The Actor and the Earl (14 page)

“I think you will enjoy yourself,” said Anthony as the coach entered the magnificent grounds of the royal palace. “I have been told there is a masked ball planned for tonight.”

“Where will I get a mask?”

“I would not worry. Her Majesty knows how to take care of her guests. I only wish she didn’t choose to white her face. I do not like your skin hidden from me.”

“You have mentioned it several times, and as well you know, a noblewoman would not dare shun the fashions of the Queen.”

“It does not mean I have to like it.”

Sebastian sighed. “I don’t like it either, and I’m the one who has to wear it.”

Sebastian stepped out of the carriage after it had come to a halt, and he couldn’t help but gaze wide-eyed at the splendor of Whitehall. He’d never been this close to the palace, and while he had performed at Richmond, he’d never been lucky enough to have done so here. The grounds were widespread and beautiful, so much so that Sebastian could’ve forgotten he was in one of the world’s busiest cities. Anthony cupped his elbow as a gentle hint to move, and Sebastian let him lead him to the main entrance of the palace.

The inside of the palace was equally opulent. No expense had been spared to advertise the wealth and importance of the royal family. Once again, Anthony gave him no chance to stand and stare at the elaborate wall hangings or the floral frieze that covered the ceilings as he was swept through the building to the presence chamber.

Hundreds of people gathered around, clustered in small groups: women whispering and laughing from behind fans, men betting on cards or bragging about their past wins or conquests. As they passed, Sebastian saw the curiosity in the women’s eyes, that same look of intrigue he’d seen at the wedding.

“Lord Crofton!” called out a dark-haired man who Sebastian thought was about the same age as Anthony. “Glad to see you could make it.”

“I’m not one to miss the summer masked ball,” said Anthony. “You remember my wife, Bronwyn?”

“Of course.” The man bowed and, taking Sebastian’s hand, kissed the back of it. “Lord Chelman at your service, my lady. Your husband and I have enjoyed many adventures in our day.”

Sebastian curtseyed. “I’m very happy to meet any friend of Anthony’s.”

“Her Majesty is in the privy chamber. She specifically asked to speak to you when you arrived.”

Although Sebastian already knew that Anthony had the ear of the Queen, it was another thing to see it so clearly demonstrated, and before he knew it, Anthony was being led away, leaving Sebastian standing alone. He stared around the room, standing awkwardly in the middle and on display. He didn’t know what to do next.

“Lady Crofton?”

Sebastian turned around to see a very pretty young woman with a kind smile and twinkling green eyes, who he thought might have been at the wedding feast. “Yes.”

“I see Anthony has been called away. One can hardly say no to Queen Elizabeth.”

“I suppose not, no.”

“Please excuse my manners. I am Lady Jennifer Simmon, Lord Richard Ashton’s daughter.”

The thought of a friendly face in the crowd of complete strangers warmed him greatly. “Of course. Lady Anne spoke at great length about your marriage last autumn.”

“I do hope my mother did not overburden you with details.”

“Not at all.”

The door at the far end of the hall opened. “Time for supper. I would like it very much if you would sit with me and my husband during the meal. Often those with an audience with the Queen find it very difficult to get away, and it has been a while since Lord Anthony has been at court.”

Sebastian was beyond grateful. Even before Anthony had disappeared, he’d been dreading supper, having to make small talk with people who gazed at him with open curiosity. He followed Jennifer as she headed toward the doors. A thickset man with a kind face took her arm, and after being introduced, confirming Sebastian’s guess that the man was her husband, the three of them entered another large hall. This room was just as richly decorated, with a row of suits of armor across the back wall, and filled with tables loaded with food.

The supper conversation, what little Sebastian could fully hear of it over the din of nearly a thousand people sitting down to eat, was hardly highbrow or challenging. When he introduced himself to the other diners in his immediate surrounds, they were polite enough and asked about his family. No one had a bad word to say about his father or the Hewel family’s loyalty. The event was nowhere near as tortuous as Sebastian had feared. Whether it was because good manners came automatically when not hidden behind a fan or whispered in a corner, or if he’d just been lucky where he’d been seated, Sebastian wasn’t going to complain.

After the final course of sweetmeats and fine wine had been consumed, a group of servants appeared carrying silver platters stacked with piles of masks. Sebastian noticed straightaway that most of the guests had the same mask, black with a silver trim. This type covered most of the face except for the mouth, but there were a few people who had a much more extensive mask built on the same base but covered in golden swirls and topped with a peacock feather.

“Only the Queen’s favorite male courtiers get the feathered masks,” explained Jennifer, as she spotted Sebastian’s confusion. “I expect when Anthony turns up later, he’ll have one.”

Sebastian accepted the mask he was given, the plainer of the two, and tied it firmly in place. A short reveille from a bugler told the guests that it was time to move back to the presence chamber and for the ball to begin. Sebastian lost track of Jennifer as the crowd entered, the sea of masks making it difficult to recognize her, so once again he found himself alone. A small band of musicians had already started to play, and couples were dancing in the center of the room. Sebastian moved to stand at the back wall, constantly looking to see if he could spot Anthony while watching the guests enjoy dance after dance.

“I can’t believe he brought her,” said a woman to her friend, who stood a few feet away. “I mean, is Anthony trying to make the point that he is available as he always was, since his wife is such a plain creature?”

Sebastian swallowed thickly. He wanted to move away, but he also wanted to know what else they would say.

“Anthony’s never exactly been fussy, but usually his trysts are with the more attractive options of court.”

“She’s not even of noble blood!”

“Really?” said the second woman, more intrigued.

“Yes, although I think if he’d lived long enough, her father would’ve been knighted—drank himself to death, or so I heard. And her twin brother is an actor.”

“No! But then I wouldn’t put it past Anthony to have had the brother as well. He is a bit of dog.” She spoke of Anthony with a warmth not present when she was gossiping about Bronwyn.

Sebastian couldn’t stand to listen to any more, so he walked away, refusing to run so he wouldn’t draw attention to himself, and headed out of the hall, walking blindly until he found himself outside in the gardens. It was still light, but the long shadows of the evening had begun to set in. The words raced around his head; Sebastian was unable to shut them out: taunting and sneers about him and his family from people who didn’t even know him. He pulled off the mask, not caring where it fell, and wandered, aimless, following the pathway across the lawn and passing sculptured topiary and garden statues before sitting heavily on a stone bench by an empty fountain.

“Out here all alone?”

Sebastian’s head shot up, not having heard anyone approach. Standing before him was a brute of a man, tall and broad and still wearing his mask. “I needed some air.”

“It appears that Lord Crofton is more adept at seeing to the care of other men’s wives than his own.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Sebastian found himself dragged to his feet, and no matter how he struggled, he could not escape the other man’s grip. “I think it only fair, since he had his fun with my wife, that I should have mine with his.”

Sebastian kicked out at his attacker, but he laughed at Sebastian’s attempts to escape, then suddenly stilled.

“Take your hands off her now, or the dagger I have pressed into your side will gut you.”

“Crofton,” sneered the man, but he pushed Sebastian away.

Released, Sebastian staggered back and landed on the ground. He stared up, seeing Anthony now facing the other man. “Faversham, I suggest you return to the palace, and we will say no more about this. You’ve little honor left to lose, and you won’t survive another scandal.”

Faversham stormed away, and Anthony helped Sebastian to his feet. “Did he hurt you?”

“No, but he intended to.” Sebastian brushed the dirt off his skirt. “He said—”

“I heard what he said. You know my reputation is well earned, but my dalliance with his wife was over a year ago. I had no idea he would react in such a way.”

“How many more husbands will Bronwyn need to fight off? Should I also watch out for angry wives?”

“Please,” said Anthony, taking Sebastian’s hand, “I know I’m no angel. The court is full of such liaisons, but I won’t allow any harm to come to you.”

“You are a hypocrite, Anthony Crofton. You threaten me over Matthew, where there was no reason for jealousy, yet you have no remorse about sleeping with another man’s wife.”

“I swear that, since we married,” said Anthony, pulling Sebastian close, “that yes, I have flirted, and I play the romantic courtier, but since we came to our convenient agreement, I have taken no other to my bed. And the thought of someone else touching you makes me so angry that I lose all sense.”

Sebastian didn’t want to linger on Anthony’s choice of words. He knew he was convenient, but he didn’t want to hear it confirmed aloud. “You will need to be careful. It is one thing to be jealous over Bronwyn, but you cannot act that way over Sebastian. I have already overheard someone say they thought you capable of sleeping with both brother and sister.”

Anthony chuckled. “That is because of a completely different story. But you are right, and I will be more careful.”

“You must be. Now, let us go back to the townhouse. I have had quite enough of court for one day.”

A
NTHONY
kissed Sebastian’s shoulder, his breathing still heavy from his orgasm. “You’re quiet tonight. Is something the matter?”

They’d spent another evening at the palace, and although Anthony had not been with the Queen the entire time, he had flitted from one acquaintance to another, flirting with the ladies and a number of the men. Sebastian had stayed close to the back wall again, and Anthony had returned to him several times to check on him. Surprisingly, it didn’t bother him. Watching Anthony work the room was rather like watching a play, and he realized that Anthony was a very good actor. What had bothered Sebastian was overhearing more whispers. Without masks to hide behind, they were more circumspect, but their disapproving eyes spoke almost as loudly as the gossip.

“You could say that my time at court wasn’t as enjoyable as I’d expected it to be.”

Anthony nuzzled into his neck and wrapped an arm around his middle. “Has it been that bad? Aside from that oaf, Faversham.”

“I can see how you enjoy being the center of attention, Anthony, but I am not the darling of the court, and the things they say about me and my family are not complimentary.”

“Ignore it. There’ll be something else to occupy wagging tongues soon enough.”

Sebastian huffed. “That coming from a man who married to counter rumors.”

“It’s hardly the same, and you know it.” He placed a kiss to Sebastian’s shoulder. “But if you prefer it, we need not attend tomorrow, and we’ll be heading back to Crofton Hall the day after.”

Sebastian peered over his shoulder. “Do you have something else planned?”

“I thought I could take my brother-in-law to the theater, I’ve heard he has a passion for it.”

Sebastian turned around so he lay face to face with Anthony. “Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Thank you.” Sebastian grinned and kissed him. “What are we going to see?”

“If I tell you that, it won’t be a surprise, now will it? Now go to sleep. Some of us aren’t as young as we used to be.”

Chapter 13

“
T
HIS
hall is amazing, one of my favorite places for a play,” said Sebastian as he dismounted from the carriage in front of the Gray’s Inn. “What are we watching?”

“
As You Like It
,” replied Anthony as they climbed the stairs to the main hall alongside a number of other playgoers.

“That must be a new one; I’ve not seen it before.”

Anthony smiled. “I have been told that this is the first performance.”

“Really? I remember first nights: hands clammy, desperate not to mess up your lines and hoping everyone else is feeling as nervous as you are.”

“Sounds terrible. Have you ever had the opportunity to perform here?”

“Yes, a few years back I was Luciana in
Comedy of Errors
,” said Sebastian, remembering the exhilaration the first time he had stepped out in front of an audience.

“I would’ve liked to have seen that.”