Page 30 of Their Brazen Countess
Chapter Fifteen
June 1862
ArthurleanedoverLinc’sshoulder, peeking into the hallway of The Market as they watched Matthew Derby, the Marquess of Flintshire, speaking to Mrs. Rosalind Smith in the hallway. They were speaking rather low and urgently when he waved at her. “We’re down here.”
Mrs. Smith was the widowed sister of Lady Julia Wolfington who had married their friend and fellow Lustful Lord, Grayson Powel, Viscount Wolfington. She looked past Flint’s shoulder and blinked. It appeared that she’d somehow missed the fact they were looking on. She grabbed Flint’s hand and marched him down the hall into the room they were leaning out of.
She quickly scanned the space before she dragged Flint over to a chair at the table and pointed. “Sit.”
Then she turned to Linc. “I need fresh water, bandages, and if they have some salve, it would not come amiss.”
Jokester that he could be, Linc saluted her smartly and marched out of the room.
Arthur stood there, watching everything unfold until she turned to him. “Pour me two fingers of brandy or whisky in a glass.”
He moved across the room immediately. As he was busy selecting a glass and pouring the requested drink, he could hear the murmur of low voices. It appeared Flint had been in pain since he’d arrived at The Market, fresh from another dockside bareknuckle fight. He carried the glass of whisky over and set it down on the table.
Flint reached for it, but Mrs. Smith swiped the glass filled with amber liquid before he could wrap his hand around it. “That’s mine.”
She tossed the contents down her throat and, handing the glass back to him, said, “A refill, if you please.”
“Mrs. Sm—”
She waved a hand at Arthur. “The next one is for medicinal purposes.” She turned her focus back on her patient. “And I do not mean for you to imbibe. I’m sure you’ve had quite enough to numb the pain already.”
Arthur returned to the sideboard to pour a second glass when the door of the room opened again and Linc appeared, followed by a small troop of servants who deposited their offerings on the table. He joined them, delivering the whisky as well.
“My lords, thank you for your kind assistance. Perhaps you could give us some privacy while I see to his injuries?” She looked first at Linc, then Arthur, and finally, she dragged her gaze to the door of the room in a clear request.
With a smirk and a nod, Linc nudged Arthur as he stood there in surprise. In short order, they hustled out the door.
In the hall, he stopped and looked at Linc. “Did she just toss us from our room?”
Linc laughed as he closed the door. “Indeed she did. But no matter—we have more important business to attend to. I saw a fine specimen downstairs. I think we should grow better acquainted with her, if you’re game to try again? Something light and fun, as we discussed.”
Arthur swallowed and nodded. It hadn’t taken either of them long to grow comfortable with each other. Perhaps too comfortable. And as much as he enjoyed being with Linc, he was curious if adding a woman to the mix ever again would be possible. He couldn’t help but wonder if what they found with Jo was an anomaly.
But then, this would be something light. Fun. Not an actual candidate for their third.
In the main salon, Linc led him over to an attractive blonde sitting amidst a bevy of admirers. “Miss Samantha, may I introduce my good friend, Arthur?”
He took her hand and bent to kiss it. “A pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh my, I believe the pleasure is all mine.” She spoke with a soft American accent that held a drawl he knew came from the southern part of the country. It was enchanting.
“Might we invite you for a drink with us, in a more private setting?” Linc suggested, to the dismay of more than one man who had been paying court to her.
“As long as Madame has approved that, I’d be happy to join you.” She simpered from behind her fan.
“Give me a moment to secure a room for us.” Linc nodded and moved away. As he passed Arthur, he murmured, “See if you can help her extricate herself.”
“Of course.” He nodded and looked back to Samantha. “Miss, may I help you stand?” He leaned over and offered her his hand.
“Thank you, my lord.” She smiled and rose. “Gentlemen, it has been very diverting to sit with y’all. I do hope y’all will come back to see me real soon.”
The men stood as well and bowed slightly. Once Arthur had her free of the group, he could see she was a petite woman, though not as much as their Wood Sprite had been.
Pushing the wayward thought away, he focused on the lovely woman at his side. “Have you been in London long? I don’t recall seeing you here before.”
