Page 5 of Their Brazen Countess
“Well, I refuse to be left out of this business. Call me Arthur. Dunmere is so drab.”
She didn’t quite agree with him, but was not one to ignore a request when it came to someone’s name. “Very well then, Arthur it is.”
“Excellent!” Linc plucked the open book from Arthur’s hands and handed it to her. “I believe this is yours, Jo.” He hesitated a moment. “Jo the Wood Sprite.”
She laughed softly. “No, I’m not a mythical creature. Just a woman seeking a quiet place to…to read a book.” She hated that her cheeks had heated once more.
“Well, please do not let us delay any longer.” Arthur smiled at her. “Unless you’d enjoy the company.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I dare say you two are trouble, but I think I would enjoy getting to know you both. Stay.” Jo stopped and looked around. “Unless of course you have somewhere you need to be.”
Both of their faces lit up with pleasure. “We are precisely where we need to be, I think.” Arthur crooked an arm toward her. “Shall we find a place to sit and talk?”
“That would be lovely.” Jo placed her hand on his arm and looked up to find Linc on her other side with his arm similarly crooked. Pleased by all the attention, she tucked her hand into his arm as well.
They found a log and the men cleared a spot for her to perch. Then they book ended her and the three of them chatted for what seemed like hours. The conversation was easy, their laughter light, and Jo realized she had not smiled like this in…well, in years.
Finally, Jo shivered and knew it was time for her to head home. It would be growing dark soon, and she could not remain out here forever, even if she might wish to. As diverting as it had been chatting with the handsome lords, she would be expected at home. There were chores to see to or she’d suffer an overly harsh punishment.
Jo stood and turned to face both of them. “It was lovely meeting you both.”
They stood up, almost as one.
“We enjoyed meeting you, Jo.” Arthur placed his hand over his heart and bowed.
Good heavens, these two must devastate the London debutants.
“When may we see you again?” Linc asked as he stepped forward. “I fear I shall suffer a deep despair if you do not say tomorrow.” His jovial tone had her laughing at his dramatics.
Jo mock sighed as if so very put upon. “I suppose I could see you all tomorrow. I certainly wouldn’t wish to be responsible for you to enter a decline of despair.” She looked at Arthur. “Do you know where the old gamekeeper’s hut is on our property?”
“I think I know well enough to find it,” he nodded. “But why don’t we simply call on you at home?”
She hesitated. Could she have them meet her there?
No, her father would force the issue of marriage immediately. It would be mortifying for them to come there and have her father sound them out immediately for marriage. Besides, it had been terribly hard not to imagine herself pressed between them in the most inappropriate manner. She supposed it served her right for her choice in reading materials.
“I think it’s best if we steer clear of my parents for now. I’ll see you at the hut around noon?” Jo looked from one man to the other, something she had never felt before bubbling inside her.
“Yes!” Linc grinned. “Noon tomorrow.”
Jo leaned forward and pressed an impulsive kiss to Linc’s cheek before turning to do the same to Arthur. “I’ll see you both then.” And then she fled before she did something truly inappropriate and asked them to kiss her…both of them.
Chapter Four
The Next Day
ArthurandLincsetout once again to go hunting, but not before asking Arthur’s housekeeper to pack a picnic basket. She, of course, stuffed it with enough food to feed four, which was perfect as they could share their luncheon with their quarry.
It took Arthur a little longer than he liked to remember where the bloody gamekeeper hut was. But finally they found it, once they spotted the smoke piping up from the chimney.
With a knock on the door, they waited until Jo’s voice called out, “Come in!”
They opened the door to find her bent over as she fiddled with the fire across the room. They looked at each other and grinned before Arthur said, “That is certainly a fine way to greet someone, Jo.”
“Oh!” she shot straight up and spun around, her face beet red.
Arthur couldn’t be sure if her coloring was from the heat of the fireplace, being bent over, or because she understood the innuendo of his remark. Perhaps all three?
