Page 49 of Their Brazen Countess
“My lady, there has been an accident in the nursery,” the butler that Linc did not recognize announced solemnly.
“What? Oh, my God—Matthew!” Jo jumped to her feet and rushed out of the salon, leaving Linc and Arthur to follow in her wake.
They all rushed up the stairs and followed her flight up to the third floor and into the nursery. As they crammed through the doorway, they found Jo sitting on the edge of her son’s bed, occupied by a crying boy. A nurse hovered nearby, looking less concerned than Linc thought was proper, under the circumstances. After all, the boy had clearly been injured while under her care.
Jasper the new butler walked in a few moments after them at a much more sedate pace.
Linc looked back over his shoulder at the man. “Has a physician been sent for?”
Jasper nodded. “Yes, my lord.”
“Very good.” Linc was glad to hear that even if Jo’s staff were spying on her for Lord Downs, they were at least properly trained.
He nudged Arthur, and together they moved closer to Jo and Matthew.
The boy looked pale and scared as he cradled his arm. “I was heading downstairs when—” He cast a nervous glance up at his nurse. Linc couldn’t see her face, but the boy went a shade paler. “When I suppose I tripped a-and fell down the steps.”
“Oh, how scary!” Jo whispered as she kissed her son’s tear-stained face. “Does your arm hurt terribly?”
He cradled it against his chest protectively and cast a glance about the room at all the adults. Then he thrust out his little chin, full of bravado. “Only when I move it.”
Linc sighed internally and repressed an inappropriate grin. Poor stupid boy; lying about the pain wouldn’t make it any better, and it likely would only make his softhearted mother more apt to coddle him. Not that she could blame him.
Arthur coughed and then stepped closer to Jo. “Perhaps you should send the staff on about their duties. I’m sure the doctor will be here soon.”
Jo looked up in surprise, clearly not having registered all the other people in the room. As they had been listening to Matthew tell what happened, a few maids had filtered into the room, and it was starting to feel a little crowded. “Yes, please, all of you should go back to your duties. Thank you for your concern but everything is fine here. Jasper, bring the doctor up as soon as he arrives.”
“Very good, my lady.” The stiff man nodded and ushered the gawkers from the room.
As he tried to shoo the nurse out, Miss Kelley huffed. “My duties are in this room.”
Linc shot her a considering look. She didn’t seem at all distraught about what had happened.
“I’ll look after my son for the moment. Your services are not needed here,” Jo said, with an air of authority that had Linc’s cock standing up and taking notice.
Ignoring his lecherous thoughts, he stepped aside as the nurse left the room, clearly put out that she had been dismissed.
Curious, Linc eased around to the other side of the bed and looked at Jo. “May I?”
“Of course,” she agreed, though she looked confused.
“Matthew, think back to before. When you explained what happened, you seemed to hesitate. Was there something you wanted to tell your mother that you felt you couldn’t?” Linc asked gently.
“Well,” the boy hesitated, glancing at the door where everyone had departed.
Arthur walked over and closed it with a thud. “There now. It’s just the three of us.”
Matthew nodded. “I…I felt someone push me. I didn’t trip at all,” he said firmly as his mother gasped. Then confusion appeared to cloud his resolve. “But I don’t know who it might have been. Nurse was in here putting my things away. I had slipped quietly out the door because I had heard Uncle Linc and Uncle Arthur were here. A maid came up here to tell my nurse.”
Jo reached out and stroked his face. “Well, don’t you worry about it. Mother will figure out what happened. For now, you need to hold still until the doctor arrives, then I think you shall have whatever you like for dinner.”
A knock on the door sounded and Jasper entered. “The doctor, my lady.”
Linc and Arthur retreated downstairs as the doctor tended to Matthew’s arm. The doctor had determined in short order that it was likely broken and so sent for his casting materials.
Arthur paced his agitation, making the movement jerky. “I should marry her.” He raked a hand through his hair.
“I quite agree you should, but I don’t think she or the boy are ready for that change.” Linc held up his hands in a universal sign of helplessness. “She’s barely out of mourning, and it wouldn’t look good to the gossips in the Ton.”
