Page 66 of Their Brazen Countess
“I love you both as well,” Jo assured them, feeling her heart swell in her chest as if it might burst. She truly loved them, and they had only ever tried to protect her, right from the first.
“In that case, Lady Josephine Marie Downs, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Of becoming our wife?” Arthur tipped his head to the side to indicate Linc as well. “We can’t both legally marry you, but we would like to have a second, private ceremony to acknowledge that we are both committing to each other, and ourselves to you, and you to the both of us.”
Jo’s hands shook as she sat there, trying to shape her answer. It was unequivocally a yes; she had been a fool in thinking these men would try to control her. They were not her father, nor were they either of her previous husbands. They loved her. They wanted her to be happy. So much so, they allowed her to make her own choices, even when they feared for her safety—and loved her enough to still take steps to ensure her safety.
What else could she say?
“Yes. Yes, I shall marry you both. And not for protection, but because I love you both and I want nothing more than to be with you forever. I…I’m sorry I allowed my past to cloud my view of the present, my view of you two, who have done nothing but try to protect me, to protect my freedom of choice at every turn. I shall love you both until the seasons cease to pass.”
Arthur hauled her into his arms and kissed her until he stole the breath from her lungs. Then he handed her to Linc, who kissed her thoroughly, if less rapaciously, but to no less devastating effect. When the kiss ended and Jo stood up on wobbly knees, she smiled at the two men who shared a passionate kiss. “Now I believe you need to get our patient home and into bed, and I have a wedding to plan.”
“As you command, my love.” Arthur nodded with a smile. “I shall ensure Emily sends for the ladies to lend you a hand with the arrangements.”
“Very well. I suspect assistance will be both welcome and necessary.” Jo smiled as Arthur helped Linc off the settee and down the hall.
She had much to accomplish if they were to marry soon, and soon it would need to be. Though she had forgotten to ask about guards, she suspected her protection would continue, whether or not it was discussed.
Chapter Thirty-One
The Next Day
JosatinEmily’sdrawing room as she met all of Linc and Arthur’s friends. They were legion.
At least it felt that way to Jo, after having so few friends in her life.
Honestly, Arthur and Linc were her first real friends. Growing up she had her sister, of course, but they were friends primarily because they had no one else. There were girls in the village, but they so rarely went to the village as her father felt it was inappropriate for them to socialize with those he deemed to be of a lower class. All of her very best friends were discovered in books.
As she looked about the room and tried to follow all the introductions, her head spun. Obviously, there were Lord and Lady Brougham, her hosts—Cooper and Emily had been so gracious to her. Then there was Lord and Lady Stonemere, Lord and Lady Wolfington, Lord and Lady Flintshire, Lord and Lady Portridge, Lady Carlisle, and Lady Hartfield.
Fortunately Emily had ordered tea, so everyone was getting settled as Jo furiously tried to commit names and faces to memory.
Lady Stonemere smiled at her as she sipped her tea. “I want to apologize to you, Lady Whitestone. I’m sure we are an overwhelming lot.”
Jo chuckled. “I must say, when Arthur and Linc said he would have the ladies come by, I was not aware they had an army of you at their disposal. And please, all of you, call me Jo.”
Lady Stonemere grinned. “Please call me, Theo.”
The rest of the ladies chimed in with leave for her to call them by their various preferred names.
“And while I would expect Linc to be so mischievous as to surprise you in such a way, I have come to expect better from my brother.” Emily lifted one eyebrow as she let her gaze drift over to the two culprits.
“Well, we were rather focused on securing a yes from her this time. I suppose the details got lost in all the excitement.” Arthur shrugged.
Emily and Theo both snorted.
“Well, regardless, it sounds as if we have a wedding to plan,” Theo said through her laughter.
“Indeed, and while you might think I’d be an old hand at this after two husbands, I honestly left each of my weddings for my mother to arrange. They were not of my choosing, and so I had little interest—but not this time. I wish very much to put my stamp on this one, and I can’t do that with her involved. I shall gladly take any assistance you have to offer.”
Jo’s cheeks warmed as she pushed aside her worries about a third marriage. The feeling of being cursed wouldn’t leave her, though she was working on pushing past the idea. She was deeply in love with both Arthur and Linc, and they loved her, so marrying them—or at least, legally marrying Arthur—made complete sense.
“Before we delve into fripperies and decorations, we need to discuss a few other concerns.” Arthur broke into the conversation before the ladies could get started.
“Concerns? What other concerns?” Jo looked at him, curiosity overriding her joy.
He set his teacup down on the mantle of the fireplace where he stood. “You and Matthew are still at risk. If yesterday proved nothing else, it is the lengths Lord Downs will go to—and I believe Matthew is the greater target.”
Jo’s stomach flipped as his words took root. “I thought our wedding would solve that issue?”
