Geoffrey balked at the idea. “He’s only been apprenticed to you a few days, and this is an awful lot of money. Are you sure you want to do this? Don’t you have family to leave it to?”
“I’ll be back,” Richard replied, ignoring Geoffrey’s words. He would rather not discuss his family, and it wasn’t like they needed the funds. “This should be easy money I’m earning. I tell you this only if I take sick or fall from my horse. I don’t want to leave you encumbered by your cousin. Train him up, teach him a bit of responsibility, and then let him play the lead where he can. He’s handsome, and that will draw a crowd if nothing else.”
He picked up one bag with three sovereigns inside and handed it to Geoffrey. “You must look after all the rest, but this one is a gift for you. Spend it or keep it, it’s yours now.”
Geoffrey peeked inside the purse and closed it back up.
“Thank you, but I shouldn’t accept this, not knowing how it was obtained. I believed you when you said you were done with all that. You promised you weren’t going to see Bennett again.”
Richard wondered which time Geoffrey referred too. He had promised it often enough over the years.
“Once you’re in, you can never truly get out, but this is absolutely the last time. I’ve more to think of than myself now.”
“You have. I would never have brought William if I’d known.”
“I know. But I’m grateful you did.”
Geoffrey had relented, but he didn’t look like he believed Richard at all. “So you have decided you fancy him?” he asked, referring to William.
“I fancied him from the moment I saw him.” Richard smiled for the first time that morning at the memory.
Geoffrey rolled his eyes, but he was smiling too. “I understand. We Moodies are handsome men. Some might even say irresistible.”
William certainly was. “Would you be angry if I told you that I’m falling in love with him?”
“No, not angry,” Geoffrey replied, with grudging acceptance. Then he softened and said, “You’re still risking your life for the last man you loved. You’d better do the same for him.”
Even after days of conflict, Richard was reminded why Geoffrey had been his best friend for so many years. He felt himself beaming, despite the situation.
“Thank you. It means a lot to know I have your blessing.”
“It didn’t stop you when you didn’t have it,” Geoffrey snorted. “But I’m pleased to give it now. Just don’t go telling him right away. He will follow you to the gates of hell if he believes he has your heart.”
“I think that’s his plan regardless.”
Shaking his head wearily, Geoffrey said, “I don’t know what to do with him. He seems to think sneaking around is a grand adventure.”
“You once felt the same.”
“Not for long, but it was fun while it lasted.”
Richard was mindful that he needed to be on the road soon and didn’t have time to reminisce. “This brings me to the second thing I need from you. You must leave William locked in here, just for today. Don’t even let him go to the theater.”
“My pleasure. I don’t want him running off any more than you do.”
“Thank you. I know it means more work for the company—”
“We’re going to need a different play today!” Geoffrey gasped in realization, practically jumping up off the stool. “I better go sort things out.”
He made for the door before returning for the purses. “Best not leave these lying about,” he said. “I suspect there’s more here than we’ll take at the theater the whole time you’re gone.”
“Lock them up with my savings,” Richard instructed, “and send William back in here if he’s not run off.”
When Geoffrey left, Richard collected his things and took up his sword and dagger. He hoped he would not need them; he generally used them just for decorating his person, but he knew how to wield both. Bennett had seen to that training and given him the opportunity to use them in combat.
William entered a few minutes later, looking pleased with himself. It was a stark contrast to the previous night and indeed that morning. Richard didn’t trust his mood.
“Hollo,” Richard said, standing to greet him. “You seem happy this morning.”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“I’m going away. Won’t you miss me?”
“Not a bit,” William replied with a smirk.
Richard knew he should be wary of William’s intentions, but he couldn’t resist his good mood. Allowing himself the pleasure of playful teasing, he said, “I thought you were cunt-drunk. Have you sobered up?”
William looked into his eyes and breathed. “You’re as intoxicating as ever.”
One of them was still love-sotted, but Richard knew it wasn’t William. Still, he could not hide his delight at the words, even if they were meaningless. “Come here,” he murmured. “Kiss me so I may leave you tipsy, and you will not be able to follow.”
William went to him, and they embraced. His lips brushed Richard’s only briefly before he pulled back. “Take me with you, and there will be more tonight,” he promised.
“There’s none of that on the road.” Richard drew back abruptly. He had bargained for affection too often in his past to enjoy it now. But despite himself, he nearly gave in. Resolve abandoned him when William was around, but danger strengthened his will. He had to get away from William for both their sakes. “I should go.” He collected his things together and slung the bag on his back. “Geoffrey will provide your board while I’m gone. There’s some spending money here for you too.”
He pressed five shillings into the lad’s hand. It would buy him a very good time if he chose to remain in London. Richard hoped it was incentive enough for him to stay.
William looked at the coins and then tucked them into his purse. “Thank you.”
Richard kissed him again and pulled him close enough that he could feel William’s cock hardening through their clothes. His body responded in kind, and his heart with relief. There was a comfort in knowing he owned that part of William, even if he didn’t have his love.
“I will miss you,” Richard said.
Then he was gone, out the door before William could even say good-bye. In the corridor, he hesitated only a moment before putting the key in the hole. His lover would be angry, but he would be alive too. That was the most important thing.
He locked William in.
Richard hurried downstairs, not inclined to stick around and hear William’s protest. Stepping into the bar, he found Bennett seated at a table with a large breakfast spread in front of him.
“Richard!” Bennett called as Richard walked through the door. “Come and eat.”
He was hungry, but he wasn’t going to waste time with Bennett. He wandered over to examine the fare, and when he was close enough, said, “Thank you, but I must get on the road. I’ve a long journey. I’ll just take some of this with me.”
He helped himself to a loaf of bread and some slabs of roasted meat, stealing some bites as he loaded the food into his bag. Bennett caught his eye, his expression betraying a hint of nerves.
“Is this all safe to eat?” Richard asked, pausing midchew. “I know you were expecting William.”
“I would not poison your boy,” Bennett replied, but he looked away uneasily. “I think he might be too useful for that.”
“He won’t spy for you. Especially not if I’m the target.”
Bennett cast his eyes about the room. No one was paying them any attention. There were too many voices chattering for anyone to be aware of their conversation.
Appearing satisfied, he replied, “A pity. Your boy gave me the impression he might be quite good at it.”
Richard reached into his bag to find the two flasks they’d been given the previous evening and filled them both from the ale jug. Then he took a seat next to Bennett, though he didn’t intend to stay. He had only one thing to say, but he would do Bennett the courtesy of sayin
g it discreetly.
Leaning closer, his voice low, Richard said, “William will have no time for spying, but he will likely be good at a lot of things I’m going to teach him. I’ll fill him up with my knowledge, and he will do the same for me in return. That will be a joy in itself, but what makes me happiest is that I will never need your mastering again, no matter how many years we are apart. And we will be apart. There is no room for you anymore.”
Richard took a sip of his ale and tried to enjoy the discomfort on Bennett’s face. He was disappointed to find he could not. He’d hoped for anger or even petulance from Bennett. Instead, for the first time, he saw Bennett truly unmanned.
Bennett shook his head as if to clear it. Then he looked Richard in the eye. Voice strained, he said, “I didn’t come here to confess, but I may as well if your intention is to cut me from your life for good. I thought much upon your words last night. My feelings have perhaps not been clear, or maybe they were too clear when you were young and I didn’t have the same regard for you as I do now. I didn’t know when you were eighteen what you would be like at twenty-five, or thirty, or today. You are the one regret in my life. I wish I had loved you better.”
It was too late. Richard could not believe it now. “Loving me at all would have been a start.”
Bennett appeared pained. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“I already agreed to take the job and took your coin. You needn’t keep up the pretense. I don’t work for crumbs of affection anymore.”
“This is no charade. I cared for you when you were young, but I have been deeply in love with you these last nine years.”
Abruptly Richard rose from the table, legs knocking the edge in his haste. His heart thumped, and he felt sick with anger. Of all the lies Bennett ever told him, this one hurt the most. “This would have worked two nights ago, but not now and never again,” he hissed. “And you can find another man to go to Cambridge. I am sick of being your fool.”
Bennett remained in his seat. He stared at the table while he calmly said, “Please, Richard. Hate me all you like, if that is what you think I deserve, but you must do this job. There is no one else I can ask. I don’t care if you empty my pockets, you must do it.”
Before Richard could refuse, Bennett looked up and said, “Here’s your apprentice. Maybe he will have something to say.”
Chapter Fourteen
Five minutes earlier
RICHARD’S KEY rattled in the door, and William immediately went to work.
He’d turned over Geoffrey’s room searching for the spare key, but hadn’t found it. He did, however, discover a spectacular ballock dagger, its gold hilt encrusted with jewels and the scabbard decorated with a delicate filigree. Thinking it might prove useful, William slipped it into the back of his hose and covered the handle with his shirt.
Now he threw it into his bag and gathered up everything else he owned before sitting down at the table to check through his purse. He had the five shillings Richard gave him, plus another five he’d brought from home, which was a lifetime’s savings. He judged it was more than enough to get him to Cambridge. Finally, he hurried to the window. Too far to jump, but he had another idea.
He opened it and was relieved to see Sam already in his usual position. “Oi, Sam!” he shouted down to him as if they were friends. “Have you still got that penny?”
The street seller appeared thrilled to see him. “For you? Any day!” he called back.
“I’m trapped in here. Help me down.”
Sam crossed the road to the inn and put down his basket. He turned over a large empty beer barrel that stood outside and climbed on top. “Hang out the window, and you should be able to reach my shoulders.”
A few people stopped to look at what they were doing, and William hesitated. He didn’t want to end up being accused of thieving, particularly not with Geoffrey’s dagger in his bag, but he had no other choice.
“Come on,” Sam said. “I’ve got you.”
“Is there a fire?” one of the bystanders shouted up to William.
“No,” William called back as he climbed out the window. “My master locked me in.”
“Who’s that?”
“Richard Brasyer.”
There was a ripple of laughter, and William reddened. For the first time since he’d arrived in London, he felt ashamed of what he was.
His feet touched Sam’s shoulders, and he let go of the window ledge, immediately bringing his hands to the wall to take his weight as he crouched down. His helper swayed beneath him slightly but remained upright, and soon William was clambering down his body and they were both jumping off the barrel.
Show over, the bystanders walked away. Sam picked up his basket again.
“Thank you,” William said. “I owe you a big favor.”
Sam shrugged. “So you’re an actor?”
“Yes. That’s why I was in the dress. I play the girls.”
“I’m not getting that suck, am I?”
“Not today, but you can have my name if you still want it. I’m William.”
“Not today? That’s a promise for later,” Sam said with a wink and a smile.
William made no actual promises but thanked him gratefully again before he said good-bye. They could be friends, if nothing else. Both were chancers and obviously had more in common than that.
He turned his attention back to the matter at hand.
Bennett’s carriage remained outside, and, having no idea which way Richard would have gone, William decided to go speak to him. He would hold his tongue, even bow and scrape if he must. If he could just find out where Richard would be staying the night, then he could make his way there and meet with him. By then it would be too late for him to return to London, and Richard would be forced to take him along.
Stepping inside, he looked around for Bennett and found his table. William was shocked to see Richard was still with him. He tried to step back outside, but it was too late. Bennett had already spotted him by the door and was waving him over. A moment later, Richard was looking at him too, his face twisted in anger.
William shrunk back against the wall. Even when Richard had believed William stole from him, he hadn’t reacted like that.
“Come here, boy!” Bennett called to him merrily, as though totally oblivious to Richard’s displeasure. “Your breakfast is getting cold.”
William approached slowly, head down. He knew Richard would be annoyed when he turned up unannounced, but he hadn’t imagined this. He expected his master to lash out, but when he arrived at the table and looked into Richard’s eyes, the rage appeared to be under control. William saw nothing but unshed tears.
“What are you doing here?” Richard asked. His manner was stiff, but William was no longer worried.
“I’m coming with you.”
“Then come with me upstairs. The job has been canceled.”
William was unsure whether or not this was a trick to lock him up again, but he could do nothing but follow.
Then Bennett stood, drawing their attention, and bowed deferentially as he indicated an empty stool.
William knew he was being mocked. “I thank you, sir, but I must go with my master.”
“He can wait a moment while you dine.”
“Thank you again, sir, but I am not hungry enough to eat.”
Bennett sat and their eyes met. The man’s gaze narrowed, just for a moment, before he relaxed back into his usual easy manner. “Please, allow me the pleasure of your company.”
William didn’t know how to refuse without being openly rude again, so he sat. Richard stepped around behind him and put a strong, possessive hand on his shoulder. Immediately, William felt comforted and thankful too that Richard’s ill temper was not because of him. He didn’t seem to be able to escape his desire for Richard’s good favor any more than he could escape his desire for his kisses, his hands, and his mouth.
“I have a gift for you,” Bennett said amiably. “Richard forgot to take it last night.”<
br />
William thought quickly. It had to be the purple velvet he’d heard them discuss. “Forgot?” he asked carefully. “I know he refused some fabric you offered, but when we checked the trunk, nothing else seemed to have been forgotten.” Richard’s hand gripped his shoulder, so William added, “He told me himself when we were in our bed last night. He said you offered it to me for underwear, but that he prefers me not to wear anything at all.”
Bennett’s smirk turned to a snarl. “Richard, how does your apprentice know the details of our private conversation?”
“He asked me about the costumes, so I told him. He knows nothing more than that,” Richard replied.
William kept his eyes on Bennett, but he thought Richard sounded convincing enough.
“I see.” Bennett helped himself to a slice of meat from the table, tearing off a piece and popping it in his mouth. William watched him eat leisurely, wishing he would be dismissed. When Bennett had eaten his morsel and wiped his mouth, he shouted, “Watch! We need the watch in here! There’s a thief!”
The drinkers fell silent and turned around to look at them.
“What are you doing?” Richard growled.
As ever, Bennett was unperturbed. He pointed at William and loudly declared, “This boy has attempted to steal my most precious possession from me.”
“Don’t do this,” Richard said, pleading now.
Bennett shook his head. “He must be punished for what he has done. But don’t worry, I intend to be lenient. Whipping will do for me. If I can persuade them not to hang him.”
William was numb, realizing too late that he should have stayed in the bedroom and waited. Better yet, he should have stayed in the village. This wasn’t the romantic adventure he’d anticipated.
He felt Richard’s hand on his arm and stumbled backward as Richard dragged him from his seat and toward the door.
“Come with me. Now!” Richard ordered.
William was pulled back into the moment. They ran and stopped abruptly outside the inn, where a horse waited. Richard snatched the reins from a startled footman’s hand and clambered up onto its back.
The First Act Page 15