William looked across at him, chewing his lip. Richard would have given anything to kiss him again right then.
“You shall have to enjoy me in other ways,” William said.
That was something, but it would have to wait. “I told you, there’s none of that on the road.”
“Why not?”
“It’s bad luck.”
“Is that all? When I left my village, I decided I would make my own luck,” William retorted, a little more confident again.
He probably thought highly of his success in getting to London and securing a place in Richard’s bed. It would be fair to point out that William’s luck had apprenticed him to a spy, made him a criminal, and put a false charge on his head, but Richard wouldn’t do it. The lad had hurt him, but Richard had no desire to wound him in return by listing his failings.
“Your luck has run out,” he said gently. “And mine has been gone for years. I’ll enjoy you all night long when we are safely tucked into bed together back in London, but I do not indulge myself when there is spy work to be done. Things went wrong the last time I tried it. That was the day my rival ended up dead.”
“There is all the proof I need that my luck is gone,” William huffed. “Another week without coming off will be pure torture.”
It was long past nightfall when they reached Bishop’s Stortford and stopped for the day. Richard managed to secure private quarters at an inn, and they both ate good suppers before retiring to their room. Richard declined a pallet for William, pretending he could not afford the extra farthing, and they slipped into bed together gratefully.
Richard had no idea how much time passed, but despite the long and tiring day traveling, he could not sleep. William apparently felt the same.
They lay still and silent. Richard wondered if the lad waited for him to nod off so he might satisfy himself. He tried to guess whom William would think about and hoped it would be him, even if William now realized he’d never truly been in love with Richard.
Reminding himself of the confession brought him down a little, but it was for the best. No good would come from a love affair between them. And he’d only just met William, so it didn’t tear into him the way Bennett’s earlier declaration of love had; it merely bruised. In a few weeks, when the shine wore off and William was just another handsome youth he knew, he might feel better, but it was probably too late for that. Richard anticipated that the bruise would only grow bigger and ache harder. He had fallen in love quickly, something that had only ever happened once before in his life, when he was eighteen. That had lasted sixteen years. If Richard lived sixteen more, he doubted he would ever love another man again.
He concentrated on William’s physical attributes instead in an attempt to lift his mood and give him pleasant dreams.
William’s body was perfect, muscular but not bulky, obviously built by hard work on the farm and a healthy diet. His arse was well rounded, his cock long, and thick, and delicious. His face was handsome, his manner pleasing, but his passion for Richard was what had really made Richard fall for the lad. After two years of bedding none but Nick, William made him feel desirable again, and more than that. For the first time in his life, Richard felt lovable.
Despite all, it wasn’t that which had captured his heart. Richard had begun to fall in love with William in bed the previous morning, but watching him walk into the unknown that afternoon truly won him over. Here was a man who could potentially understand and even embrace all parts of Richard’s life. Even the undesirable ones.
William still wanted him physically, and that was something. It was infinitely better to have the body of the man he loved, than have the heart of a man who refused him. Richard had needs too.
William rolled over and looked at him. “You’re not asleep,” he said in a hushed voice.
“Not yet.”
“What are you thinking of?”
Should he tell him? William had asked. “I’m thinking of how lovely you are,” he confessed.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
The lad appeared delighted, even if he wasn’t in love anymore. Richard wondered if he saw it as a validation. He had won. That was all right; Richard was used to losing.
“I’m thinking of how lovely your mouth and hands are,” William whispered.
Richard chuckled quietly, unsurprised William chose to take the conversation in that direction. “Look at my hands,” he said, holding them up. “Small and bony, nothing to speak of. I’ll give you that they’re skilled at lovemaking. Many a man seems to have enjoyed them.”
“And your mouth too?”
“Yes, amongst other things.”
They both giggled, and William shifted a little closer to him.
“Do you like my hands?” William asked.
Richard felt William’s fingers lace between his own and clasp him tightly.
“I like all of you.”
“You’ve not had all of me yet.”
“I will.”
William sighed lightly as he murmured, “I hope you do like me. Unlike you, I’ve no proof I’ll be any good. You know you’re the only man I’ve ever touched, ever kissed.”
Perhaps that was part of Richard’s interest in the lad. He might be mistaking possessiveness for love. That could not happen. It wouldn’t be fair.
“You’re young,” he said wistfully, “there will be plenty of other men, believe me. I am but the first of many.”
William snuggled a little closer to him. Richard felt William’s hard cock press against his thigh through their hose.
“Take me tonight. I don’t want to face danger without knowing what it felt like to have a man inside me.”
Desire pierced Richard, and he stiffened, but he could not give in. He’d suffered enough bad luck already and had no need to court any more.
But he did need William. He was desperate to hold him and kiss him again, to feel the heat of the lad’s bare skin pressed against his own. And he wanted more—to see William’s face look up at him as the lad knelt at his feet, just before Richard enjoyed the warmth of his mouth and the skill, or charming lack thereof, of his tongue. He wanted to bury himself deep inside William’s body and then give up his own arse in return.
William was right. They had no idea what they faced, though Richard didn’t expect danger unless they were caught. He didn’t want to regret refusing William, but he would regret it more if he lost him later.
Perhaps if the request were accompanied by words of love, he would have relented. It needn’t have been true meant, just convincing enough that he could enjoy it. When William said it that first night, Richard had been shocked, but now he longed to hear it again. Bennett had been correct when he said Richard snatched at affection. But why shouldn’t he? He was just a man, and most seemed to crave it.
Richard didn’t respond.
Eventually William continued. “Please. I know you can feel me. I need you. It will be hard all night and all day tomorrow, and it will distract me. Do you want me to die with this throbbing between my legs?”
Unable to help himself, Richard laughed. “No man ever died for wanting a lover. If you need a reason to stay alive, then I promise I will do so many things to you when we get back to London. I’ll do new things, things that will make your eyes roll back and your head spin with pleasure. But you have to wait.”
William let out a grunt of frustration and rolled away from him, onto his back. “How long will this take?” he muttered.
“A week. Two at most.”
Another grunt. “I will have baubles as big as my head.”
“Good. We will be able to exhibit you as an oddity when we arrive in Cambridge, and that will help us get into the college.”
William didn’t laugh. “Is it bad luck to make myself come off?” he asked seriously.
Richard’s breath quickened. “I don’t know.”
“Now we will find out.”
It took all Richard’s effort and will not to pounce on W
illiam, but he could not stop himself from looking, though there was in truth little to see in the dark. William kept his hand beneath the blanket and didn’t even glance at him, keeping his eyes shut the whole time. This wasn’t a seduction, he just wanted satisfaction, and this was a glimpse into his most private world where he achieved it alone. Watching him was more arousing than if he had undressed before Richard and looked into his eyes.
The fire’s orange glow lit William’s face, showing intense concentration followed by absolute pleasure. As a smile spread across Richard’s face, he wondered if he looked the same.
His own cock ached to be touched, but he let it be. If he was going to come off, he would have done it with William. He was too superstitious to risk the mission without the reward.
William left the bed to find a rag to clean himself. When he returned, he cuddled up to Richard and murmured good night. His breathing slowed and deepened a minute later when he fell asleep.
Richard kissed his nose gently and then allowed himself to doze off too.
Chapter Sixteen
TWO DAYS passed, and when they arrived in Cambridge late in the afternoon, William was tired from the walk. He had at least slept well the night before, although the bed was not as comfortable as their one in London. He could only hope he got such a good night’s rest that evening as he expected the following day to be busy.
Richard got them a room at an inn, but they didn’t do any more than stable the horse before they went out again, this time looking for one of Richard’s acquaintances. Richard walked with purpose, but William found he could do no more than trudge along beside him, trying not to fall behind.
“Where are we going?” he asked wearily.
Richard was scanning his list of contacts and didn’t look up as he replied, “We’re going to meet a man I haven’t seen in many years.”
“Must we do it now? It is almost dark, and we have been traveling all day. Aren’t you hungry?”
“I’m hungry and tired with it, but this is the best time to catch the man.”
Richard tucked the papers away in his doublet. He didn’t look hungry or tired, despite the long walk. If anything, he appeared invigorated. When their eyes met, William saw the same nervous energy in them that he himself had felt back at the bookshop and when he was on stage.
“Who is he?” he asked, as the excitement of the job returned to him.
“Roger Danbye. He is an important man in your new world. He recruits undergraduates to spy for him.”
“Scholars are spies?”
“Some. It’s much more civilized than anything I ever did, or most of the other spies I’ve worked with, for that matter. Danbye prides himself on that. He’s Bennett’s rival.”
The goldsmith probably had plenty of those. “I like him already,” William replied wryly.
Richard chuckled. “You don’t have to like him. You’re not going to meet him.”
“You said I was to be involved.”
“And you shall be, but you will make a terrible spy if you want everyone to know it.”
He was right again, and William accepted the comment silently. “Am I to listen in?” he asked, focusing on the task at hand instead of his shortcomings.
“No need. I’ll tell you everything I know when we are done. Just wait in the hallway. I want him to know I have an extra man for stage work if that is to be my way in. I don’t want him to think you’re a spy.”
There was a certain thrill in hearing himself described that way—William Moodie, spy. He hadn’t even known that people were employed to do such things until a few days ago, and now he was on his way to see one of the most important men in the country. Well, he was on his way to sit in his hallway.
“What will I be doing at the college?” he asked, hoping for something a bit more inspiring.
“I don’t know yet. That depends on Danbye. I won’t be revealing our mission to him, but he might still give me something useful if I can spin a good yarn. If he can get us in for his own benefit, then we can do Bennett’s job at the same time.”
So Richard did not expect Danbye to know anything about the list…. “Why would Bennett send you to his rival?”
“He didn’t. He has provided me contacts, but I’ll use none of them unless we’re desperate. In fact, I would rather they don’t know we’re here. If Bennett does want you arrested, then any one of them could be looking for us. It would be better to rely on our wits than their help.”
To William, that seemed sensible, but he wasn’t sure his wits would have taken him to a man so similar to the one they were trying to escape. “Is this Danbye safe? If he is worse than Bennett, then this could be an even bigger mistake.”
Richard looked at him seriously now, all cheer gone. “He knows Cambridge better than anyone and can open any door. If I’m careful, he might be the best help we can get.”
“And if you’re not?”
“I would prefer not to think about that.”
They walked on in silence until Richard stopped across the road from a large redbrick house. It was close in size to Bennett’s and could boast plenty of large windows, but that was where the similarity ended. It had no embellishments bar a few Tudor roses, no nods to the current architectural fashion.
“That is his home in the town,” Richard whispered to William so no other would hear. “Danbye ought to be in by now. He has numerous jobs—justice of the peace, recruiter and master of spies, and he takes time for his own gentlemanly pursuits. He spends his evenings ‘entertaining’ undergraduates, although you couldn’t call the gatherings lively. They all sit around talking about Catholics and Puritans and gossiping about the court, most of whom they have never met.”
William thought Richard seemed to have a lot of details about a man he claimed was his lover’s rival.
“How do you know all that?” he asked. “Did you spy on him?”
“I let him recruit me once after an argument with Bennett, and I soon learnt his habits. Needless to say, my employment didn’t last.”
“And you’re sure you want to go to him now?”
“I don’t want to. It’s the best plan I’ve got.”
That was the other thing that troubled William. “What exactly is the plan?”
“In the past, I usually arrived with the company, someone having suggested a performance. That is how Danbye would expect to see me, which is why he must be made aware of you. I want him to know I’m still in that world, but as there are only two of us here, I will have to offer my services another way. I need him to think I’m desperate to avoid Bennett, not that I’m working for him.”
They approached the house together. Richard appeared nervous, while William acted casually bored. They both had parts to play, and William’s was no problem. Sitting in the hall wasn’t going to be terribly stimulating. He could only hope Richard was already in character.
Richard knocked on the door, and it was answered a minute later by one of the servants, who seemed surprised to see him.
“Master Brasyer!”
“How are you, good man?” Richard sounded friendly enough, but his face showed the strain.
“As best I can be. Come in, sir. I will fetch His Worship.”
They entered the house and took seats in the gloomy entrance hall. The servant lit a lamp for them, but the space was large, and the wood-paneled walls provided little in the way of illumination.
William gazed into the darkness around him, feeling ill at ease. He did not show it, and he ignored Richard fidgeting beside him. He expected to be left alone while Richard was ushered into a room to see Danbye, but that did not happen. They waited together, the master given no more courtesy than his boy, until the justice eventually arrived in the hallway, carrying a larger lamp.
William knew him immediately as the head of the house, his fine dress and look of contempt at their appearance at his door proving it. Danbye was well into his fifties, heavyset, with hollow gray eyes that matched his ashen hair. Even in the dark
, William could see the shadow of a beard on his face. He looked tired and unwell.
Ignoring William, he addressed Richard with resignation. “Brasyer? I assume you’re not here for my society.”
Richard stood and bowed deferentially. William copied.
“Your Worship,” Richard greeted him. “Are you well?”
“Well enough to stop Goldfox from expanding, if that’s what you’re here about, though I’m not sure there’s anything for him here. Undergraduates need more than full purses if you want them to work. Flattery is still the currency in these parts.”
William may not have liked Bennett, but he got the impression he was better than Danbye at that. William kept his eyes turned to the floor but looked up when the justice asked, “Who’s this boy?”
Danbye’s tone was suspicious rather than interested the way Bennett had been.
Richard turned to introduce him. “My stage apprentice. He has come to learn the Fenland accent.”
“From me?” Danbye snorted.
“I brought him only because I did not want to leave him alone at our lodgings. He is not a worldly youth.”
“He can’t have been your apprentice very long, then,” Danbye muttered. “He’d better stay here.”
William returned to his seat in the dark, and Richard was led away.
RICHARD FOLLOWED Danbye through the dimly lit house. He’d not stayed there long, but he remembered the dark rooms and the dour decor well. It had been something of a shock after living in Bennett’s home.
He was taken to Danbye’s study, which was well illuminated by a roaring fire. He was offered no seat and noted his host chose to remain standing too. This would be a short visit.
Danbye waited for him to speak. Richard knew he would have to choose his words carefully, though he felt he was at no risk from this man. He just didn’t want to give away too much.
“Have you heard from Goldfox?” Richard never referred to him as Bennett with Danbye.
The First Act Page 17