The Actor and the Earl (3 page)

“No,” said Claire, leaning closer. “What happened?”

“Hettingshaw is well known for his vanity, but with a head of golden curls, many believed he was more than entitled. At one of the Christmas feasts at Richmond, there was a display of exotic birds, including a very lively parrot. It flew around and around the hall, only to make for Hettingshaw’s head. Now, I don’t know why the creature had set its sights on him, but it swooped down, and next thing I saw was those famous curls soaring to the ceiling and a very bald Hettingshaw racing from the room.”

Sebastian couldn’t help but laugh, but it was more restrained than Claire’s cackling, and Anthony appeared to notice his reserve and changed the topic.

“The plans for the wedding are coming along well, I assume?” asked Anthony.

Sebastian was relieved when Claire answered. “Yes, the church is prepared—Father Michaels at St. Mary’s has been most accommodating, and Bronwyn will have the final fitting of her dress tomorrow.”

“Excellent,” said Anthony. He smiled. “I shall never be a bachelor of threescore.”

Sebastian nearly choked on the piece of cheese he was eating, Anthony’s words far too close to one of Benedick’s laments about marriage from
Much Ado About Nothing
for it to be mere coincidence. He stared wide-eyed at Anthony, who raised his glass as a salute.

After the last of supper was consumed, Anthony turned to Sebastian and, with a glorious smile, asked, “Perhaps you would be good enough to take the evening air with me? A stroll in the courtyard would aid my digestion, and your presence would make the night’s air sweeter.”

Sebastian smiled, trying not to show his discomfort. “Sir, I hardly think it proper….”

Claire waved away his concerns. “I’m sure Earl Crofton has no designs on your innocence this side of the chapel.”

With no chance of reprieve, Sebastian took the arm Anthony offered, and the pair of them left the townhouse and strolled into the private courtyard. Anthony said nothing until they reached a small bench under a pear tree that was bathed in moonlight and away from any prying eyes or ears.

Whatever Sebastian had expected Anthony to say, it certainly wasn’t what came out of the other man’s mouth. “I saw your performance at the Swan last night. You were superb—but tonight you were remarkable.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Of course you don’t,” replied Anthony, his lips close to Sebastian’s ear, his hand resting on Sebastian’s thigh. “Just like you aren’t really Bronwyn’s twin brother, Sebastian Hewel.”

Sebastian turned his head to face Anthony. He swallowed thickly, not knowing what to say, the pressure of being caught mingling with his attraction to the earl. “I….”

“I know the Hewel family has fallen on hard times, but I had not realized just how much the coffers had been depleted.”

“My late father was unlucky with some of his investments,” said Sebastian, his voice now his normal cadence. There was no point in keeping up the pretence, not with Anthony this close. “And we were unable to recoup the donations we made to the crown to support the wars against the Spanish, so much so that we owe Claire’s father a significant sum of money.”

“And you hoped a favorable marriage would solve this?”

“The money you have so generously given for Bronwyn’s hand paid off the last of my father’s debts.”

“So what of your sister, Sebastian? Or were you always meant to play my bride?”

“Hardly. She has run off with a man she thinks herself in love with.”

Anthony laughed. “Clever girl.”

“So it seems.”

Sebastian watched as Anthony examined him closely, his eyes taking in his appearance from head to toe. “What now? You know what we planned to do.”

“I think the plan has merits,” Anthony replied with a sly grin. “And I think that we can come to an arrangement that will prevent me from having to sully the once-great Hewel name.”

Sebastian didn’t like the sound of that, the words too close to blackmail for his comfort. “Meaning what, exactly?”

“If you are willing to keep up this charade, continue to play Bronwyn, then I in turn would take up the mantle of devoted husband.”

“
What?
”

“Your greatest performance, Sebastian. Fool the court and polite society in an extravagant wedding, then retire to my country house to be my beloved wife for perhaps a year or two, after which time my young, but sickly, wife will succumb to a fever, and you will return to your life as Sebastian Hewel.”

For a moment Sebastian was unable to reply, Anthony’s shocking proposal robbing him of words. “But why would you want this?”

Anthony’s smile was predatory. “I have my reasons.”

“But—”

“No buts, Sebastian. Do you have your answer? A life of luxury and your honor, or your family’s disgrace?”

Sebastian’s heart raced in his chest, but as he stared into Anthony’s expectant face, he really had little choice. “I accept.”

“I thought you might.”

“I will send my tailor to call on you in the morning. He’s a loyal man, so have no qualms that he will say anything about our plan.” Anthony stood up. “I’m assuming the dress made for your sister for the wedding will need some alteration. And if the style of that dress is anything to go by, you’ll need a new wardrobe to go with your new role.”

Sebastian scowled as Anthony bowed low and left. The arrogance of the man appalled him, but he was more appalled at the mess he’d managed to land himself in.

Chapter 3

B
REAKFAST
was an unappealing prospect for Sebastian as he waited for Anthony’s tailor to arrive. Claire had laid out a red silk dress that he would wear for the wedding, but had wisely chosen not to linger, as his foul mood was more than evident from his sour expression.

His wallowing was interrupted by a gentle knock on the door. Sebastian opened it to find a small man of middling age waiting patiently. “Yes?”

“I am Davis, sir. Earl Crofton’s tailor.”

Sebastian moved to one side to let the other man enter. “I did not expect the earl to send someone so early.”

“His Grace informed me that time was of the essence. I only need to take a few measurements, and I’ll be on my way. If you would strip down to your shift and hose, sir, I would appreciate it.”

Sebastian removed his doublet and breeches, idly wondering how often he would get to dress as a man once at Crofton Hall. He consented to ten minutes of the tailor fussing about his person. It wasn’t as if the experience was new to Sebastian, having been tended to by the family’s tailor and fitted for costumes, but he was eager for Davis to finish his business and leave him in peace.

“All done, sir,” said Davis. “I’ll take the dress with me and return it tomorrow.”

The tailor gathered up the dress with great care, handling each piece with reverence. “I also have a message from His Grace. He asked
that if you were amenable, he would like you to meet him at The Anchor
at midday.”

Sebastian nodded. “Tell him I will be there.”

The tailor bowed and left Sebastian on his own once more.

S
EBASTIAN
stepped into the tavern, leaving behind the bustle of Clink Street. He weaved through the clusters of other patrons, who sat in small groups drinking wine and talking earnestly, unbothered by his presence, until he found an empty table by a window at the back. He attempted to stare out of the small panes of glass, but the dirt on their surface made it difficult to see much further than a few feet from the tavern. He looked up as a pewter tankard was set down on the table in front of him.

Anthony Crofton sat down and smiled. “Thank you for coming, Sebastian.”

“Given the ferocity with which my cousin is approaching the wedding preparations, I’m more than happy to be away from the townhouse for a few hours.”

Anthony’s gaze was appraising, and Sebastian knew his cheeks were reddening at the attention. “You are even more becoming out of the dress,” said Anthony, his voice low as he leaned in close.

Sebastian’s eyes darted around the tavern, conscious they were surrounded. The party of three men to their right was engrossed in a conversation about the quality of a recent batch of silk, while the group of men to their left was playing cards and had no care for listening to his and Anthony’s conversation.

“Earl Crofton—”

“I told you yesterday to call me Anthony. Nothing has changed with a new day.” Anthony saluted Sebastian with his tankard of red wine before taking a long drink.

“Perhaps you should be more prudent with your words. We are in public, after all.”

Anthony snorted. “No one cares, Sebastian. What the law says and how the law acts are two very different things—especially when you have money and the ear of Queen Elizabeth.”

“Not all of us have your privileges.”

“But you can.” Anthony sat back in his chair. “And I’ll be able to protect you, no matter what the cattiest of tongues might say.”

“Protection is not what I would call the farce we are about to enact.”

“A wedding will silence even the loudest voice.”

Sebastian stared at Anthony with new understanding. “So that is the reason you need this marriage. Are there rumors that are too close for your comfort, Anthony?”

“You are as clever as you are alluring.” Anthony took another long drink. “Sometimes it is prudent to prove your detractors wrong, and my marriage to
Bronwyn Hewel
will do exactly that.”

“My cousin suspected that was your motive for this marriage.”

“As you will learn, the court can be a fickle creature. It never hurts to plan for all eventualities. ”

“Was one marriage not enough? Although you certainly don’t appear to be a grieving widower.”

Anthony’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “Jane was a good friend—one I had known from childhood—and our marriage was arranged by our families long before I could even walk. But as much as I love the son she gave me, she was not my great love, and I was certainly not hers.”

Sebastian took a drink from his tankard. “Should I not ask who your great love was?”

“If such a remarkable person exists, then I have not yet had the good fortune to meet them. But what of you, Sebastian? Are you leaving a string of girls heartbroken, thanks to our arrangement?”

“I….” Sebastian found the contents of his tankard suddenly very interesting. “There is no one.”

“So there is one tradition we are keeping—my bride will be virginal.” Anthony’s eyes sparkled with humor, and Sebastian was relieved to see no hint of malice.

“I would not say that I am completely untouched, but I have not engaged much with the fairer sex.”

“And with the not-so-fair sex?”

Sebastian quickly looked around to check they were still of little interest to their fellow patrons before answering. “Maybe a fraction more, but nothing of great note.”

Anthony leaned in closer, his breath hot against Sebastian’s skin. “Then maybe we can come to a further agreement. A man as young and beautiful as you should not want for a bedmate, and I would promise to ensure your pleasure.”

Sebastian pulled back. Anthony was so close he could hardly breathe, let alone formulate an answer. “I….”

“Take your time to think. I would not force you into such a situation, but if you wish it, then I believe it could be mutually beneficial.”

Anthony drained his tankard. “I must go,” he said with a smile that looked genuine to Sebastian. “I will see you at the church.”

Sebastian watched Anthony leave. Many of the customers appeared to recognize the earl and raised their drinks in greeting as he passed. Sebastian grabbed his tankard and gulped down its contents. Anthony’s suggestion was extremely tempting, and Sebastian doubted he would have the strength to refuse the offer. His morals were hardly those of a puritan, and his body was already clearly in favor of the idea. There was still something that didn’t ring true about Anthony’s motives. Whatever the rumors really were, they must have been bad enough for Anthony to enter into a situation where both of them could lose their heads. But for now, Sebastian wouldn’t push for further answers. He needed to make sure the marriage went ahead so his father’s debts were paid and the Hewel family’s honor was kept intact.

Chapter 4