Much Ado About Lady Macbeth by Rebecca Cohen

Author:Rebecca Cohen [Cohen, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-07-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

David hung back as he saw a woman talking to Jacob. A few feet behind her stood a man who was keeping an eye on their interactions. That must be Rosemary, the future Mrs Milner. She was pretty, no that was unfair, she was a beauty. Her pale skin was flawless, and her dark eyes were the sort of thing Master Shakespeare might immortalise in a sonnet. He’d always been attracted to both men and women, and his mind unhelpfully placed him into the middle of a passionate clinch between her and Jacob. If he’d not been aware of Jacob’s preference he would be now, because if he had the slightest desire for a woman, then Rosemary Fairmount should have triggered it. Instead, Jacob appeared as if he wanted to bolt.

Even in the midst of their arguments, Jacob hadn’t been so standoffish. The passion in the barbs they’d traded, and that kiss… He swallowed hard. He tried to forget, but he couldn’t. No matter which way he examined it, he wanted Jacob. They’d talked, bantered really, even thrown an insult or two but in such a way he hoped was playful.

Rosemary was smiling, there was no sign of the wanton strumpet Jacob had run away from, quite the contrary, she was demure, almost shy. Someone called Jacob’s name and he turned away. In that instant, Rosemary’s demeanour changed, she glanced back to her brother who pulled a face and rolled his eyes. Her expression was hard and calculating, and then it was gone. A flash of familiarity hit him, and he thought he’d seen her somewhere before but for the life of him, he couldn’t place her.

He hung back, he had intended to catch up with Jacob, persuade him to come for a drink since several others were heading to a nearby tavern, and then monopolise his attention, but he held back. Not that Jacob was interested in Rosemary, but if David did press his suit it might cause complications. They would always need to be careful, and secretive, but the addition of a wife made it more difficult.

“Mr Bell.” Sebastian appeared at his side.

“Mr Hewel.”

“I need to speak with you. I have to be in Holborn to meet his lordship in a little while, but I have some time.”

“I…”

“Unless you have a prior engagement.”

He glanced to Jacob, who was back in conversation with Rosemary. “No, let us get a drink. Some of the players are heading to The Anchor.”

“Then let us go to The Rose instead, I don’t have the time or the patience to be pulled into the chaos that will surely erupt with you lot out drinking.”

“I’ve seen you drink with us before.”

“But not tonight. Today is the anniversary of the date I first met Crofton, he wishes to mark the occasion, and I know better than to turn up drunk. He can be a grumpy fellow if not pandered to.”

The fondness was undeniable. “Then The Rose is the better option. Their beer is not so strong but does not taste like bilge water.

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