Page 37 of Their Brazen Countess
Sucking in a breath of the cool spring air, Jo braced herself and knocked…and waited. It seemed to take forever for the butler to answer the door.
Finally, it swung open, revealing a middle-aged man wearing simple but elegant livery of black and white. “How may I be of service, my lady?”
She started at the honorific. “How do you know I am a lady?”
The man smiled serenely. “Your clothing betrays you, my lady.”
Her brows drew together. “I could be some rich nabob without a title.”
“You could, yet I would treat you with the same respect until you made yourself known to me.” The man let one eyebrow lift in punctuation. Then he waited.
Jo smiled. “Fair enough. Please would you tell Lord Dunmere that Lady Whitestone is here to see him, Mr.—” She handed over her calling card, unsure what to call the man at the door.
The man took her card and inspected it. “Harris, my lady.” Then he bowed before closing the door.
The next time the door opened, it was not Harris, but Linc. “Jo?”
She had been watching the people passing by on the street, so turned at his voice. “Hello, Linc.” She smiled hopefully and waited to see what he would say.
Before he could spit out a response, Arthur was there, pushing Linc out of the doorway. “Jo?”
Again she smiled, still standing there on the front stoop. “It’s me.”
Before she knew what was happening, Arthur was grabbing her hand and dragging her in the house.
She supposed she shouldn’t have been surprised to find the pair of them together. It seemed one was rarely found without the other, at least in her experience. Once the door was closed, she found herself being embraced then passed to the other man, over and over again.
Happiness fizzed inside her, bubbling up into a laugh Jo simply couldn’t contain. It felt so good to be welcomed with such warmth and affection after so many years apart. So many years spent pretending the barbs and icy animosity of her husband’s family didn’t matter.
Finally, Arthur set her back from him and blocked Linc from grabbing her once more. “Enough, or the poor woman will think we’ve gone mad.”
She laughed delightedly. “Never! You two were ever the most wonderful pair to spend time with. I couldn’t possibly think you mad.”
Linc grinned. “It is so wonderful to see you again.” He turned to Arthur. “But we are being poor hosts, making the poor thing stand here in the hall.” He turned back to her. “Please, take off your cloak and come sit with us.” He helped her remove her cloak and handed it off to Harris. The butler took the coat and turned to disappear. “Harris, send in tea and cakes, please.”
“Very good, my lord.” Harris bowed and departed into the bowels of the house with her cloak.
Jo was ushered into a beautifully decorated salon done in shades of green with dark wood trim. It was both masculine yet welcoming to the fairer sex, an impressive balance to strike. They arranged themselves on the various couches and chairs available so they sat in a perfect triangle that allowed them to see and speak with each other.
Just like old times.
“How are you doing?” Arthur ventured once they’d settled.
“I am well. Perhaps better than well now.” She offered a sunny smile that felt as though it would be perpetually plastered on her face when in the company of these two men.
Linc tried to look casual as he lounged in the chair across from her, but she could feel the tension emanating from him. “What brings you here after such a long absence from our lives?”
“Linc! That is no way to welcome our bosom friend back to us,” Arthur chided from where he sat, his deeper tones rolling through her and causing sensations she had long forgotten were possible.
Just then a sharp knock sounded, interrupting whatever response Linc had been about to supply. The door of the salon swung open, and a maid wheeled in a cart laden with tea and cakes as requested.
Nervously, Jo smoothed the deep purple sarcenet skirt of her walking gown.Would they wish to rekindle their understanding?Even if their amorous feelings had long since faded, she had cherished their friendship. But so much had changed, for them and for her. She did not wish to intrude where she was no longer wanted. After four years of feeling like an intruder, she wanted to be wanted.
Finally the maid had poured and passed out tea to each of them, as well as a plate with an assortment of delicacies to taste. Once they were alone again, Jo cleared her throat. “I am just out of mourning from my husband’s passing. And I wished to take the opportunity to renew a few friendships my marriage had not allowed me to maintain. If that is not a welcome turn of events, I completely understand.” She fell silent, her hand trembling as she lifted her tea to her lips.
Arthur glanced at Linc, who nodded slightly, then he cleared his throat. “I believe I speak for both of us when I say we would be delighted to renew our acquaintance with you. This is a very welcome turn of events.” Arthur smiled gently and took a sip of tea.
“I am thrilled to hear that. I was afraid that after so much time had passed, you two might have forgotten me. We knew each other for such a brief time.” Jo hesitated, not sure if she should say her next thoughts, but she was tired of holding her thoughts in after five years of biting her tongue. “But…but remembering our time together sustained me through the dark days of my marriage.”
