Page 63 of Their Brazen Countess
“Jo,” Arthur started, drawing her out of her thoughts. “Under the current circumstances, Linc and I both feel it is important that you marry. Doing so would offer you and Matthew the protection of my name, as well as assuring us all that we can be together for the rest of our lives.”
Jo flinched and looked at the man who sat across from her, before darting a glance at Linc, who sighed and shook his head.
“Bloody hell, Arthur. You certainly cocked that up.”
Jo’s breath rushed back into her lungs as she laughed.Linc was not wrong. Good heavens, Arthur was excellent at many things. Kissing, making her come, and definitely dirty talk. But the man had no idea how to propose to a woman—not that she was going to say yes.
She was done allowing her circumstances—her age, her family’s financial status, her family’s need to climb the social ranks, her need to protect her sister—to dictate her relationship status. The question was, would Arthur and Linc understand that? Or would they be like every other man in her life and try to control her?
Her gut clenched at the thought and her resolve was strengthened. “My answer is thank you, but no.”
Arthur shot a glare at Linc, then turned back to her. “What do you mean, your answer is no?”
“I mean, I shall not marry you merely for expedience nor for the protection of your name. I have been married twice now. Twice I have been in less than satisfactory marriages for mercenary reasons, because of circumstances I often did not have control over. Each time I have paid a price in the end. If I marry again, it will be for love and it will not be one sided.”
Arthur tipped his head back and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Linc’s right. I’ve completely botched this.”
“Arthur, I am not rejecting you, or Linc, for that matter. I am simply rejecting marriage as an instrument for achieving one’s goals in life. I care for you both deeply but I have no intention of marrying anyone simply for protection.” Jo’s heart squeezed in her chest.She cared for them?Dear heavens she loved them both, but she wouldn’t make such an admission now. Not in the face of such a proposal.
She glanced back and forth from one to the other, trying to decipher their reaction.
“Jo, we care for you as well or we would never have suggested marriage.” Linc looked at her with a tenderness in his eyes that spoke volumes.
“Yes, we care for you—no, I love you, and I’m sure Linc does as well. We want to spend the rest of our lives with you,” Arthur said earnestly as he slanted a frustrated look at Linc.
“I believe we can do so without the construct of marriage.” Jo clutched her hands in front of her. Doubts warred with her fear of making another mistake when it came to marriage. What if she married him and something terrible happened? The feeling of being cursed in marriage—if not love—haunted her.
“We could live as bohemians and flaunt all of society’s strictures, certainly. But what we cannot do is protect you from men like Lord Downs without that construct. We cannot avoid the censure of Society without the construct of marriage. It would shield us, the three of us, from the majority of scrutiny. We want to be with you, but we do not wish to damage Matthew’s prospects nor your reputation,” Arthur tried to reason.
Jo took a deep breath. “My answer is still no. I’ve never cared what Society thought and I still do not. I refuse to live my life in fear. If Lord Downs should try to force me to marry him—and I have serious doubts he would try such a thing, despite his threats—I shall take action, but until that comes to pass, I shall live life on my terms. I’m done with men dictating the circumstances of my life, even you.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I’m sorry.” Jo turned and fled the room, unable to remain there a moment longer.
“Well, that didn’t go at all well,” Linc said as they stood alone.
“No, it didn’t. In fact, I’m not sure it could have gone any worse,” Arthur growled in frustration and shoved his hands in his hair before dropping into a chair.
“It wasn’t a no forever. I think our poor Jo has had her hand forced so many times by the men in her life, she wants to go into a marriage knowing she chose it. And really, we did not give her much in the way of declarations of love.” Linc shrugged a shoulder.
Arthur’s heart ached in his chest. Linc was right. He’d cocked up the whole thing. He should have waited; should have dropped to one knee with flowers and a ring and poured out his heart…not just declared their marriage as a tactical objective in their battle plan to defeat Lord Downs. He sighed and closed his eyes. He was a bloody arse.
Linc knelt before him, wedging himself between Arthur’s legs as he cupped his face. “Arthur, look at me.”
Clearly wishing to wallow in his despair for a few moments longer, he refused to look at his lover.
“Arthur.” Linc’s tone was commanding, so much so, that Arthur cracked his lids open. “You love Jo. We need to focus on protecting her for now. Then we can make things right with her.”
This man humbled him. Arthur nodded and sucked in a deep breath before he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Linc’s. The kiss was nearly chaste, just a perfectly firm pressure until he slid his tongue along the seam of Linc’s lips before pulling back. “The question is, how do we protect her? Despite her inability to understand how determined Lord Downs is to reclaim the family title and fortune, we shall have to find a way to protect her outside of marriage.”
“Very true. Well, I suppose we shall start by having one of us following her at all times. If you should like to take the first shift, I shall send around to the Lustful Lords and organize some sort of schedule to ensure she is protected at all times.” Linc jerked on the lapels of his coat to ensure it lay correctly after their reverential kiss.
“Very well. I shall remain here to start—send someone as soon as you can and I shall help you where I can.”
Together, they walked out of Brougham’s house. On the street, Linc climbed into the carriage they had arrived in and rode away and Arthur headed down the street a bit in search of a shadowed doorway he could lurk in for a bit. He’d have to find a better location later, but for now, whatever he could find would do.
The most important thing was protecting Jo.
Chapter Thirty
Jolookeddownather son and smiled. It felt good to be out of confinement—even well-meant confinement. The sun was actually shining as they strolled down Bond Street on a beautiful spring day. Emily had kindly allowed her to use their carriage, which now lurked behind them despite all the traffic. With her son’s hand in hers, she appreciated the sense of normalcy and hoped it was a hallmark of her life returning to normal.
