Page 56 of Their Brazen Countess
“Yes, my lady.” They bowed and stepped forward to where Bernard stood, mutinous and angry.
When they laid hands on him and began backing out of the room, Bernard yelled, “You bloody bitch! I shall be back!”
Jo listened to him screaming all the way down the hall and out the front door. Satisfied that all was well, she dashed off a note to Arthur and Linc, letting them know the confrontation had occurred and that it had gone smoothly, then headed upstairs to check on her son.
That evening, Jo had Matthew brought downstairs to have an early dinner with her. They were sharing a lovely roast pheasant with potatoes, carrots, and asparagus, the last of which Matthew was refusing to eat. The boy was ever one to avoid his vegetables.
“Now Matthew, if you don’t eat your asparagus you can’t have any dessert,” Jo urged him to eat.
“No. I don’t like it.” He pushed the unwanted vegetable away. Then a speculative look twinkled in his eye. “If I eat more carrots instead, can I have dessert then?”
She stopped to consider. It wasn’t an unreasonable trade-off. “Fine—” A loud bang sounded in the entryway. She rose and went to the door of the dining room to see what was going on. There she found Bell and her two largest footmen scuffling with three men while a fourth stood by, watching.
Jo gasped, drawing the man’s attention.
“My lady, I suggest you tell your servants to stand down before they are injured.” The man had black hair so coated in pomade that it sat slicked to his head, paired with an ostentatious mustache which made him look rather villainous if he wasn’t so physically attractive.
Before Jo could say a word one footman, Richard, was knocked on the head with a rather intimidating club. “Stop it! Bell, Jeffrey, stop fighting!”
The men continued to tussle a moment more, then everyone stopped. Bell straightened his livery, as did Jeffrey, but they ceased the scuffle.
“Now, what on earth is this all about?” Jo demanded as she straightened her spine and stared at the stranger.
That was when Bernard walked in. “Is everything sorted out, Richardson?”
“Not quite yet, my lord.” The man looked at Bernard with a little distaste, then returned his focus to her. “My lady, I apologize for the disturbance, but Lord Downs has hired us to serve as guards for you and your son. Your servants did not give us an opportunity to explain. We have been hired due to an apparent threat to your safety.”
Jo sniffed indignantly. “The only threat to my safety is the one posed by you and your men working on behalf of my odious brother-in-law. I am in no need of guards, you four may be on your way.”
The man cleared his throat and looked from her to Bernard uncomfortably.
“I think not, Lady Whitestone,” Bernard stepped in. “I received a report of a credible threat against the life of your son today. I have hired these men out of an abundance of caution. They will attend to you wherever you go.”
“And as I told you this afternoon, Bernard, I am in control of my finances. You are not. I suggest you leave and take your lackeys with you.” Jo pointed to the door, ensuring that her hand did not quaver.
Bernard closed the door behind him. “I’m afraid that is not how this shall play out, my dear. We are here to stay.”
“Are you then? And what of Agnes? Won’t your wife miss your overbearing hide?” Jo glared at him, furious, yet there was a large pit in her stomach as she watched her staff unable to protect her.
“Never you mind about my wife. Agnes has a choice, be pushed aside and replaced or get on board with my plan.” Bernard glared at her.
“What do you mean pushed aside?” Fear skated down Jo’s spine like icy fingers.
“I mean, she can be replaced by permanent means.” Bernard paused for a moment as if just hearing himself. “Well well. Maybe that is the better solution? I get rid of my wife and marry you. Then you and the brat are under my control.”
Jo gasped. Shock and horror tumbling through her. “You can’t force me to marry you.”
Bernard laughed. “My lady, of course I can. There are parsons who can be—shall we say—persuadedto marry a man and a woman without asking too many questions.”
Fury and desperation clawed at her throat, nearly choking her. Then she drew in a dep breath and calmed herself. She had one last avenue to thwart this man. “Gentlemen, I hope Lord Downs has paid you in advance, as he is not solvent beyond the quarterly allowance which I provide him.” She stared at the men pointedly.
The one called Richardson cleared his throat. “I’m afraid we insisted on payment up front, my lady.”
“I could double his fee for you to leave,” Jo tried again.
“I’m afraid the promise of the long-term work outweighs the short-term gain you offer, my lady. I’m a man of my word.” Richardson tried to smile apologetically, then he shot a look of distaste at the man who had hired him. Regardless of his dislike of the man, he appeared prepared to follow through on his agreement with Bernard. What little physical appeal Richardson had was instantly lost.
Jo’s heart pounded in her chest as she considered what she could do without risking anyone’s life or safety. Her staff would be safe as long as she complied. She could figure out how to get away from these thugs later. She had to remain here to protect Matthew. “I see. Very well then. I am going to finish my dinner with my son.”
