The Actor and the Earl (18 page)

He hurried out of the room, ignoring Anthony calling after him. But he didn’t miss the loud smash that sounded like the crystal rose bowl hitting the floor.

Sebastian headed out of the hall, wanting to put some distance between himself and Anthony, and found himself at the stables. While at the hall he had often thought of riding out to pass the time, but as Bronwyn, he could hardly go on his own, and it was only recently that Sebastian had been accepted as a regular member of the household.

The head groom eyed him warily as he approached. “Sir?”

“I was wondering if the earl has a horse in his stables with a gentle temperament? I was quite a proficient rider when I was younger, but I fear it has been a few years since I have ridden.”

“Star would be the best, sir. She was the first Lady Crofton’s horse and is a lovely beast, but she doesn’t get the time out that she needs.”

Sebastian smiled warmly. “She sounds perfect.”

The groom departed, and returned leading a beautiful chestnut mare, her saddle and tack in place. He helped Sebastian mount. “I’d suggest taking the track through the woods for level ground, while you get used to being in the saddle again. It will lead out into open land, and then you’ll see a copse a bit further along. There’s a patch of grass up there that Star’s strangely fond of.”

Star needed only a gentle tap of Sebastian’s heels to move, and she walked on. He hadn’t been lying that it had been some time since he’d been on horseback, and it took several minutes to get used to being back in the saddle and in tune with the sway that accompanied every step. But as Sebastian headed into the woodland, the track clearly marked ahead, he started to relax and relish the time to himself. Star did indeed have a gentle temperament, and ignored Sebastian’s squirming as she plodded steadily on.

It was much cooler in the shade of the trees, and not being directly in the sun made the ride much more comfortable for both Sebastian and Star, although she was forever having to swish her tail to ward away the flies. Sebastian decided he needed to make the effort to get out of the hall more often, and thought he’d suggest going hunting with Anthony. Not even the thought of Anthony could ruin his mood now, and as they left the woodland behind and headed into open land, he saw the copse ahead, and Star’s ears pricked up.

Feeling braver, Sebastian kicked his heels, and Star picked up the pace to a trot. They crossed the open ground in only a matter of minutes, leaving behind any of Sebastian’s remaining concerns about being back on a horse.

Reaching the copse, Star slowed to a halt of her own accord, and Sebastian dismounted. She made straight for a clump of grass that must have looked appetizing to a horse. Sebastian tied her reins to the narrow trunk of a sapling and entered the small group of trees, thinking it was as good a place as anywhere to while away a few hours. The ground was springy underfoot due to a deep layer of moss, and Sebastian settled down under a large tree, determined to close his eyes for a short nap.

The snapping of twigs alerted him he wasn’t alone, and Sebastian saw Anthony leaning against a tree opposite. “I seem to spend an awful lot of time apologizing to you,” Anthony said, with a half smile. “I took my annoyance about your sister out on you, and I am sorry.”

“You could stop doing things that require an apology,” Sebastian suggested.

“Very true.” Anthony walked over and gestured to the ground. “May I?”

“Of course. How did you find me?”

“John—the groom—told me he’d sent you this way.” Anthony joined him on the ground. “You found a nice spot. I used to come up here regularly when I was younger.”

Sebastian groaned. “Please don’t tell me this is where you used to bring your lovers.”

“No, not at all.” Anthony laughed. “I like the peace and quiet. It gave me a place to think. Especially after my father died.”

“Oh.”

Anthony put his arm around Sebastian, and Sebastian rested his head on his shoulder. The warmth of Anthony’s body and his earthy smell chased away his anger. “Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?” asked Anthony, pressing a kiss to the top of Sebastian’s head.

“Why are you so upset at Bronwyn? Is it just because she’s acting differently to how I do?”

Anthony was quiet for a moment. “Not really. We can pass off her actions as her being tired from her illness. She made the assumption that I would actively choose to hurt you, to use you like a plaything, and that angered me.”

Sebastian wasn’t sure what to say. His heart soared at the words, but at the same time it was not an admission that Anthony cared for him in the same way he cared for Anthony.

“She assumed things she shouldn’t,” Anthony continued. “What we’re doing might not be conventional, or even legal, but we’re not hurting anyone. Especially not each other. We both knew what we were getting into, and I think she needs to respect your decisions.”

Sebastian pulled away to look at Anthony properly. “What is it you think we have?”

Anthony looked confused. “We have an agreement. You play my wife, and we find pleasure in each other’s company. And while you’re here, there will be no other sharing either of our bedchambers.”

It was not a declaration of love. But Sebastian thought rather sadly that it would be the closest to it that he would ever get from Anthony Crofton.

B
RONWYN
was sitting, embroidering, in the rose garden when he found her. He was glad to see that her abilities at aesthetic sewing were as poor as his own. The thread she was using was horribly knotted, and she was yanking it through the linen, leaving a large hole behind with every stitch.

“I am heartened to see that in some small way you are trying to behave as I would,” he said sitting next to her and batting at the material in her hand.

“Sewing is so dull! There must be more to do as Lady Crofton than sit around and get bored.”

“You could start by not annoying Anthony.”

“The man’s an idiot.”

“He really isn’t,” Sebastian said, and Bronwyn rolled her eyes. “And even if that is your opinion of him, you’re supposed to be here to throw off suspicion, not make everyone think Lady Crofton has endured some great personality-changing malady.”

Bronwyn slammed the embroidery down onto the bench. “So he has convinced you that the conversation he had with his oh-so-dear friend is nothing to concern your pretty little head about, has he?”

“Yes, he has. I know you worry, but acting this way will not help matters. Can you at least try to be civil?”

“I will try my best, for you, brother. But I do think that the sooner the second Lady Crofton succumbs to a swift and deadly disease, the better off you’ll be.”

Sebastian laughed and stood up. “You can put your newfound tolerance into practice at supper, then.”

Bronwyn took his arm when he offered it, and they walked leisurely through the gardens. “Although it is a lovely place, Crofton Hall,” she said. “If only Anthony himself were more like it.”

“That is the first positive thing you’ve said since you got here. Well done.”

D
URING
dinner, Bronwyn was as good as her word, and although it couldn’t be said she was playing the doting wife to Anthony, she was significantly less abrasive. Anthony mouthed “thank you” to him as Bronwyn complimented Anthony on his choice of clothing for supper and suggested that he could introduce Sebastian to his tailor. And once supper had finished, Bronwyn retired to her room after placing a kiss to Anthony’s cheek.

Matthew grinned at Sebastian. “It appears your sister has found her better mood.”

“I’m afraid her moods are dependent on her health, and she has been very tired of late,” said Sebastian. “I do hope, Earl Crofton, that you have not taken too great an offence.”

“Not at all, I’ve grown used to Bronwyn’s idiosyncrasies, and she is quite charming normally. I think before the week is out she will be back to her usual self.” Anthony’s eyes sparkled as he spoke, and both Matthew and Edward took a long drink of their wine to hide their smiles.

Sebastian should have known that the truce would not last long. After two peaceful days, he was heading to the library after spending an entertaining hour playing soldiers with William, when he saw Bronwyn marching angrily across the lawn. Anthony was following closely behind, his hands gesticulating widely. Sebastian sprinted outside, but Bronwyn pushed past him. “He is an insufferable man! I am returning to Kent as soon as possible.”

“Bronwyn,” he called after her, but she ignored him and stormed back to the house.

“Let her go,” snarled Anthony. “She is a harpy!”

“She is also my sister, and I would ask you to refrain from insulting her.”

“You are taking her side?” Anthony said, sounding incredulous.

“She is my family, Anthony.”

Anthony leaned in close, his face hard, anger making his eyes narrow and his nostrils flare. “And I am your
husband.”

Sebastian shoved him away. “You have already made it very clear, Earl Crofton, that you are Bronwyn’s husband, not mine.”

Leaving Anthony gaping, Sebastian raced after his sister and found her in her room, throwing items into a traveling trunk. “What happened?”

She was livid, her face was flushed, and she was breathing heavily. “He told me that I ate like a pig!”

“Really?”

“Words to that effect,” she said, gathering her makeup and placing it into a drawstring bag. “So I replied that it was better to
eat
like a pig than to
look
like one.”

Sebastian groaned and sank onto the bed, his head in his hands. “What did he actually say?”

“I told you!”

“No, tell me what he said
exactly,
not your interpretation of it.”

“He said that the way I was eating would give me bile.”

“That is all he said?” Sebastian asked, lifting his head out of his hands.

Bronwyn threw her makeup bag into the case. “It was enough. He insulted me, Sebastian, and you are excusing him!”

“You are meant to be suffering from an illness that results in you spending long periods of time bedbound. From what you have said, all Anthony was doing was playing the concerned husband.”

The anger drained out of Bronwyn’s face. “I suppose, when you say it like that, I may have slightly overreacted.”

“Slightly? Bronwyn, you’re going to have to apologize.”

“I am not!”

Sebastian shook his head, wondering how Bronwyn could not see she was in the wrong. Standing up, he grabbed her elbow. “You are going to apologize to Anthony, and you are going to mean it, or I will accompany you to Kent and tell the priest who married you that you forged my signature.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Bronwyn hissed, trying to pull her arm away, but Sebastian wouldn’t let go.

“If that is the risk you wish to take, then by all means continue to protest. But I need you to stop making things difficult for me. I have to live here when you’ve gone.”

Bronwyn growled in frustration but let Sebastian march her out of the room and to Anthony’s study. He knocked, opened the door, and pushed her inside. As they entered, Anthony glowered at them from where he sat at his desk.

“My sister has something she wishes to say to you,” said Sebastian, giving Bronwyn a shove.

She pouted like a child. “Sebastian has suggested that I might owe you an apology.”

“Might you now?” replied Anthony as he leaned back in his chair, waiting for her to continue.

“Bronwyn,” said Sebastian, looking at her pointedly.

“Oh, very well. I am sorry for misinterpreting what you said to me earlier, and I am sorry I called you a fat-headed pig.”

She didn’t sound like she meant it, but Sebastian knew Bronwyn well enough that this was as good an apology as Anthony was going to get. “I think,” he said, trying to break into the glaring competition the other two were having, “that it might be a good idea if Bronwyn returns home tonight—if it can be arranged.”

“I can have the carriage brought around straightaway,” said Anthony. “Wallace will accompany you back to ensure your safety.”

“That would suit me fine,” said Bronwyn.

“And how would you explain where Lady Crofton is going in the middle of the afternoon unaccompanied?” asked Sebastian in disbelief. “I understand you both want to be as far apart from each other as possible, but there should be some common sense applied to this situation.”

“You are of course correct, Sebastian.” Anthony sat up in his chair. “The carriage will be made ready to leave after dark—I’ll make sure that Wallace takes a couple of trustworthy extra men with him, since the roads can be dangerous at night.”

“Then I will spend the rest of the day packing, as I have no intention of attending supper.”

“We have Lord and Lady Sennett here tonight,” said Anthony, as if he’d only just remembered. “You need to be there.”

Sebastian stepped in to divert the rude reply he knew was coming from his sister. “I will attend as Bronwyn. That way we can also be seen to be making up our disagreements a little in public.”

“Rather you than me,” Bronwyn said.

“At least that is something we agree on,” said Anthony with a snort.

Bronwyn curtseyed, but it was shallow, and left. Sebastian smiled weakly at Anthony. “I am sorry for her behavior, and for taking her side without knowing what had happened.”

Anthony waved away his apology. “She is your sister, and as her brother, you will always want to defend her.” He stood up and walked over to Sebastian, pulling him into his arms. “Now, what did you have in mind for our making up later? I definitely think we should practice.”

M
IRIAM
was waiting for Sebastian as he went upstairs to dress for supper. “I hear your sister is leaving us sooner than expected,” she said, laying out a set of clothes for him.

Sebastian stripped out of his doublet and breeches and unfastened his ruff. “Yes, much to the delight of both herself and Anthony.”

“She is a lively woman.”

“That is a polite way of putting it.”

Miriam chuckled. “She was lovely and polite to me, but she did not hide her disdain for Earl Crofton.”