The Actor and the Earl (13 page)

Sebastian sat astride Anthony’s lap, Anthony having loosened enough of his clothing to free his own cock. Somehow being partly dressed made it even more thrilling, and the sloppy kisses they shared, coupled with Anthony working him open with his fingers, made Sebastian’s head swim with an experience as intoxicating as any wine.

“You’re exquisite like this,” Anthony whispered as he aligned himself with Sebastian’s hole and gently pushed in.

Sebastian pushed down, having to lean back a little to make the position work, while Anthony’s strong arm kept him from falling backward. The rhythm they set was erratic, nothing like the slow intensity Anthony usually preferred in bed, and Sebastian squirmed and writhed, trying to get the friction right, enjoying how deep Anthony was seated inside of him. He knew he was being too loud, but try as he might, he couldn’t keep quiet. With Anthony’s hand around his cock, he came over Anthony’s doublet, but he couldn’t seem to care as Anthony thrust harder and harder, finally grunting out his own release.

Chapter 11

T
HE
later than normal night meant Sebastian slept through breakfast. Miriam had tried to wake him, but he’d burrowed further into the blankets and gone back to sleep, ignoring Miriam’s displeased tut. He decided that Bronwyn would be indisposed again until suppertime, and it would be Sebastian who joined the Ashtons on the last day of their stay, but Bronwyn would eat with them in the evening.

The weather was warm, and he found Anthony playing bowls with Richard while Matthew was sitting under a tree a little further away, reading. “Good morning. May I join you?”

Matthew peered up at him, and Sebastian saw a moment of disapproval on the other man’s face before he smiled, but the smile was definitely not as warm as the one he’d shared the night before. “Of course.”

Sebastian dropped down and sat next to Matthew. “I should have taken your advice and retired to bed when you and your father did. I fear I am not a morning person after a late night.”

“Did you know Earl Crofton before your sister’s marriage?”

Sebastian had not expected the question, or the abruptness of Matthew’s tone. “No.”

Matthew snapped shut his book. “I will speak plainly, Mr. Hewel. I find it despicable that a man should engage his brother-in-law in carnal acts, additionally so when his sister is taken ill.”

“You are mistaken.”

“I do not think so. I returned to the library to retrieve something I had forgotten, and there was no way I could have mistaken what I witnessed with my own eyes. Where before I thought we could be firm friends, I now fear I have made a great error in the nature of your character.”

“It is not what you think,” said Sebastian quickly, his eyes darting to the bowling lawn.

“Do not make me out to be an idiot. I know what I saw, and while I do in general have no care for whom a man lies with, I cannot condone a brother disrespecting his sister so.”

Sebastian was torn. He liked Matthew and had hoped that he would have someone to call a friend during his time at Crofton Hall, but to put right Matthew’s misconception would mean telling him the truth. Sebastian knew the Ashtons were close allies with the Croftons, and the need for companionship other than that of Anthony and Miriam tipped his decision.

“I do not deny what you saw, Matthew, but there is more to it. I will explain, and I assure you it will set your mind at ease about the situation, but you must swear to keep what I say a secret—for both my and Anthony’s sake.”

Matthew did not look convinced, but replied, “I swear on my honor that nothing you will say will be repeated, but I cannot think there would be anything that could excuse your behavior.”

Sebastian took a fortifying breath. “My sister is not here. She did not marry Earl Anthony Crofton in London. It was me, impersonating her. The real Bronwyn Hewel lives in Kent, where she eloped with another man when my family told her that her marriage to Anthony had been arranged.”

“What?”

“It’s true, I swear.”

“But how did you manage such a thing?”

Sebastian smiled weakly. “My sister is not a particularly feminine woman, and I have spent the last few years as an actor mainly playing female roles, and so for my family’s sake, I reluctantly agreed to pretend to play my sister. It was not meant to go this far. We’d thought I could be Bronwyn for the wedding, then succumb to a mystery illness. Unfortunately, Anthony recognized me from my last play, and for his own reasons, wanted to continue with the charade.”

“And last night was…?” Matthew’s expression darkened. “He does not coerce you?”

“No, I am willing. More than willing. Anthony is a handsome man, and given the situation I am in, I cannot go and find company elsewhere.”

Sebastian had not realized how close they were sitting until a shadow fell across them, and he jumped away from Matthew almost guiltily as he looked up and saw Anthony standing over them.

“Sebastian.” Anthony’s voice was cold, and a he had a hard expression on his face. “I would like to talk to you, if you have moment.”

“Of course.”

Sebastian got to his feet, and Anthony grabbed him by his upper arm tightly, dragging him back toward the hall. He did not speak again until they were behind the closed door of his study.

“Explain yourself!”

Sebastian didn’t know what Anthony was talking about, but from the sneer on Anthony’s face and his narrowed eyes, he was angry about something. “Explain what?”

“I should have realized that you could not be as naïve as you claimed. How many others have you cuckolded me with?”

“What? I don’t understand—”

“Don’t pretend, Sebastian.”

“I have done nothing to warrant this accusation.”

“You were almost in Matthew’s lap, talking about the need to find company! How long would it have been before you disappeared into the bushes and let him have you?”

“No! It was not like that. He is my friend, nothing more.” Sebastian could not believe Anthony’s jealousy, could not believe the gall the man had to accuse him. “You of all people have no right to say such things. You flirt with men and women alike in front of me!”

“You should remember your place. I could have your head on a block before you could even blink.”

The punch was not a physical one, but Sebastian staggered backward as if he’d been hit. The words were so vicious, repeating the fears that Anthony had dismissed months before but were now as real as ever. Sebastian’s eyesight blurred, but he would not cry. He breathed deeply to steady his nerve.

“Do you want to know the truth, Anthony? Do want to know what I was talking to Matthew about?” Anthony didn’t reply, so Sebastian continued, “He saw us last night in the library. I had to tell him what was going on. He asked if you were coercing me into your bed. All you heard was me defending you, saying that I wanted to keep your company.”

Anthony was on him in a heartbeat, and Sebastian was swept into his arms. Struggling, Sebastian tried to escape. “I am sorry, please, please forgive me. I am a possessive and jealous fool.”

Sebastian choked back a sob. “I have not lied to you about my past.”

“I know, and I am sorry.” Anthony’s words sounded sincere, but Sebastian’s stomach knotted painfully, as once again he was reminded of the tenuous position he’d allowed himself to get into, and how much power Anthony had over his life and potential death.

He pushed himself out of Anthony’s arms. “You are sorry? You are sorry that you have threatened to have me beheaded?”

Anthony tried to gather Sebastian back into his arms, but Sebastian would not allow it. “Please, I know I should not have said it. I was jealous. I was not thinking.”

“That is not an excuse. What happens the next time I do something that you do not like? Am I to live not knowing whether you will have me dragged away and executed if I put one foot out of place?”

“No!” Anthony grabbed his arm and would not let Sebastian break away. “I would never do that, never. I was angry and jealous. I have never cared before that my lover would take another to their bed. But the thought of Matthew—anyone—touching you… I could not bear it.”

Sebastian had never seen Anthony look so distressed, but he was still reeling from Anthony’s earlier outburst. “I should not have to live in fear because of your misguided concerns.”

“I am truly sorry, Sebastian. I swear on my life—on William’s life—that it will not happen again. I swear I would never sacrifice you.”

“Listen clearly, Anthony, for I will not repeat myself. My family honor can be damned, if you threaten me in such a fashion again, I will leave this house and I will not look back.”

D
RESSED
as Bronwyn, Sebastian sat down to dinner. Anthony jumped to his feet to help him with his chair.

“Bronwyn,” said Anne, “it is good to see you are well enough to come down for supper.”

“Thank you. It is good to be out of bed, even if it is just for a few hours.”

“This is Matthew, my son,” she said. “I’m glad he had the chance meet you before we left in the morning.”

Matthew took Bronwyn’s hand and kissed the back of it, surreptitiously winking as he did so. Sebastian’s eyes darted to Anthony, who smiled at him, trying to look remorseful, and showed no outward sign of jealousy at Matthew’s attention. “It is a pleasure finally to meet you.”

“My brother has spoken warmly about you too, sir.”

“Speaking of your brother, is he not joining us this evening, Bronwyn?” asked Richard.

“Sebastian has decided to spend some time with friends in London now that I am feeling a little better. He should be back later in the week.”

“Such a pity, I would so have liked to convince you both to act out a scene or two from
The
Comedy of Errors
. It is my favorite of the plays I have seen at the Swan, and it would be such a treat to witness real twins perform it.”

Before Sebastian could reply, Anthony answered, “That would hardly be proper, Richard. I do not think I would approve of my wife acting.”

“Surely there would be no harm in your own home, Anthony? And if Bronwyn is anything like her brother, it would be a shame to miss such a treat.”

“I won’t allow it,” said Anthony firmly.

Richard held up his hands. “It was merely a suggestion. I meant no offence.”

The last of the dessert plates were cleared away. “If you gentleman do not object, I will retire,” said Sebastian, standing.

“I will escort you back to your room,” said Anthony, offering his hand, which Sebastian accepted.

Once they were a safe distance from the hall, and Sebastian was sure they were alone, he said, “Sooner or later, people will become suspicious.”

Anthony checked over his shoulder. “There is little we can do to rectify that.”

“There is something. I could write to Bronwyn so at least once we can be seen together, and that should be enough to prevent any suspicion.”

“Would she come?”

“I think we can safely say she owes me a great deal. I doubt she would refuse a request like this is if means it will maintain the status quo. I will write to her tonight and dispatch it first thing tomorrow.”

Anthony took hold of his hand to stop him walking away. “Say you have forgiven me for my idiocy.”

“I….”

“Let me take you away from the hall for a few days. I was thinking we could spend some time in London, have Bronwyn introduced at court.”

Sebastian knew a conciliatory offer when he heard one. “I would like that. On our return, we could bring Bronwyn back with us.”

Anthony smiled. “Then it is settled. We will travel down to London at the end of week.”

Chapter 12

H
IGH
summer had never been his favorite season; the hot weather had often given him hives as a child. The heaviness of Bronwyn’s dress was exhausting, and the stench that pervaded the whole of London was inescapable. In the carriage en route to Whitehall, Sebastian tried to cool himself with his fan, but succeeded only in wafting around the hot, foul-smelling air. Anthony had decided to travel with him, muttering something about not leaving another horse to be misappropriated into the royal stable. Sebastian envied the way that Anthony didn’t seem to be bothered by the heat. Where Sebastian was wilting, Anthony looked calm and collected, with an air of elegant ease he managed to carry with him no matter the situation.