Page 53 of Their Brazen Countess
“I shall not be deterred. I shall review my accounts immediately or I shall take Lord Dunmere’s advice and move my accounts.”
The man blanched. “Very well, my lady.” He rang a bell which sat on his desk and a young, gangly man dressed in a clerk’s sleeve protectors and apron stepped in. “Higgins, please send notes around to my morning appointments that I shall be unavailable today. Reschedule at their earliest convenience.”
“Yes, Mr. Whitaker,” Higgins replied and slipped back out quickly.
From there, they reviewed the ledgers pertaining to her accounts. By the time they left Mr. Whitaker’s office, they had undone multiple decisions made by Bernard, including the firing of her previous staff.
Now she’d wrested control away from the grasping bastard, she needed to release his staff to clear the way for the return of her original people.
She just hoped this would be theendof the man’s interference.
Chapter Twenty-Five
ArthurledLincintothe study while Jo went to check on Matthew. Pouring each of them a drink before he sat down with Linc on the couch by the fireplace, Arthur murmured, “I’m worried this won’t be the end of things with Lord Downs. He was too sure of himself and far too bold for someone who would be the type to cower and run away at the first sign of opposition.”
Linc nodded and sipped his drink. “I agree. He bears watching. Perhaps we should call in the Lustful Lords for assistance?”
Smiling softly, Arthur looked at the handsome blonde man he’d come to love over the last few years. “I was thinking along those same lines. The ladies would be an excellent support for Jo as well, and her son.”
“Brilliant. I shall send a note around later asking them to meet with us here. I hope tomorrow isn’t too soon for them.” Linc’s face pinched in concern.
“I’m sure everyone who is available will come. We can fill in anyone not able to make it.” Arthur shrugged a shoulder. He then took another drink from his glass, letting the whisky burn as it slid down his throat. The warmth was welcome, even on a spring day.
“I must say, I found it rather stirring watching you deal with that bastard, Whitaker. Quite a masterful bit of maneuvering on your part.” Linc set his glass down and moved in to seal his lips to his.
Arthur groaned as he tried to set his glass down and missed the table. As he grabbed the back of Linc’s head to deepen the kiss, he heard the thud of the glass hitting the carpet. Hard chest to hard chest, their tongues tangled in an erotic kiss full of desire, need, and love.
Linc was trying to work his own coat off when a feminine gasp broke through their lusty kiss.
Arthur leaned around Linc and smiled at Jo. “Do come in.”
“I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Her cheeks heated, but she stepped fully into the room and closed the door behind her. Pausing, she turned the key.
“Interrupt? We were merely getting warmed up while we waited for you.” Arthur held out his hand to her. “I take it all is well with young Matthew?”
“Indeed. He’s taking a nap.”
She took his hand, and he drew her closer to them. “Wonderful. Now, turn around.”
Jo did as he commanded, causing his blood to rush through his veins as it made its way further south. Her acquiescence was heady stuff, indeed. Almost as heady as when Linc did his bidding.
“Help me unfasten her clothing.” Arthur glanced at Linc while he gave the directions and saw the light of desire flicker deep in his gaze as he nodded. They began loosening laces and unhooking things until they’d peeled Jo free of all but a thin chemise and her stockings. “Leave those. I like the look of her black stockings against her pearly thighs.”
Linc grunted in agreement as he finished working his coat free of his arms while Arthur did the same.
Jo turned around, still standing in front of them, her chemise nearly turned sheer by the fireplace behind her. “I enjoy watching you two together.”
Arthur stilled and glanced at Linc, whose eyes had darkened further at her words. “Would you…like to watch us do more than kiss?” Arthur asked cautiously.
They had generally focused on her since she’d come back into their lives, though they had not held back from kissing and touching each other. But did she wish to see something more? Perhaps one of them sucking the other off? Or would she like to see them fuck?
His cock throbbed at the idea of their Wood Sprite watching him take Linc’s arse.
“Yes.” Jo’s raspy reply seemed to be wrested from her lips but then she kept speaking. “I want to see you two together in every way you have been since we were parted.” She paused and Arthur swore her cheeks turned nearly magenta. “I often imagined you two together without me…” She hesitated. “I imagined you both when I was alone in my bed at night. When…when I gave myself pleasure.”
Linc cursed softly and suddenly stripped himself as if his very life depended on it. Arthur had to admit that though they’d both halted when she’d spoken, he was now racing his partner to see who could get naked first. They shed their last items of clothing nearly at the same time.
Arthur looked up at her standing there, hovering over them. “Well, Jo…your wish is our command.”
