Free Kathryn Kramer by Midsummer Night's Desire Page A

authority to speak for the company, Heminges answered, "Only the leading actors ride on horseback.  Hired actors such as yourself are expected to walk alongside the wagons."
    "Walk!"  Nicholas clenched his jaw in outrage.  He was not used to be ing treated in such a highhanded manner.  Oh, that he could tell this conceited buffoon a thing or two.  Heminges seemed to be a haughty individual if ever there was one, he thought sourly.
    Standing with his hands upon his hips, Nicholas sputtered and fumed in barely suppressed anger as Heminges rode away, but there was nothing that he could do lest he destroy his cover.  He could hardly tell them that he was a nobleman, not after concocting his prior story.  Still, it irritated him to see the lovely dark-haired Alandra's smug smile.               
    "What do you find so funny?" he growled, kicking the dirt of the roadway  as the wagon passed by him.
    "That it is unfortunate that you did not bring an extra pair or shoes.  Those will be quite worn through by the time we reach our destination," she said haughtily.
    "God's whiskers, I did not intend to trudge alongside a scurvy wagon like some apprentice or fledgling boy."
    He looked with ire upon a group of young men who had been hired to take the young women's roles in the plays. Nicholas knew that women were never used as actors to avoid fierce rivalries and jealousy females often brought to acting companies. Since the whole existence of an acting company depended on unity and goodwill among its members, women were forbidden the acting profession.
    "To think that I am being treated like these callow youths who can not even grow a beard."
    "You did not think you would be asked to walk?" she asked innocently.
    Of course he didn't.  He had thought them to be so stupid that they would put a horse at his disposal.  Well, he would soon learn that the actors were not as lame brained as he supposed.  He wanted to be among them, then let him abide by the ir rules.
    "Of course I didn't think that!"  he sputtered in answer.  To be quite truthful , her cockiness was getting on his nerves. That and the way she studied him, as if she knew something he didn't know that she knew. 
    "Why, Mister Nicholas," Alandra said with feigned sweetness, "one would nearly suppose that you fancied yourself to be a wealthy merchant, alderman or nobleman.  Well, be that as it may, only an actor of renown would warrant a horse in this procession." 
    "Indeed!"  His eyes strayed to the fo ppish young men assembled and  he frowned at the thought of being thought of in the same vein as they.
    Alandra noted his scornful  look. "I do wonder what you will look like in a skirt." 
    "Me. Dress as a woman?"  To play a woman's part was unthinkable, no matter how minor the role, even in his current predicament.  "BiGod never!  If I am asked to act the role of such a fair flower, I will quit before I begin." 
    "You should have thought about that before you weaseled your way among us," Alandra shot back, then couldn't help saying, "but don't fear.  It takes great talent to take a woman's role.  A skill I doubt very seriously that you have."
    "Oh, is that so!"  She was infuriating.  For just a moment he wished he really was a serious actor so that he could make her eat her words.
    Women complicated the lives of the troupe, he'd heard it said, and now he could testify that it was true.  Certainly Alandra Thatcher was trouble.  But what was she doing in this company?  Was she not most obviously female? And troublesome at that! He put that question into words, then waited for her reply.
    "Me? I'm different!"  His question disturbed her, for it brought to mind her apprehension of what was to be done with her now that she had become a woman and was no longer a girl. A few of the actors had made an unwelcome comment or two  of late.
    "Why, I've been with them since before I could walk and talk.  They are my family! Besides, I do not take part