The Actor and the Earl by Rebecca Cohen Page B

why you moved to the family house in London?”
    Sebastian wasn’t used to talking about such things, but instead of the usual desire to deflect the conversation, he wanted to speak to Anthony. “Yes. But it’s not Hewel property. My father’s debt meant our home in Portsmouth was sold, and we were sent to my mother’s brother—Claire’s father.”
    “I didn’t realize.”
    “Why would you?” asked Sebastian. “And I didn’t miss the house in Portsmouth when we had to move, but everything was sold with it.”
    “Everything?”
    “I had a toy ship—a replica of the Golden Hind . And we had to leave it behind. There wouldn’t have been any room for it in London, but at the time I was so angry.”
    William squirmed in his lap, and a misplaced foot connected with one of Sebastian’s most delicate of areas. Sebastian grunted in pain, and William giggled. Anthony scooped him up, and he let out a delighted, high-pitched squeal.
    “We really should be getting back to our guests,” said Anthony. He didn’t sound like he wanted to, but he called for the nurse. She returned and took William from him.
    “When would be the best time for me to visit William?” asked Sebastian.
    The nurse curtseyed. “He tends to sleep for an hour or so in the afternoon, and his usual bedtime is after supper, but other than those, any time is fine, my lady.”
    “Then I will come tomorrow. If you have no objection, my lord?”
    Anthony looked startled at the question. “No, no—please do.”
    By the time they reached the lawn, their guests had already gathered.
    “There you are,” called Eleanor. “Anthony, you and I will make a fine team.” Anthony offered Sebastian an apologetic smile as Eleanor grabbed his arm and pulled him away.
    “I am here only to watch,” said Elaine, who sat in a chair, her hands resting on her swollen belly, “but I’m sure Thomas would be happy to play with Bronwyn, if you wish.”
    “I would be delighted,” said Sebastian. “And what of you, Anne?”
    “This game is for the young—and Simon has agreed to partner my husband, who has temporarily forgotten that he is an old man.”
    Bowls was a game his father had played, and the majority of Sebastian’s good memories of the man were in one way or another linked to the game. Thomas, Simon, and Anthony were rolling a dice to see which of the couples would play first. With a triumphant punch to the air, Thomas turned to Sebastian and handed him the jack.
    “Ladies first,” he said with a grin. “Do you know the rules of the game?”
    “Oh, I have a vague understanding. I’ve played once or twice when I was younger.”
    Anthony caught his eye and raised an eyebrow. Sebastian ignored it and stepped forward to bowl. The ball glided over the smooth surface of the grass before coming to a halt. He then accepted a wood with a red spot and bowled it with an expert flare so it came to a stop in front of the jack with a gentle kiss.
    “Ho!” cried out Thomas. “My lady, you are a secret weapon.”
    “Maybe I am lucky,” said Sebastian with a wink.
    Eleanor decided she should go next. “Perhaps, Anthony,” she said, leaning in close, “you can show me the best way to do this.”
    Anthony was clearly mindful that Sebastian was watching him, and leaned away and held out a yellow-spotted wood. “Just try your best.”
    Eleanor snatched the ball, her smile tight. “Don’t blame me if we don’t win.”
    To be fair, Sebastian thought that Eleanor had tried to bowl properly, but the ball had left her hand in a haphazard way that caused it to roll only a few feet and in the wrong direction. Thomas clapped gallantly, applauding her efforts, but Anthony groaned at her ineptitude.
    Thomas and Anthony were both excellent players, and Anthony had a competitive streak which caused him to get further annoyed at Eleanor’s continued poor efforts. “You must be able to at least get the damn wood in the general area of the jack,” he