Free The Actor and the Earl by Rebecca Cohen Page A

agreed Sebastian.
    Richard either didn’t pick up on Sebastian’s slight barb or chose to ignore it. “I seem to recall that he had two children.”
    “I have a brother, Sebastian. He is on his way back from the continent, so he was also not able to attend the wedding. I am hoping Anthony will allow me to invite him for an extended visit.”
    Another giggle from Eleanor made Richard’s mouth morph into a thin, hard line. He turned and called up the table. “Ah, Anthony, you did not tell us what an interesting creature your wife is, you really are fortunate to have made an alliance with such a good family.”
    Sebastian could see Anthony move away from Eleanor, acting suitably contrite. “I am indeed a lucky man.”
    “I had thought at one point,” said Simon Bresner, a bored quality to his tone, “that I would have been calling Anthony my brother-in-law.”
    “Anthony has made a wise choice. The Hewels are known for their loyalty,” said Richard, who got to his feet. “I propose a toast: to Lady Bronwyn.”
    The other men got to their feet, and the ladies raised their goblets. Sebastian accepted the toast with a graceful nod and a pointed stare at Anthony. Anthony stared straight back and raised an eyebrow in question, which Sebastian ignored.
    Supper continued, Sebastian learning that there were more guests due tomorrow, and an evening of games and entertainment had been arranged. He also listened to Richard’s stories about Anthony growing up, and it was clear that he had soft spot for the earl. “I will never forget the day we found him dangling upside down from a branch of one of the old oaks, caught by his breeches. He was such a willful child.”
    “He’s a willful man, if I am to believe all that I have been told.”
    Richard laughed, and Anthony scowled. “That he is, my dear. But I believe he may have met his match with you.”
    “In order to stop Lord Ashton tarnishing my good name further,” interrupted Anthony, “I believe we should retire for the evening. Gentleman, if you wish to join me, I have an excellent port and cards laid out in the library.”
    Sebastian returned to his room, and Miriam was waiting. “And?” she asked.
    “I think I was successful. But I haven’t finished yet.”
    She reached out to start untying his sleeves, but Sebastian stopped her. “I will undress later. You need not assist me. This evening is not over yet.”
    “What do you have planned?”
    “I’m going to give Anthony Crofton a piece of Bronwyn’s mind. I don’t think he understood how lucky he was when my sister refused the marriage. She is much more stubborn than me, and has a much crueler tongue.”
    He wished Miriam a good night and examined the interconnecting door between his and Anthony’s room. Like the London townhouse, the bolt was on his side, and he pulled down the latch and let himself into Anthony’s room. It was similar in size to his own room and was dominated by the huge four-poster bed. Not sure when Anthony would retire for the night, Sebastian took the book from Anthony’s bedside table and settled down in a chair by the fireplace to read.
    He did not have to wait long. The door opened, and Anthony entered. “What are you doing in here?”
    Sebastian set down his book and stood up. “I wanted to speak to you about your ungentlemanly behavior.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “What I don’t understand is, if you wanted to marry a woman, why you didn’t you just marry the ever-so-willing Lady Eleanor, instead of dragging my family into your games?”
    Anthony scowled. “What are you talking about?”
    “It is obvious to me from your flirting with Eleanor, and how you press your suit upon me while dressed as a woman, that your preference is for the female form. So why, when trying to quash the rumors about your dalliances, did you choose to marry Bronwyn, one of the least feminine women I know?”
    Anthony looked baffled for a moment, then crossed his arms over his chest.