The Actor and the Earl (17 page)

“Where did the acrobats come from?” he asked Anthony.

“There’s a fair on at the local town.”

“But we’ve been in London. How did you know?”

“That’s what I have an estate manager for,” replied Anthony, not taking his eyes off the acrobats as they continued their display with synchronized forward rolls.

Bronwyn was also delighted by the display, leaning across to talk to Sebastian. “Do you remember that time we saw those contortionists in Portsmouth? You almost broke your back trying to wrap your legs around your head.”

“I was
eight,
Bronwyn. At that age I could put my legs behind my head. I doubt I’d be so successful now.”

Anthony didn’t need to say anything for Sebastian to realize what he was thinking, his smirk said it all. Anthony leaned and whispered in his ear, “You do yourself a disservice. From what I’ve seen firsthand, you’re flexible enough.”

Sebastian quickly glanced around, but the other guests were too absorbed in the impressive acrobatic antics to pay them attention. “You are incorrigible.”

“That I have never denied.”

Sebastian’s response was drowned out by the applause that marked the end of the display. The acrobats, panting hard at their exertion, bowed low several times, and many of the guests threw coins at their feet as they made their way back to the hall. Sebastian suspected they would also receive a healthy sum from Anthony for their trouble.

Sebastian could not stifle a yawn as they entered the hall. “If you are tired, you can retire,” said Bronwyn. “I think I have the measure of it all.”

“I am not usually so tired from traveling, but I was out last night, and the night before.” He yawned again, loudly.

“You are turning into an old man! Go, and I will tell Anthony you have retired for the evening.”

He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Thank you. If I don’t go now, he’ll probably try and get me to play cards until the small hours of the morning, and I’m in no shape for that.”

Sebastian had to remind himself which room he was supposed to be in. At first he’d gone to his normal room, but the presence of Bronwyn’s luggage there made him remember that
Sebastian
had his own room next door. A room he’d never slept in. When he undressed and slipped under the covers, he realized straightaway that the best beds in the hall were reserved for Lord and Lady Crofton. This one was by no means uncomfortable, but he had grown accustomed to his other bed and found himself tossing and turning, unable to get into the right position. Giving up, Sebastian propped himself up on a pillow and lit a candle by which to read.

The door opened, and Bronwyn slipped inside. Surprised to see her, especially as he thought it couldn’t have been more than an hour since he’d come upstairs, Sebastian frowned. “Bronwyn? Is something wrong?”

“Who is Edward?” she asked, her brow creased.

“He’s on old friend of Anthony’s. Why?”

Bronwyn paced up and down the room, an old habit she’d picked up in her early teens and had never lost. “I heard them talking. He knows about you.”

Sebastian sat up properly and closed his book. “I know he does—it’s not a problem.”

“Not a problem?” she said with a grimace. “So I suppose it is also not a problem that he is trying to undermine your importance to Anthony?”

“What?”

She sat on the edge of the bed. “While I’m not completely convinced of the benefits of your—” She waved her hands as if searching for a word. “—
dalliance
with Anthony, you do appear to be happy in your own way. So I take exception at an outsider trying to belittle that.”

“What did you hear?” Sebastian asked, hoping that Anthony had not been as dismissive as he had been months ago when Sebastian had overheard a similar conversation.

“Edward thinks that Anthony is tiring of you, that he’s no longer as ardent with his passion.”

“Then he is an idiot. And I’m sure Anthony told him so,” he said, sounding surer than he believed.

“Not in so many words.” Bronwyn sighed. “He said nothing—neither agreed nor denied. And Edward went on to warn Anthony about playing with your feelings—as if Edward would care!”

“It is not the first time I’ve heard this,” Sebastian admitted. “I just thought that Anthony would’ve said something to correct him. I thought I would mean more to him by now.”

Bronwyn’s expression was meant to be sympathetic, but Sebastian knew Bronwyn was not good with empathetic emotions, so instead she simply looked uncomfortable. “You need to be careful, Sebastian. Please tell me you will guard yourself, that you won’t make yourself even more vulnerable than you already have.”

He collapsed back onto his pillow. “And just how am I meant to do that?”

Chapter 15

B
REAKFAST
was best described as awkward, and Sebastian was glad that only a few of the guests had joined them. Bronwyn’s face was set in a permanent scowl, and Anthony obviously couldn’t understand her animosity.

“Did you sleep well, my love?” asked Anthony.

“Well enough,” she replied, her tone clipped. “Did you play cards until the early hours?”

“Not that late. We missed your brother. Sebastian is often very entertaining at the card table.”

“Perhaps tonight I could be persuaded,” said Sebastian, cutting off Bronwyn’s answer.

“Oh, I do hope so. Maybe we could revisit the wagers we’ve made in the past.”

Bronwyn grunted and speared a piece of cheese with her knife. “Sebastian, your constitution would thank you if you spent more time sleeping than gambling. Remember that time you were sick after losing a bet to Claire that you could not eat a dozen raw eggs?”

Matthew laughed so hard that he snorted beer out of his nose. “It seems you have always been surrounded by feisty females, Sebastian.”

“You speak the truth,” Sebastian said with a grimace. “My cousin Claire is even worse than my sister.”

“She must be quite the character.”

Bronwyn cocked her head to one side and looked thoughtful, and Sebastian wondered what was going through his sister’s mind. He didn’t have to wait long to find out. “Sebastian is merely joking. Claire is a lovely girl from a very good family. And she escaped from the unenviable fate of ending up as Sebastian’s wife, since there is no way her father would’ve sanctioned an actor as a son-in law.”

“I happen to think it was me who was fortunate to avoid that,” said Sebastian.

Matthew laughed. “A lucky escape indeed.”

Anne suddenly appeared interested in the conversation. “Is she betrothed elsewhere, Bronwyn?”

“No, not as yet, but her father is keen for her to make a good match in readiness for her twenty-first birthday next spring.”

“And who is her father?”

“Sir Francis Haven. He spends much of his time split between court and his travels for business.”

Sebastian could see where Bronwyn’s machinations were heading, and even though he thought her hypocrisy lamentable given her own marriage choice, Matthew appeared as interested as his mother. “And he allows her to live in London?”

“Given the time he spends in London in service to the crown, she is more protected there than at his estate. And he is probably right in his belief that there is more intrigue in the provinces than under the constant eye of the court,” explained Bronwyn with a raised eyebrow at Sebastian.

“Very true,” said Anne, smiling wryly.

“Perhaps I could write to her father about an introduction next time you find yourself in London, Matthew?” Bronwyn offered. “Or maybe we could invite Sir Haven to Crofton Hall?”

Anne nodded. “That sounds like a splendid idea. I will mention it to Anthony before we return home after dinner.”

Anthony appeared at their end of the table. “Ladies, gentlemen,” he said with a shallow bow, “I have had the archery targets set up, and there is of course tennis for the more energetic among you. I thought we should continue to enjoy the weather while we still can.”

As they got up make their way outside, Anthony said, “Bronwyn, a moment if you will.”

Sebastian left with the others, but held back on the pretense that he wanted to collect something from his room. Making sure the door to the dining room wasn’t completely closed, he listened to Bronwyn and Anthony’s conversation, while keeping half an eye on the corridor in case anyone should see him eavesdropping.

“You need to tone down your glares,” Anthony was saying. “The Bronwyn these people know would never act as you have done this morning.”

“Then maybe they should be introduced to her properly,” replied Bronwyn, and Sebastian knew she was scowling without having to see her. “I can easily teach Sebastian a few ways to improve his performance.”

“I don’t even know why you’re being so hostile. You were perfectly civil yesterday.”

“That was before I got a better measure of you.”

“And what do mean by that?” demanded Anthony.

“My brother is very dear to me, Earl Crofton. I do not approve of you using him as a plaything.”

“I do not!” said Anthony hotly. “We have a mutually gratifying agreement.”

“I may only be a woman, but mark my words, if you hurt him, I will not stop until the pain has been repaid threefold.”

“Whatever it is that I have done to make you think I would hurt Sebastian, then I apologize. For I have no intention of doing so.”

Bronwyn snorted. “Save your words for people who believe them.”

Sebastian heard footsteps heading toward the door, and he just managed to duck around the corner as Bronwyn marched angrily out of the dining room and down the corridor.

S
EBASTIAN
spent the rest of the morning playing tennis with Matthew, at which he had a modicum of success, and chanced his hand at archery, at which he fared much worse, only hitting the target twice. It hadn’t helped that he was distracted by the conversation he’d heard, and now Bronwyn and Anthony’s standoffish behavior toward each other.

“Trouble in paradise?” asked Matthew, nodding in their direction as he handed Sebastian the bow. “She does know she’s supposed to be helping by being here?”

“She’s just being overprotective about something she heard. She’ll calm down eventually.”

Matthew didn’t look convinced, and Sebastian couldn’t blame him. And it was a good thing Anthony and Bronwyn usually sat at opposite ends of the table during dinner, as he could tell Bronwyn was scarcely keeping herself in check during the meal. She excused herself as soon as possible, complaining of a headache.

The guests who had intended to leave followed her example, departing after dinner, and Sebastian thought it would be best to speak with Anthony about Bronwyn, not wanting him to think he had asked his sister to intervene.

Hesitantly, Sebastian knocked on the door to Anthony’s study, entering when he was invited. “I hope I am not disturbing you.”

“Not at all. I always welcome a respite from the tedium of paperwork.”

“I was wondering if there was something wrong… I mean between you and Bronwyn.” Sebastian leaned against Anthony’s desk, taking care not to knock the crystal rose bowl that sat on the polished surface of the wood. “You both appeared somewhat tense after breakfast.”

“I would like to say we had words, but it would be more accurate to say she had words with me.” He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I have never been so glad that she decided to elope and you were the Hewel twin that came to Crofton Hall. Her husband must be a saint.”

“She can be difficult, but she means well.”

“If this is her meaning well, I would hate to see her when she is being malevolent. Do think you could speak to her? Get her to stop treating me as if I am the devil?”

Sebastian licked his lips, wondering if should admit to overhearing their conversation, but thought better of it. “What was it that sparked her off?”

Anthony played with the feather of the quill he was holding, looking as if he too wanted to be careful with his words. “She doesn’t understand our arrangement, and is concerned that I might hurt you. I tried to persuade her otherwise, but she is quite formidable if she thinks someone close to her is threatened.”

“I will talk to her. At least get her to be a little warmer toward you in public.”

“Thank you. Otherwise I may say something I will regret before the week is out and she returns to Kent.”

Sebastian laughed softly. “I’m sure you are much too noble to do such a thing.”

“I wish I had your confidence in me,” said Anthony. He sighed and pointed at the pile of papers on his desk. “Unfortunately, I do need to get back to these. They are the plans for the west field and need to be finalized in time for the planting season.”

“Since I have never been one for farming, I would be of little assistance. I will leave that to you, dear husband.”

Sebastian saw the smile disappear from Anthony’s face, to be replaced by a cold glare. “I am
Bronwyn’s
husband, Sebastian, not yours. You need to be careful what you say. One false slip would be difficult to explain, especially since we’ve gone to all the trouble of having your sister visit.”

“Yes, of course. I’m sorry—I never meant… I should go.”