Now he really was a fool, but Richard was a hard habit to break. “I have to know everything. All about your past and what I am likely to expect in the future.”
“No. It’s too dangerous for you to stay here. The more you know, the greater your risk.”
“It’s too late for that.”
Richard leaned back against the wall next to him. “Lord, I have been stupid and selfish,” he groaned. “A broken heart would have been better than the danger I’ve put you in. I should have thrown you out the moment I saw Bennett at the inn.”
“You didn’t, so here we are, and now you owe me an explanation.”
“I was a spy. There’s nothing more to say than that. I’m sorry I made you one too.”
“I enjoyed spying, and I don’t hold you responsible for my involvement in it, but you should have told me your history before I stepped into the bookshop this afternoon. That would have been fair, even if it wouldn’t have stopped me.”
Staring at the ground, Richard shook his head miserably. “You profess to love everything that is distasteful about my life except the secrets I tried to protect you from. I cannot believe you would still be here now if you knew the true extent of my past. Tonight you heard the word spy for the first time and you turned tail. There’s worse than that.”
Of course there was. “You can’t have committed a bigger crime than loving Bennett.”
Richard closed his eyes and tipped his head back against the wall. “I have regretted my association with him many times but never as much as I do now. I’m sorry, for you, and for myself, that I ever met him. He has led me to places I can’t come back from, no matter how hard I have tried.”
“Enough of your self-pity,” William spat. “I don’t care what you’ve done for a coin, or a thrill, or to keep yourself alive for another day. I don’t judge you for any of that.”
Slowly, Richard straightened up and turned to look at William through narrowed eyes. “You will regret it if you don’t,” he threatened. “I’m not some hero in a play. I’m the dangerous bastard you’ll be stuck with if you stay.”
He was good, but William could see the gesture was contrived. This was clearly Richard’s last attempt at scaring him back to Oxford.
“You will have to train me to be an equally dangerous bastard and have done with it,” he muttered.
Richard relaxed his menacing look, but he didn’t smile. “So you are staying?”
“For the moment.”
“That shouldn’t please me. But it does.”
“Don’t flatter me,” William snapped. It would have been a treat to hear yesterday, but today it was distasteful.
“I didn’t say it to charm you, even if it seems that way now. I like you, William. You may hate me for my secrets, but that is the only thing I wish I had told you before.”
“You could have done if you hadn’t been so busy in Bennett’s bed.”
William’s cock still stood stubbornly tall, although the contact between them was long since broken. This was all the proof he needed that he was not, and had never been, in love with Richard. Right then, he didn’t even like him, but he still desperately wanted to fuck him. Richard had made him feel alive in bed that morning, and he needed more.
He peeled himself off the wall and stood in front of Richard. “I offered you comfort, and I meant it,” he said. “Let’s go back to the inn.”
“No,” Richard mumbled, head down again, pathetic. “You needn’t force yourself for me. I didn’t deserve you when you wanted me, and I deserve you even less now.”
“My feelings for you have not changed. Even now I long for you to have me.”
Richard looked up at him, dim light reflecting in his eyes, face only half-illuminated. The dark alley was a world away from the stage where he’d first delighted William. He was no longer dazzling, but the man whom William had longed to kiss remained.
“I’m cunt-drunk,” William continued. “That’s what my brother would call it if you were a woman.”
Richard reached out and took his hand, then pulled him gently until William leaned lightly against his body.
Their lips touched.
It was a delicate thing at first. William liked being kissed passionately on the stage and in bed, but there was something to be said for this treatment too. He could better appreciate the soft yielding of Richard’s mouth as it opened for him, the tickle of his beard, and the confidence of his tongue.
Soon the kiss deepened, and Richard’s hands moved to his head, long fingers trailing through his hair, before gliding down his back and cupping his arse.
William craved that more than anything. He’d been so focused on the needs of his cock and balls that he’d let his arse go unregarded those first few times, but he wanted Richard inside him more than anything and was not afraid for his first time. He knew well what to expect, well enough to know he wouldn’t be getting it here in the alley.
Richard continued to explore William’s body, hands pushing into the back of his hose, finger burrowing down the cleft of his arse, just as it had the day before, lightly brushing his hole again. William shuddered, grateful he’d found a lover as keen as he was for that. Perhaps Richard would even like William to plough his arse in return. That would be a thrill.
But William’s real desire right then was to make Richard come off by any means he could. He fumbled his way into Richard’s hose and found his cock to be just as hard as his own. For a moment, he was nervous, and his touch was light because of it, but Richard huskily ordered, “You know what to do. Don’t hold back.”
So he didn’t, but when a hand found his own cock, he did try to match Richard’s pace. William’s release would be all the sweeter if they could both come off together.
They kissed right up until the end, when William needed his breath more than ever. He’d not done it standing up before, and his legs ached from the exertion of just holding up his body. He had to cling to Richard for support and lean against his shoulder even while they tugged each other. His lover didn’t seem to mind, and William felt one strong arm clutch his waist tightly while the other pumped his cock.
Then he was gasping, shaking, and Richard was whispering unintelligible promises in his ear as they both spilled their seed onto the cobbled street.
Richard continued to hold him up while he regained his composure. William was grateful for the care and the release, until he saw Richard lick his hand clean. Then he wanted to begin all over again.
Lifting his own hand, he looked into Richard’s eyes and tasted his seed. It was thick, salty, a little bitter at first, mellowing into sweetness as he held it on his tongue. He’d never tasted his own and didn’t know what to expect, but he wanted more. This was the very essence of his lover, and he would take it a hundred times over even the most honeyed treat.
Richard swallowed heavily at the sight, his breath still coming deep. “Do you like it?” he asked gruffly.
“Bennett is waiting,” William said, ignoring the question. He had to be all business now if he wanted to be taken seriously as a spy.
They tucked themselves back in. Richard tried to kiss him again, but William pushed him gently away. “We’ve an appointment to keep.”
“Yes, I must go.”
“We must go. I’m your apprentice, and he wants to discuss a job. He should expect me to be there.”
“I hate to refuse you now, but we are playing his game still. You can come to help me carry the costumes back, but Bennett won’t speak of spy work in front of you.”
That was more than William had been expecting. Now he had a foot inside Bennett’s home, and he would take it. From there he could find a way to listen to their discussion. Unable to trust Richard anywhere but the bedroom, he would have to rely on his wits if he wanted to know what sort of situation he found himself in.
Chapter Twelve
IT WAS full dark when they arrived at Bennett’s home, but, as ever, the house was brightly lit.
Richard expected Wil
liam to make a comment on the property, but if he was impressed, he did not show it. His expression was worryingly determined for a man who’d come only to help carry a box.
Richard approached the house with a bellyful of nerves on the lad’s behalf. William seemed intent upon ruining himself, and Richard hadn’t the will to stop him. Protecting him hadn’t worked, and releasing him only tested Richard’s own resolve, and found it wanting. What more was he to do?
What a question to ignore! He knew exactly what he should do—apprentice William to another master. Better still, it should be with another company. Geoffrey was adamant from the start that the opportunity shouldn’t be wasted, and William had shown onstage how much he deserved the position. He should continue to train, but with a man more suited to tutoring. A man without a past.
Perhaps Richard could sweeten the deal for all parties by continuing to offer William a bed for the night. But would that be safe? Probably not.
He had one other option, and he now selfishly scrabbled at it. William was intelligent and capable, he’d gained in confidence quickly, and he was brave. He wanted to be a spy. Perhaps he could be taught how to protect himself too.
They stopped at the front door, but Richard didn’t knock, not yet. William stood next to him, silently waiting.
When William gave him a questioning look, Richard whispered, “Dull your wit.” Then he knocked.
The door was answered by the same servant he’d met the night before, who appeared surprised Richard had arrived with a guest. He led them through to the well-stocked library and immediately left to fetch the master of the house.
Richard watched William, who had been unmoved by the outside of the property, widen his eyes as he looked around the room.
“Impressed?”
“Now I know what you see in him,” he said.
That hurt. He had hoped William thought better of him than that. “You think I loved him for his money?”
“No, although that would not put anyone off. Look at all these books. There are more in this room than I saw in that bookshop yesterday. Where I come from, you’re educated if you have a Bible in the home. He must be well learned. Pity he has never been taught manners.”
The door opened, and Bennett stepped in. He was fully dressed this time, but his doublet was not fastened all the way and his shirt billowed out the top. It was obvious he’d readied himself in a hurry. His manner was easy, however, likely because he knew he had no one to impress.
Ignoring Richard, he looked to William. “Hollo again, good man. I wasn’t expecting you this evening.”
William bowed his head deferentially. “My master said there might be a load to carry, sir. I’ve come to help.”
“At this time of night? You could have waited until the morning.”
“I wouldn’t let my master make two trips.”
Bennett laughed merrily, as if their last encounter had never happened. “You wouldn’t let him?” he teased. “Who is the master here?”
Richard barely felt the insult. He was too angry at Bennett to care what he thought. “You are,” he replied, but there was no respect in it. “Now, we must talk business.”
“But you have brought your apprentice. Tarry awhile. Let him enjoy the surroundings.”
Bennett turned his attention back to William, who was no longer bowing his head. His expression was neutral, but Richard knew the contempt he would be feeling.
Grinning at William, Bennett continued, “Tell me, boy, what sort of things has Richard been instructing you in?”
“Acting, mostly.”
“There’s no better tutor for that. Anything more practical?”
William feigned ignorance. “In what sense?”
“Oh, I don’t know… swordplay, perhaps.”
A devilish smile found its way to William’s lips. “Forgive me, sir, but I ask again, in what sense?”
“He likes to play, this one, doesn’t he?” Bennett said to Richard, but he didn’t take his eyes from William. Dipping his voice only slightly, he told William, “Crossing swords is fine sport however you do it, but Richard must be careful that you do not stick yours in him while you practice. Leave that to us fighting men. If you come at him untrained with such a weapon, he may get hurt.”
William’s smile disappeared. “Quite correct, sir,” he said with a distaste he didn’t bother to hide. “Only the most inept fool would injure him somewhere important. After all, he only has one heart.”
“Enough, both of you!” Richard barked. Bennett scowled, and Richard promised, “I’ll punish him for his impudence later.”
Bennett looked back at William, who met his eyes bravely. They stared at each other until Bennett composed himself and returned to his usual, genial self.
“Why punish him?” he asked, as if he were above such things. “I assume he learnt it apprenticing to you. Shall we go talk somewhere he won’t be forced to listen?”
“I want to see the plays and costumes first.”
“As you wish. Come with me. The boy can stay here.”
Richard followed Bennett out of the library and across the hall into the opposite room. Outwardly it was used for storage, but Richard remembered the secret passageway it contained. From there you could spy on any room in the house.
A chest blocked the hidden door. Bennett carefully opened its lid and leaned it against the wall.
“Four plays—” He pulled bundles of paper from the top. “—and all the costumes required for them.”
The clothes were mostly new and finely made. There were several elegant dresses and suits, accompanied by matching shoes and hats. Even the servant’s garb was well done, and it appeared otherwise authentic.
Richard dug through until his hand touched soft velvet. He pulled it out and found a whole bolt of the material in a deep plum color. “Purple velvet?” he said, dropping it abruptly. “You know we cannot wear this, even on stage.”
“Then give it to your boy to make an undergarment for himself, if it’s not beneath him.”
“Where did you get it?”
“I couldn’t possibly reveal the name of my client.”
Richard knew all too well whom Bennett worked for. Richard had performed for the Queen more times than he dared to count, and he knew how seriously she took her fragile position. Purple was for royalty alone, and on even the lowliest actor playing the grandest Queen, it would not be tolerated.
“I’m not taking it, but we will have the rest if I agree to the terms.”
“You may have these things even if you don’t. I’ve no use for pretty dresses and prettier words.”
Bennett removed the velvet, returned the scripts, and shut the chest. Seating himself atop it, he said, “The job is a simple one. It has come to my attention that my name is on a list. I want you to confirm that and make a copy.”
“Where?”
“Cambridge.”
“Cambridge!” Richard did not fancy that journey any more than the work when he got there. “It will take four days to get there and back, and that’s without the time spent doing the job. What is the company supposed to do while I’m gone?”
Bennett shrugged. “They’ve lived without you before.”
“We are only just back in London. I can’t leave now. Half the audience comes to see me, not the play.” It sounded vain, but it was true. Richard understood his own value to the company.
Bennett crossed his arms and stared at the floor. “I will reimburse them for any lost takings and do whatever else may be required for you to accept. I will even say please. This is personally important to me, and I won’t trust anyone else with the job.”
“More likely no one else is stupid enough to take it,” Richard snorted.
“I have asked no one but you. You understand the importance and the urgency.”
“I do not, but I am sure you will tell me.”
“I’ll speak no more until you agree.”
Richard eyed Bennett warily. He didn’t want to trust
him, but he could see the fear Bennett was fighting to conceal. Richard had sworn to protect him many years ago when he received Bennett’s ring, and though he hated him now, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
“Damn you, Bennett,” he muttered.
Bennett rose and hugged him. “Thank you,” he said, visibly relieved.
Richard shrugged him off. “Don’t thank me yet. You must pay me well, or I’ll not do it. And not just the clothes and the scripts. I want money too.”
“You shall have plenty of that, before and after the job is complete.”
“Be as generous as you like, because this is the last time I ever help you. After this, you may ask no more.”
“I swear it.”
A dull thud outside the door drew their attention. Richard’s breath caught, and he was unable to move. Bennett hurried to open it, but before he could touch the handle, Richard blurted, “Stay back! I’ve got my dagger. I’ll go.”
It bought whoever was outside only a few seconds, but Richard hoped it was long enough. He yanked open the door and found the corridor empty.
Bennett pushed past him and stalked across to the library. There he found William lounging in a chair, feet up on the table, reading a book. William jumped up as if caught when they entered, and he dipped his head submissively.
“Were you in the hallway?” Bennett asked him, his tone icy.
“Were you in the bedchamber?” William shot back, raising his chin.
Richard hated to admit it, but playing the jealous lover was a smart move. What a pity William had to rely on it after revealing that he’d been listening in.
“This is Master Goldfox’s home, and you will respect him in it,” Richard growled at William, playing along. “No matter your feelings for me or how you have seen me talk to him, I will not put up with a surly apprentice. We will discuss your behavior on the way home. Now come, help me with the load.”
“Wait!” Bennett roared before they could leave. “I’ve had no answer. Were you in the hallway?”
The First Act Page 13