Page 43 of Their Brazen Countess
“Thank you.” Her hands fluttered up to her cheeks to try to cool the twin flames that heated them. “I apologize for dropping in unexpectedly.”
“Nonsense!” Linc smiled warmly at her. “I don’t think we’ve formally met your companion.”
“This is my son, the Marquess of Whitestone.” She gently took her son by his shoulders and nudged him forward. “Matthew, this is the Earl of Dunmere and Baron Lincolnshire.”
“Hello.” Her son greeted them shyly.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Lord Whitestone,” Arthur said formally and bowed to the boy before ruining the whole display with a wink.
Matthew giggled and tucked his face into her skirts.
“Well, I certainly hope you two plan to spend the day with us. If not, Linc and I shall be forced to do some very dreary grown up things instead.”
Jo hesitated, hating to intrude on their entire day. “I don’t know.” She bit her lip.
“We were promised an outing to the park, if I remember correctly. And I believe there is a circus that has taken up residence in Hyde Park. They have a large tent with lions, and tigers, and bears!”
Arthur’s excitement was contagious and spilled over to her son. “Mummy, may we please go?”
“Yes mummy, may we?” Linc looked down at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
She laughed. “Well, we wouldn’t want to force these two into dull activities they’d rather avoid. So, yes. We shall go to Hyde Park and see the circus!”
Linc carried Matthew in his arms ignoring the small pang of memories long past. The sweetness of the boy asleep reminded him of his late sister—a memory he resolutely pushed aside—as they returned to Arthur’s townhouse. They’d spent a delightful afternoon at the circus watching the little boy grin and laugh at each new animal or act that appeared in the center ring. Jo had smiled the entire time as well, which made his heart squeeze. She was still a beautiful woman, maybe more so now. Motherhood agreed with her, not to mention the changes it had wrought on her body. Her breasts were fuller now, her hips more rounded, and her arse had filled out. He had fallen for the Wood Sprite, but found himself just as enchanted by the lush woman they were rediscovering.
Inside the house, Jo reached for her son. “I should get him home.”
Arthur took one of her hands and turned it palm up as he planted a kiss in the center. “Stay?”
It was both a demand and a question, one that resonated with Linc as well.
“I can have Nancy sit with him as he naps in the nursery.” His dark gaze bore into her, revealing the need and desire he felt. Linc knew because an identical flame lived within him.
“You have a nursery?” Surprise colored her question.
Arthur smiled, a sultry grin which made Linc’s cock take notice. He recognized the look as one redolent with erotic promise.
“I do. Between my sister’s child and the other of our group’s children, it seemed reasonable to have a place for them to sleep when we all gather here. Will you stay?” Arthur pressed another kiss to her palm.
Jo sighed softly as she watched his lips on her skin. “Yes,” she whispered on a gentle exhale.
“I’ll take him upstairs if you’ll send Nancy to me?” Linc started up the stairs.
“She’ll be right up. Then you can find us in our room.” Arthur’s voice rumbled with desire.
Linc carried the boy into the nursery and had just tucked him in one of the small beds when their housemaid cum nursemaid, Nancy, appeared. “I’ve got him, my lord.”
“Very good, Nancy. Please let us know when he wakes up.” Linc nodded and left her to her watch.
He slipped into their bedchamber—he and Arthur slept there most nights—hiding in the shadows as he quietly closed the door. There he found Arthur and Jo in a passionate kiss, and hesitated. Were the dynamics shifting? Was he becoming extraneous?
Arthur looked up, breaking their kiss. “Don’t lurk there in the shadows, Linc. We need you.”
Warmth filled his chest as Linc strode forward, and Jo turned into Arthur’s arms as though she’d been waiting for him to come. They both had.
With her body pressed to his, Linc sought out her mouth. Tentatively, Jo slid her tongue along the seam of his lips, seeking entrance. With a groan, Linc let her in and tangled his tongue with hers. She whimpered and melted into his body as Arthur worked on unhooking her bodice. As it loosened and gaped, Linc drew it down her arms, momentarily breaking their kiss.
Arthur unfastened her skirt and untied her petticoats, letting them puddle around her ankles. Linc unfastened her corset cover and peeled it off her arms as Arthur spun her around and took her mouth in another searing kiss, Linc continuing to work her laces loose on her corset. Finally peeling the restrictive layer free, they had her down to her pantalettes and chemise. Linc untied and let her drawers drop with the rest of the fabric puddled at her ankles.
