Page 40 of Their Brazen Countess
Arthur rolled his eyes at his silliness.
Jo laughed. “Of course you are, Linc. Perhaps we could meet in the park soon?”
“That can be arranged,” Arthur said. “You tell us when and where, and we shall be there.”
“Excellent!” Jo looked more than pleased. Then she glanced at the clock on the mantle. “Damnit, it’s getting late. I had best dress and get home. Matthew shall be up from his nap soon, if he isn’t already.” She stood and began sifting through the clothing piled on the floor.
Linc rose and pulled on his trousers, then turned to her. “I make an excellent ladies’ maid.”
“If I recall correctly, you most certainly do.” Jo turned her back to him with her corset pressed to her middle. He deftly laced her up then helped her with the remainder of her clothing.
Arthur had dressed himself and laid Linc’s clothes on the settee so he could quickly don the rest while Jo repaired her hair as best she could.
“I’ll ring for Harris to bring her cloak.” Arthur said.
“Thank you. I’ll dash up to my bedchamber when I return home to make sure I am fully presentable.” Jo worried her lip.
“I’ll have my butler bring the carriage around so she needn’t walk,” Arthur said as the pair worked on setting themselves to rights.
A short while later, Jo stood in the foyer once again and they were politely bidding her farewell. Once she was bundled into the carriage, Linc turned to Arthur. “This really happened? It wasn’t another drink driven dream?”
Arthur smiled. “It happened. I don’t know where this goes, but she appears to be back in our lives. I hope for good?”
Chapter Twenty
Josatinhernursery playing with Matthew, the young Marquess of Whitestone. Though he was all of four years old, her son was extremely smart. More endearing than that, he looked remarkably like his mother. The only feature her son had taken from his father was his Romanesque nose.
He was busy stacking blocks and gleefully knocking them down when a knock on the door sounded.
Bell entered and executed a perfunctory bow. “Lords Dunmere and Lincolnshire are here to see you, my lady.”
“Thank you, Bell. Please see them into the salon and I shall be right down.” She dismissed the butler as she stood. “Abigail, I believe it is time for his mid-morning nap.”
“Very good, my lady.” The young woman curtsied before kneeling down on the floor to help Matthew put his toys away.
Jo stepped into the hall and found a looking glass where she peeked at her reflection to ensure her coiffure was in good repair. With that, she quickly made her way downstairs to greet her guests. As she all but ran into the salon, stopping so swiftly that her skirts swished about her ankles, she couldn’t help but grin at the two men she saw.
Of course, she knew it was them, but her joy at seeing them once more was difficult to contain. “Linc, Arthur, don’t you two look wonderful today?”
Linc grinned at her. “We do look rather smart today, don’t we?” He smoothed down his blue silk waistcoat as though very pleased with himself.
“You really are too much, Linc,” Jo laughed, and shook her head as she made her way to the bellpull.
“Ignore him. He’s feeling very pleased with himself.” Arthur grinned. “You, on the other hand, look lovely.”
Heat swept into her cheeks as she absorbed the compliment. She very much wished to throw herself into his arms and demand a kiss. Instead, she turned as a housemaid entered the room. “Harriet, please have Mrs. Bell prepare tea.”
“Of course, my lady.” The maid curtsied then scurried away, closing the door behind her.
Alone at last, Jo quickly moved to hug Arthur, who wrapped her in his arms and kissed her warmly in greeting. Not to be outdone, Linc was there to collect her with a similar greeting.
“Please sit down, won’t you?” She waved them toward the settees and chairs grouped in the center of the room.
“How are you feeling?” Arthur asked. The way he narrowed his gaze suggested he was concerned about her answer.
Jo dipped her head with a small smile playing across her lips. “I am well, if a bit sore.”
Link darted a worried gaze toward the door. “Were we too rough with you?”
