Page 62 of Their Brazen Countess
Linc chuckled softly. “I beg to differ. You are a bit of a brooder. Obviously you should be the one to marry her, legally.”
“What makes you say that? Why am I the obvious choice?” Arthur knew Linc was a good choice to be Jo’s husband. He was kind and patient, but he also made her laugh, and he’d be wonderful with Matthew.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You are far more disciplined than I am, which is good for both her and the boy. You love her deeply. And you need an heir to carry on the family title. She could give you that.” Linc shrugged.
“You need an heir as well.” Arthur couldn’t help but point out the obvious.
“I have other male family members who can carry on the title—and mine is a minor title. Your more elevated title will offer her and the boy more protection and, most importantly, you need an heir, or the Dunmere title is passed on to some distant relative.”
Arthur bit his lip and hesitated, but he could not remain silent. He needed to voice his concerns. “But…but won’t you feel left out?”
Linc stepped back into his embrace and wrapped a hand around the back of his neck as he pressed his forehead to his. “Do you love me?”
“You know I do.” Arthur rasped the words out as emotion bubbled up from within.
“And I love you. And I love Jo, who I believe loves me. That is all that matters,” Linc said, low and with such fervor that Arthur wanted to believe him.
And yet he could not ignore the doubt.
“That is all that matters,” Arthur agreed and reached up to grab Linc’s lapels to bring their lips together, plunging past his lips to seek out the heat and warmth he knew he’d find within.
Their tongues dueled as each one fought for dominance in the kiss. Finally, Arthur rotated them until Linc’s back was pressed against the side of the fireplace. Heat seared their sides from the fire as the heat of their passion burned between them.
As his own cock took notice, Arthur drew back from the kiss. “You know the hard part of all this is going to be convincing Jo we should wed.”
Linc panted as he tried to recover from their kiss. “No doubt our little Wood Sprite will fight this tooth and nail—but together we can overcome any objections and help her see the wisdom of this course of action.”
“I hope you have the right of it.” Arthur said and kissed him once more.
Jo was wearing a borrowed day gown that was a lovely shade of soft green. It was a trifle tight across her bust and hips and came up a bit short, but with her own petticoat underneath, she made it work. She was in the nursery with Matthew, ensuring he was doing well. He had barely been fazed by their late-night adventure and sat playing happily with Emily’s two children.
A maid entered and curtsied. “My lady, Lords Dunmere and Lincolnshire are here to see you.”
Pleasure wove through her as Jo fought the urge to jump up and run downstairs. “Thank you. Please tell them I shall be down momentarily.”
She stood up and went to her borrowed bedchamber. There she took a moment to compose herself and ensure her coiffure remained in place. Then she made her way down to the front salon. Jo stepped inside the room and found Arthur, Linc, Emily, and Cooper all together. “Good morning.”
Arthur stepped forward and swept her into his arms for an embrace and a kiss. Then he passed her to Linc, who followed suit. Jo’s cheeks heated as she stepped away to find Emily and Cooper serenely ignoring the entire exchange as though it were an everyday occurrence.
“I must thank you all once again for everything you’ve done for Matthew and I.” Jo smiled at all of them.
“It is nothing we wouldn’t do or haven’t done for any of our friends.” Emily smiled back.
“Speaking of our friends,” Arthur said, drawing her attention to him. “The rest of them will be here to greet you later this afternoon.”
“I would be pleased to meet them.”
“In the meantime, there is a matter Linc and I need to discuss with you.” For some inexplicable reason, Arthur looked nervous. “Perhaps we should discuss this privately.”
Emily and Cooper stood. “Of course. We just wanted to be sure you didn’t need anything else,” Cooper said.
“I do not, and thank you,” Jo assured them.
“Then we shall see you all later when the others arrive.” Emily smiled and followed her husband from the room.
Jo’s heart raced as she waited to hear whatever it was Arthur and Linc wished to discuss. Perhaps they planned to wash their hands of her after all the recent excitement? They’d helped her escape, but she certainly couldn’t blame them if that was where they wished to leave it. Bernard would clearly go to any lengths to control her—even violence.
She shook herself mentally; that kind of thinking was such tripe. They were obviously good men, and she knew in her very bones that they would move heaven and earth for her.
