digs at Eleanor from Elaine. Eleanor paid the other women of the group no heed, preferring once again to monopolize Anthony’s attention.

  “Take some advice from a woman who has been married for many years,” said Anne to Sebastian, although her gaze never left Eleanor. “A happy marriage must start well to end well. Don’t let Lord Anthony get distracted. He is a decent fellow—he just needs to be reminded of it.”

  “I welcome your advice, Anne, but he has already assured me on this matter.”

  Anne smiled thinly. “A pretty face can cause even the most loyal of men to forget their assurances.”

  Sebastian heard the unspoken “especially when married to a plain wife” as Eleanor giggled and clung to Anthony’s arm. And although Anthony was not overtly encouraging her, it was taking him longer to push her away each time she touched him.

  “If we have all staved off our hunger,” said Anthony, finishing his wine, “I think it is time for hide and seek in the maze, before the rest of the guests arrive for this evening’s feast.”

  He pulled Elaine to her feet. “We’ll give you a head start, as I know there is only so fast you can waddle.”

  She smacked his arm before taking her husband’s hand.

  The six of them walked around the grounds to the opening of the maze. With no need to rush, it was a pleasant dawdle. Sebastian was relieved that Anthony had come to him, avoiding Eleanor, and they’d walked together, Anthony’s arm around his waist.

  Made from an evergreen privet, the walls of the maze were at least two feet higher than the tallest in their group, and even during his wander of the grounds, Sebastian had yet to explore the maze, and he was eager to get inside.

  “Right,” said Anthony, “the ladies will head in first and then the gentlemen. I will whistle several minutes after the last of you have entered, and then it’s first to the middle without being caught!”

  Sebastian picked up the hem of his skirts and hurried into the maze. Anne and Elaine had headed left, Eleanor to the right, so Sebastian went straight ahead. Thankfully, the sun was bright and nearly overhead, so the maze was light enough to navigate without the worry of tripping over an unseen obstacle.