Page 68 of Their Brazen Countess
“Not at all. I know a thing or two about being avantgarde and navigating interesting family members.” A serene smile graced her face as she sat back and took a sip of tea.
Julia clapped her hands. “Wonderful! Ladies, you are invaluable with your guidance and suggestions. Now on to the easier topics. We need to decide flowers, what our beautiful bride will wear and, of course, a menu.”
Jo sat back in awe as the ladies continued to run through the gamut of decisions which needed to be made. All along they sought her input, and she was pleased with everything once they were done.
The wedding was planned.
Arthur looked at all the men in the room, one after another, as Linc stood beside him. “I cannot say how much I appreciate you all being here for Linc and I. That said, I am afraid that around the clock protection seems to be in order. When they are here with Cooper, I’m confident that will be enough, but should they absolutely need to leave, as limited as that may be, two of us should watch over them.” He certainly hoped all of the wedding arrangements could be made by Jo and the ladies from the safety of Cooper’s home.
“Agreed.” Linc nodded, pleased with how his partner was handling the conversation. “We’ll cover what we can, but will certainly need you all when we cannot.” Linc shifted and winced. “Which for me is the next few days. I fear my adventures yesterday have left me in less than full health.”
Everyone murmured agreement.
“I am concerned about Lord Downs. Have you considered approaching him to warn him off?” Stonemere asked.
“We intend to do just that, but feel it is best left until after the wedding,” said Arthur firmly. “Until she bears my name he will be a problem, and I see no point in alerting him to our plans prematurely.” He glanced at Linc for his concurrence. He nodded, in full accord on this point. After all, they’d discussed this at length the previous night.
“Very well.” Stonemere gave a curt nod. “Then we shall have to be extra vigilant until the wedding.”
“Thank you.” Linc drew in a deep breath and clenched his teeth against the pain. “Fortunately, the wedding is only a few days away—unless the women have run away with wedding planning in the other room.”
The men all chuckled. They all knew their women were a lot of things, but they were not socialites to the extent that the wedding would take weeks to pull together.
At least, Linc hoped not.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Two Weeks Later
Linctookanotherlookat himself in the looking glass before turning to Arthur. “Nervous?”
“God, no. The planning took longer than I’d hoped—procuring that bloody special license was excruciating—though I am glad your injury had time to heal. Now I’m just ready for her to be ours.” Arthur’s grin stretched from ear to ear.
Linc felt a pit in his stomach.Ours. He loved both of them, but unwanted doubt crept in again. He’d willingly let Arthur marry her so his family line could continue, but it didn’t stop the feeling of separateness from creeping in. Jealousy was an insidious thing, a craven thing. He squashed it down ruthlessly. “As am I.”
“How do I look?” Arthur brushed his fingertips down the front of his morning coat.
“Handsome enough to sweep our Wood Sprite off her feet.” Linc couldn’t hide his smile.
Arthur pulled him in for a kiss. Their lips met as their tongues tangled in a fierce display of dominance. Linc liked to fight a little and make Arthur work for it. Finally, the man was pinned against his body, his growing erection pressing against his as he surrendered to Arthur’s claim. The doubts and ugliness of moments before faded into obscurity.
A knock on the door broke their kiss.
“Come in.” Arthur rasped out as they each fought to regain their breath.
Emily stuck her head in the room. “The guests have started to arrive. You should come down soon.”
“I’ll go.” Linc reached up and cupped Arthur’s face. “I’ll give you two a moment.” He slipped past Emily as she stepped into the room and closed the door.
Arthur couldn’t believe the day had finally come. He was getting married, to the two people he loved most in the world. As he watched his sister move into the room, his heart swelled with affection for Jo, Linc, and, of course, his sister.
“Don’t you look handsome in all your finery?” Emily smiled as her eyes filled with tears.
“Tears, Em?” Arthur’s heart lurched.She wasn’t upset about his choice, was she?
“Tears of joy.” She dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. “I never thought this day would ever come. The way you kept dodging the marriage mart, I expected you to be a lonely old man—or I had thought that, until you found Linc. Now I’m just overjoyed for both of you that you found another person to add to your family.”
Arthur opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace. It felt good to have his little sister there with him as he embarked on this new part of his life. “Thank you. None of it would have been possible without your prodding and bullying.”
