The Actor and the Earl (16 page)

“Have you… did you…?” asked Sebastian, feeling Anthony’s hardness still pressing into his thigh.

Anthony must have realized what he meant and kissed him again. “Not yet, but once we are back at the townhouse, I intend to add pictures to my words.”

Chapter 14

S
EBASTIAN
rose late, unsurprised to find Anthony already gone. He ached. Anthony had more than made good on his promise. With every step Sebastian relived their lovemaking from the night before, and winced at the thought of the carriage ride back to Crofton Hall.

It was closer to dinner than breakfast by the time Sebastian entered the small dining room, and he devoured the selection of bread, meat, and cheese that had been left out for him, his head bowed over the plate of food.

“You always had the manners of a pig. Sometimes I can hardly believe we are related, let alone twins.”

Sebastian’s head shot up to see Bronwyn standing in the doorway, with a shrewd smile and mirth dancing in her eyes. He was on his feet in an instant and gathered his sister into a hug.

“Get off, you oaf,” she said, batting at his arms, but her tone was playful.

“We shouldn’t speak here—we might be overheard,” warned Sebastian.

“Earl Crofton has already thought of that,” she replied. “His man Wallace collected me and had me wait in the coach until he had sent the servants who weren’t aware of what is going on to the market.”

“I should have known Anthony would’ve have put something in place.”

“He certainly sounds like a resourceful fellow.”

Sebastian spun her around before releasing her. “I am so glad you came. And you are looking well. It appears that the air of Kent does you good.”

“I believe it is being Mrs. Jeremiah Wickman that is doing me good,” Bronwyn said, sitting at the table and helping herself to the remains of her brother’s breakfast.

“You’re married? How did you get permission from the family to do that?”

“You really must learn to be more creative in your thinking, Sebastian. For an actor you can be terribly sedate at times. I forged a letter of consent from my brother—as he is the last male Hewel, that was more than enough for the local church.”

“You forged my signature!”

She laughed. “Considering what you’re doing with Anthony Crofton, you can hardly be angry with my little misdemeanor.”

“Yes, well, if you hadn’t run off, I wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“Which is why I’ve agreed to help you now.” She tutted. “I could hardly turn away your plea, given you have saved me such a wretched existence.”

“I would hardly call it a wretched existence!”

“You must excuse me if I reserve my judgment until I have seen for myself. I doubt you are unbiased.”

Anthony strode into the room. He stopped midstride when he saw Bronwyn, and smiled. To Sebastian it was dazzling, but it did not have the same effect on his sister. “Lord Anthony,” Sebastian began, “allow me to introduce you to my sister, Bronwyn.”

With a low bow, Anthony took Bronwyn’s hand and kissed it. “My lady, at last we meet. It is an honor.”

“Your fine words may work on Sebastian, Earl Crofton. But believe me, I expect you will be very grateful that it was him and not me who accompanied you to the altar.”

“Bronwyn,” hissed Sebastian. “Where are your manners?”

“Of course,” she said, “I am sorry… that my brother has found himself in such a predicament.”

Anthony waved aside Sebastian’s attempts to apologize on his sister’s behalf. “She is a spirited and protective creature. I am happy that you have someone willing to defend you.”

Sebastian was still mortified by his sister’s outburst. “Bronwyn, you cannot behave in such a way.”

“Don’t concern yourself so, Sebastian,” said Bronwyn. “I will play the dutiful wife in public, and the loving sister. Enough to quell any rumors you fear may arise.”

“And with that in mind, you will need to change,” said Anthony.

“I beg your pardon? What is wrong with what I am wearing?” asked Bronwyn, indicating her somewhat plain dress.

“You are Lady Bronwyn Crofton now, and so you must look the part. And while that is no doubt a very serviceable outfit, it is hardly fitting for your status.”

Sebastian took her elbow and led Bronwyn away, thinking it best to put some distance between her and Anthony. “Come, I have plenty for you to choose from.”

“The impertinence of the man!”

“Anthony is right. When you see what I usually wear as Bronwyn you will realize that you’re somewhat underdressed. And we will have to do something about your hair.”

“There is nothing wrong with my hair,” she said, even more indignant.

Sebastian was quick to answer. “Of course there isn’t. But I wear a wig with ringlets, and you’ve got short hair covered by a caul.”

O
NCE
in Sebastian’s room, Bronwyn stroked the silk of one of his most expensive dresses. “I see what you mean, Sebastian. This is exquisite—almost worth putting up with Crofton for.”

“Put it on. We need to be ready to go soon. The coach is being prepared.”

Growing up together meant Bronwyn had no qualms about undressing in front of Sebastian. He helped her strip down to her linen shift and into the new dress, doubting that, even with her slightly more curvaceous figure, she would look any better than he did when he wore it.

Bronwyn wrinkled her nose as Sebastian handed her his wig. “I have to wear this?”

“Yes.”

She turned the offending item over in her hand, stretching out a ringlet with disdain. “It’s hardly the fashion, Sebastian.”

“I’m aware of that. But originally I thought the longer hair would help me look more feminine, and since it is what I usually wear, so must you.”

Bronwyn griped further as Sebastian helped her put on the wig and pin it in place. “It’s itchy,” she grumbled, scratching at her hairline.

He smacked her fingers away from her head. “Then be grateful that you will only be wearing it for a week.”

There was one more thing that she would need. Sebastian worked his wedding ring off the second finger of his right hand, where he wore it when not dressed as Bronwyn, and held it out to her. “I already have a ring,” she said.

“Yours has stones on it. This one is plain.”

Bronwyn wasn’t happy, but she moved her own wedding ring onto another finger and slipped on Sebastian’s. “Happy now?” she asked, holding up her left hand.

“Ecstatic—now come on.”

They returned downstairs to find Anthony waiting. “Ah, the charming Hewel twins! Let us depart. I will go ahead on horseback, and you should arrive at Crofton Hall in time for the special supper that has been arranged.”

Sebastian enjoyed the journey back to the hall. Bronwyn spent the journey telling him all about her new life in Kent with her husband. He would need to visit her there at some point to meet the man who had the patience to deal with her fulltime, and was even able to bring out the soft side of a woman who had a tongue that could cut brickwork. He in return told her what he thought she’d need to know for the first few days at the hall.

“And what of you, Sebastian?” she asked. “I do wish you had not entered into this charade. It could potentially be very dangerous.”

“That is why you’re here.”

“I don’t mean just your head. I worry about your heart.” Bronwyn held his hand. “You are clearly in love with Anthony Crofton. Does he, or can he, return your feelings?”

Sebastian didn’t want to have this conversation, didn’t want to think deeper on something that was already troubling him. “It’s not like that, Bronwyn—we have an arrangement, nothing more.”

“You mean you warm his bed but not his heart.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Sebastian refused to carry on the conversation and was very glad when the carriage arrived at Crofton Hall. “Remember, this is your home. Try to act like you’ve seen it all before, no gawping or snide remarks.”

Sebastian need not have worried. Bronwyn exited the carriage and swept up to the entrance where Anthony was waiting without a second glance at her grand new surroundings. She even managed to smile warmly as Anthony kissed her cheek and escorted them inside.

“Glad to be home, my dear?” Anthony asked Bronwyn as they walked to the dining room.

“No matter how much I love London, it is always good to be home.”

Sebastian made sure he kept close to Bronwyn. From the list of who had been invited, which Anthony had supplied, he’d been able to give her each guest’s background and a general description during the journey, but knew that somehow he would have to find a way to tell her who was who.

It was made a little easier, as their guests were already seated for supper as they entered. It was clear that Anthony had also considered the possible problem, as Bronwyn and Sebastian took the only two empty seats at the table. These were where Sebastian usually sat when he was playing Bronwyn at the end of the table, and an empty place was set to her right for him. To Bronwyn’s left was Matthew, who already knew all about the arrangement the Hewels had with Lord Crofton.

The men stood as Bronwyn approached the table, and Sebastian managed to whisper the names of Matthew and his parents and Thomas and Elaine as he held out her chair for her to sit. There were at least another twenty guests, including Edward, seated next to Anthony, and Eleanor and her brother Simon. He recognized most of the guests by sight but couldn’t have put a name to all of them if his life depended on it. He would just have to limit their conversation to this end of the table for now, hoping that Anthony would be on hand afterward to help.

Elaine was talking animatedly about her new son, and Thomas had a protective arm around the back of her chair. Anne was embarrassing Matthew with a story about how he chased his sister around the kitchens with a grass snake.

“So, Bronwyn,” said Anne, “I imagine you’ll be providing Anthony with a sibling for William.”

Sebastian managed to stop himself from choking on his wine when Bronwyn answered, “I am hoping that we will be blessed.”

“Are you all right there, Sebastian?” asked Matthew with knowing smile. “Don’t you want to be an uncle?”

“To be honest, I am more concerned about what kind of child my dear sister would produce. I fear we would have to call a priest rather than a wet nurse.”

Bronwyn smacked his arm. “If either of us is a hell child, it would be you.”

“Compared to you I am an angel, sister dear. Our tutors lived in fear of one of your tantrums.”

Richard’s deep laugh stopped their sniping. “Does Anthony know what he has let himself in for having both of you at the dining table? Though I must say it is good to see you well enough to join us, Bronwyn, and the banter between you and your brother is very entertaining.”

“Apologies for our behavior, sometimes Sebastian and I forget that we are no longer children.”

“Oh, please do not apologize. It does an old man good to hear the young have fun,” said Richard.

“Even so, we will stop—at least until supper is finished. Are you in agreement, brother?”

Sebastian nodded. “A truce is formed. For now.”

“I doubt either of us could manage a permanent ceasefire, and I did miss our battles of words when Sebastian was away acting.”

“Do you have any plans to return to the stage?” asked Richard, selecting a miniature marzipan apple from a platter of sculptured sweets.

“Not for the moment. I have accepted Anthony’s offer to stay here awhile, although I will probably make frequent trips to London.”

“You should accompany Anthony when he goes next,” said Bronwyn. “It will help keep him out of trouble.”

Sebastian wondered what triggered Bronwyn’s comment, and followed her gaze up the table to where he saw Edward whispering something in Anthony’s ear that made him throw back his head and laugh. “Why you think I would be able to do that is beyond me.”

“I think you are being too harsh, Bronwyn,” said Richard. “While at first I thought he was still the same old Anthony, since your marriage he has calmed down quite considerably.”

“Not far enough,” she said, but so low that Sebastian was sure he was the only one who heard her.

Anthony stood up and clapped his hands together to get everyone’s attention. “Welcome, guests,” he began. “To mark our return from London and my dear wife’s improved health, I invite you all outside to enjoy this fine summer evening, where I have a surprise for you all.”

Sebastian offered his arm to Bronwyn and led her out into the garden. “Do you have any idea what he has planned?” she asked.

“No, but whatever it is, I’m sure it will be good. Anthony doesn’t have the reputation of being an excellent host for no reason.”

Seats had been arranged in a semicircle on the lawn. The guests were getting comfortable, chatting excitedly about what the entertainment could be, and Anthony signaled for Bronwyn and Sebastian to sit at the front on either side of him.

Two men, dressed from head to toe in scarlet, cartwheeled across the lawn in front of them. They were joined by three others all dressed in blue performing back flips, and a fourth in green walking on his hands. Sebastian clapped enthusiastically as they formed a human pyramid and the man in blue at the top jumped down, somersaulting and landing perfectly.