Free The Actor and the Earl by Rebecca Cohen Page B

“You think I’ve gone to all this trouble merely to deal with idle gossip that I take men to my bed?”
    Sebastian was not expecting that reply. “Yes. After all, it is against the law.”
    Anthony snorted. “Compared to what has been said about me, it is a minor infraction, I assure you. The rumors are not about my taste in bedmates, but whether I am loyal to the crown.”
    “Oh.”
    “‘Oh’, indeed,” mimicked Anthony. “If I didn’t have the ear of the Queen, my head would already be on a block by now. I was accused of being in league with a known plotter, but I could not prove that I was somewhere else without betraying a confidence.”
    “Surely they would’ve understood?”
    “Not when the confidence I am keeping is the Queen’s. I was delivering a message to a male acquaintance. It was a sensitive situation.”
    Sebastian moved quickly to stand in front of Anthony. He placed his hand on Anthony’s arm. “But I still don’t understand why marrying Bronwyn will solve that.”
    “The Queen herself suggested that I should ally with a family known for its unwavering loyalty, a family that would not allow their daughter to marry a man who could be called a traitor.”
    “I see.”
    “And the Hewels were perfect. Your father sacrificed everything for his country.” Anthony placed his hand on Sebastian’s. “Tell me, Sebastian, why did you refuse me in the rose garden? I thought you were happy to receive my attentions.”
    “I am, of course I am. But we could have been seen. If I am found out, I will be lucky if all that happens is that I lose my head. I’m not a noble. I could be flogged to death for blasphemy for the vows I made in church in front of witnesses.”
    “I would not let that happen!” Anthony grabbed him and held him close. “I would do everything I could to protect you.”
    Sebastian pushed away. “No, you’d need to save your own head. And if we are ever caught in the act, you could claim that the plainness of your wife had doused your ardor and we had not shared the marital bed.”
    “I could not do that.”
    Sebastian looked up at Anthony and cupped his cheek. “As long as we are careful, then there should be no need. But in the rose garden…. I cannot, and will not, take that chance.”
    Anthony’s kiss was insistent and demanding, his hand clutching at the ties of Sebastian’s bodice. For a moment Sebastian allowed it, but he pulled back. There was something else he needed to be sure of before he let this go. “I need to know if it is me that you want, Sebastian, and not Bronwyn, not the dress.”
    “When I see you, I do not see your sister, I do not see the dress as anything more than a pretty costume. I do not care what you are wearing.” Anthony pulled the wig from Sebastian’s head and threw it to the floor. With his hands, he wiped away the last smears of rouge. “I only want you.”
    Sebastian slumped into Anthony’s arms, not able to hold back the choked sob of relief, the built-up tension of the last few days leaving him bone tired. “Let me get you to bed,” whispered Anthony. “Tonight you will sleep in my embrace, and in the morning, I will more than make up for this.”
    Sebastian nodded and let Anthony gently strip him, removing his clothes piece by piece. He let Anthony lead him to the bed and pull him under the covers before being encased in his warm arms. Finally, he drifted to sleep with Anthony’s soft breaths across his skin.

Chapter 8

     
    L YING on his side, Sebastian’s hips canted to meet each stroke of his cock. Anthony’s wakeup call was the perfect way to greet the morning. He whined as the delicious friction was removed, but moaned his relief as instead the fingers slipped between his buttocks and worked him open. There was a dark chuckle from behind him as Sebastian relaxed to welcome Anthony inside of him. Filled by Anthony, and with the hand back stroking his cock, Sebastian didn’t know whether to bear down or push up. He