Page 74 of Their Brazen Countess
A few minutes later, he returned and granted them entrance. “Lord Downs will see you in the study.”
Neither spoke as they followed the servant into the house that had once been Jo’s home, and down the hall. Normally they had visited Jo in the drawing room, so this was a part of the house they had not seen previously. The butler knocked on the door and announced them.
They entered to find Downs sitting at the desk in a dark, wood paneled room. He didn’t bother to stand up as they walked in. “Lincolnshire. Dunmere, I hear congratulations are in order.”
“That is why we came to see you.” Arthur stared at the man from where they stood.
“Me? I can’t imagine why your marriage would necessitate a visit with me.” Downs leaned back in his chair, smugly casual.
“I am almost certain you can imagine why a visit with you is required now Jo and I are married,” Arthur said flatly.
Linc listened and watched, hoping he wouldn’t need to intercede. Downs was needling Arthur in a most unhealthy manner, and it could all change in a moment.
“I’m afraid I really don’t. I’m pleased Josephine has found a…protector.” The man clearly strove for an innocence which did not ring true, considering what they knew.
Linc smirked. “I’m sure you felt something at her recent nuptials, though pleasure is a bit of a stretch.”
“I believe I am offended by your suggestion. I like Josephine. I wish her only the best.” Downs spread his hands, as if that proved his sincerity.
Arthur snorted. “Regardless of your nonsense, I wanted to make it clear where things stand.”
Linc’s heart pounded in his chest.This was where things would get dicey.
Downs leaned forward and rested his forearms on the desk. “And where precisely do things stand, from your perspective?” The tone of the question was decidedly less friendly than the rest of the conversation had been, but that was to be expected. Things were about to escalate.
“Jo and Matthew are now under our protection.” Arthur pointed at himself and Linc. “You will cease any attempts to contact them. You will cease any efforts to harm them.”
As inappropriate as it was, Linc found himself aroused by the forcefulness Arthur displayed. He took a deep breath and willed his cock not to thicken, trying to refocus on the conversation at hand.
“I do not know of what you speak. I have never attempted to harm Jo or my nephew.” Downs said flatly.
Linc couldn’t contain the grunt of disbelief. “You deny that you held her captive in her rooms for three days?”
“Ha! I believe she misunderstood what was intended as a protective measure.”
Another snort escaped Arthur. “Absolutely no one misunderstood your intentions in locking her and her son away. You will cease your pursuit or we shall end your activities ourselves. Permanently.”
Linc repressed a groan. Fucking hell, the man was stimulating when he got all protective.
“I’m afraid I’m still baffled by this threat of violence,” Downs reiterated with a wry smile.
“Regardless, know this is your first and last warning. My wife and son are not to be targets,” Arthur growled.
“Very well.” Downs said and slumped back in his chair once more. “And since I’ve done nothing up to now, I can assure you nothing will happen moving forward.”
Linc looked at the man askance. He played innocent, but he just didn’t believe him.
“Then we have an understanding.” Arthur nodded sharply and turned to go.
Linc fell into step behind him until they reached the hallway.
As they made their way out, Arthur looked at him. “I have my doubts about him. But I believe we should take him at his word—” they stepped outside “—mostly.”
They climbed back into the carriage. “Agreed. We should take him at his word for now, but that doesn’t mean we ever leave them unprotected. They belong to us.” Linc leaned over and turned Arthur’s face toward him. “My God your fierceness in there was arousing as hell.”
Arthur chuckled, instantly shedding the anger which had simmered while they’d been in there. He reached up, wrapped a hand around the back of Linc’s neck, and kissed him. Their tongues met and tangled, slipping over each other as they took comfort in each other’s touch. They separated, pressing their foreheads together as they each caught their breath.
They would face this situation shoulder to shoulder. Together, they would protect their woman and their son.
