Free License to Quill by Jacopo della Quercia Page B

Aren’t you going to welcome me with a kiss?” The woman sashayed toward Shakespeare in the candlelit apartment while seductively stroking her white beard.
    â€œWhy are you wearing that?” The bard grimaced while sheathing his sword.
    â€œWilliam Shakespeare!” Penny laughed. “Surely an actor like you appreciates a convincing disguise.” The woman twirled a finger through her fake beard and removed it with grace. “Deception is a lady’s best defense at this hour, especially in a city overrun with wolves like yourself.” Penny closed in and slipped her fingers beneath Shakespeare’s shirt. As she pressed her body against his, the bard could feel the bulge of her codpiece brush against his inner thigh.
    Shakespeare pushed her away. “Don’t tease me, Penelope.”
    â€œI am not teasing you!” Unable to control herself, she then teased the bard’s beard until he smacked both her hands away. The pained woman grinned.
    â€œWhat are you doing here at this hour?”
    â€œI knew Bacon would keep you late. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t too late.” She traced her finger around the smooth head of Shakespeare’s steel pommel. “I’m the reason you’re not sleeping at the stables tonight. I sent that squire to rescue you from the Tower.”
    The bard tilted his head. “Really?”
    â€œOf course! You may be a beast , Will, but only I get to treat you like one. And whip you like one.” The lady coiled herself around the playwright as she spoke.
    Shakespeare looked down at the silver-haired siren beckoning him with bedroom eyes. As he bent down to kiss her, she slid her hands down his waist until the bard heard something click.
    Penny turned away from Shakespeare and robbed him of his belt—along with all the weapons and inventions Sir Francis Bacon had given him. “A belt this nice you should wear of one hip.” She modeled. “And what are these? Playing cards?”
    Outraged, the bard stormed up to Penny and spun her around. However, once he seized her, he found her dangling his deadly timepiece by its fatal pin in his face. “Ah, ah, ah!” she chided. “Would you rather spend the next seven minutes in heaven this way?”
    â€œLady Percy!” Shakespeare gasped as she dropped the bomb into his hands. “Are you trying to kill us? What the devil is the matter with you!”
    â€œNo, what’s the matter with you , Master Shakespeare? Disarmed and deprived of your dignity so easily? And by a mere woman! Oh, how your enemies must cower in fear of you!” she taunted.
    â€œYou are a devil-woman!” Shakespeare swore as he ripped his belt off her waist. “A succubus!” The woman smirked with her arms akimbo as the bard’s temper cooled. “That was a waste of fine leather,” Shakespeare grumbled. He tossed the broken belt onto his bed.
    â€œIt may not be a complete waste. The night is young and full of pleasures! I’m sure we can find another way for you to embarrass yourself.”
    â€œYou made your point, Lady Percy. I will exercise better caution. Now please leave. It’s been an unusually long day, and I don’t know how many months it will be before I sleep in here again.”
    â€œDon’t worry about Bacon. As long as you visit Aston regularly, I have no doubt you two will be friends.”
    â€œMe and Bacon?”
    â€œNo, you and Aston. Bacon thinks you’re a pimp and a traitor.”
    Exhausted, the bard collapsed into his chair by his desk. Outside his window, the half-moon was already dipping over the southwestern horizon. He did not need to consult his new timepiece to know that it was late. “I appreciate your concern for my well-being, Penny, but if you don’t mind me asking: Why are you here? More specifically, why are you still here?”
    Penny pulled over a second chair and produced a piece of parchment