Chapter Twenty

J o sat in her nursery playing with Matthew, the young Marquess of Whitestone. Though he was all of four years old, her son was extremely smart. More endearing than that, he looked remarkably like his mother. The only feature her son had taken from his father was his Romanesque nose.

He was busy stacking blocks and gleefully knocking them down when a knock on the door sounded.

Bell entered and executed a perfunctory bow. Lords Dunmere and Lincolnshire are here to see you, my lady.

Thank you, Bell. Please see them into the salon and I shall be right down. She dismissed the butler as she stood. Abigail, I believe it is time for his mid-morning nap.

Very good, my lady. The young woman curtsied before kneeling down on the floor to help Matthew put his toys away.

Jo stepped into the hall and found a looking glass where she peeked at her reflection to ensure her coiffure was in good repair. With that, she quickly made her way downstairs to greet her guests. As she all but ran into the salon, stopping so swiftly that her skirts swished about her ankles, she couldnt help but grin at the two men she saw.

Of course, she knew it was them, but her joy at seeing them once more was difficult to contain. Linc, Arthur, dont you two look wonderful today?

Linc grinned at her. We do look rather smart today, dont we? He smoothed down his blue silk waistcoat as though very pleased with himself.

You really are too much, Linc, Jo laughed, and shook her head as she made her way to the bellpull.

Ignore him. Hes feeling very pleased with himself. Arthur grinned. You, on the other hand, look lovely.

Heat swept into her cheeks as she absorbed the compliment. She very much wished to throw herself into his arms and demand a kiss. Instead, she turned as a housemaid entered the room. Harriet, please have Mrs. Bell prepare tea.

Of course, my lady. The maid curtsied then scurried away, closing the door behind her.

Alone at last, Jo quickly moved to hug Arthur, who wrapped her in his arms and kissed her warmly in greeting. Not to be outdone, Linc was there to collect her with a similar greeting.

Please sit down, wont you? She waved them toward the settees and chairs grouped in the center of the room.

How are you feeling? Arthur asked. The way he narrowed his gaze suggested he was concerned about her answer.

Jo dipped her head with a small smile playing across her lips. I am well, if a bit sore.

Link darted a worried gaze toward the door. Were we too rough with you?

She couldnt help but laugh. Of course not, silly. It has simply been many years since Ive been with a man. I was bound to be a little sore today, and the cost was well worth the price of admission.

Both men seemed content with her response, though Linc grinned mischievously. Well, Arthur, I suppose we should make a better effort next time.

Before Arthur could respond a knock on the door sounded, and Harriet returned with their tea. Jo dismissed her and handled the pouring duties herself.

Arthur sipped his tea. I hope we didnt interrupt anything important with our unexpected visit.

Not at all. I was just in the nursery with Matthew, but Miss Stevens, his nurse, just put him down for his morning nap. She took a sip of her own tea and then picked up a small sandwich.

We would still love to meet your son. Im sorry we missed him today. Lincs eyes glowed with a warmth and sincerity that eased her previous worries about intruding into their lives.

Of course. We shall be in Hyde Park tomorrow afternoon around two oclock near the Round Pond. Matthew adores feeding the ducks.

We shall be happy to join you. Arthur spoke with an easy confidence she couldnt remember him having when theyd first met years ago. Nonetheless, it was a development she appreciated very much.

Then there was a ruckus at the door of the salon. Shed set her tea down, standing to see what was going on, when the door swung open and Bernard, her brother-in-law, strode into the roommuch to the dismay of Bell.

What the bloody hell is going on in here? Bernard demanded to know.

Shocked to her core, Jo stood there, her mouth agape as the man halted in the middle of the room.

Who the bloody hell is this? he roared.

Finally regaining her composure, she stepped around the settee to face her brother-in-law as Linc and Arthur both rose. Bernard. Im afraid I wasnt expecting you today. She waved her arm toward Arthur and Linc. Im entertaining guests.

The man was puffed up like a peacock as he once more made blustering demands. I can see that you are entertaining gentlemen. Id like to know who the bloody hell they are?

Jo clenched her teeth. This is the Earl of Dunmere, and Baron Lincolnshire. My lords, may I present Lord Bernard Downs, my brother-in-law. Now if you dont mind, Bernard, we were having tea. Perhaps you could come back at a later time.

Bernard sneered at the two men behind her. The bloody hell I shallI can see the vultures circling already. You two need to leave immediately.

Jo gasped in utter shock at such rudeness. Bernard, I absolutely demand you cease this at once. This is my home. These are my guests. You are the one intruding.

Bernard took a step toward her, his face a mask of fury. Listen here, Lady Whitestone. This is my family homemy brothers homeand as the patriarch of the family, it is my duty to see that all is well and as it should be. A lady entertaining gentlemen callers alone is absolutely unacceptable. Should this get out, it would be a stain on my familys reputation and name.

Arthur cleared his throat and stepped up behind her. Now see here, Lord Downs. I dont particularly care for the way youre speaking to Lady Whitestone. She has done nothing wrong. We are simply old friends who have come for a visit.

The man sneered, It is unseemly.

Jo huffed, then turned to Arthur and Linc. My lords, perhaps we could reconvene this visit on another day? I apologize for cutting our tea short. She tried to offer them both a reassuring smile.

She assumed shed failed, since neither man moved.

Arthur looked at her worriedly, clearly hesitant to leave her alone with her overbearingly pompous brother-in-law, but she knew there was no way she could resolve the situation with both of them still there.

It would seem there is some family issue that needs to be addressed. Again, my apologies for this untimely interruption.

Arthur nodded and stepped forward, taking her hand and bending over it to kiss her knuckles. My lady. If youre sure you will be well? he hesitated.

She smiled and nodded. All will be well. I shall speak to you both soon.

Linc followed suit, holding her gaze for a moment before he bent and kissed her hand. Then the two made their way to the door of the salon as they glared at Bernard.

Once they were gone, Jo whirled on the man, resisting the urge to slap him across the face for his disrespectful and rude remarks, but she knew that would lead to no good. Now, Bernard, if you would like to discuss the issue you seem to have, calmly, I shall of course oblige you out of respect for my departed husband.

Bernard curled his upper lip with disdain. You were nothing but a broodmare for my brother, and I refuse to allow you to bring dishonor to our family name and reputation. I insist you cease entertaining gentlemen callers in my brothers home unchaperoned.

She huffed a laugh. Unchaperoned? Im no green girl. Ive buried two husbands and borne a child. I shall not be dictated to like I am some young chit out of the schoolroom.

Im afraid you are mistaken about the circumstances, Lady Whitestone.

She was coming to detest the way he said her title, with far too much emphasis on the lady. As though she were not worthy of the moniker.

But Bernard wasnt finished. As I am the one who holds the financial purse strings of this house and this family, you will, in fact, do as I sayif you care to continue to eat, have a roof over your head, and clothes on yours and your brats back.

Jo blanched, her face draining of all warmth as confusion colored her every thought. She struggled to understand what he was suggesting. As far as she knew, her finances were in her hands. She had been present at the reading of her husbands last will and testament, after all. This is an outrage. I shall speak to my husbands man of affairs at once and sort this out. My inheritance from your brother is mineoutright. What is not mine belongs to my son, the Marquess of Whitestone. Since I am his mother and legal guardian, you have control neither over my finances nor his.

Bernard laughed, low and sinister. Since my nephew is not yet of age and my brothers man of affairs wont do business with a woman, it will be up to me to manage your finances. So whether or not you like it, I quite literally have all the control I require over your finances.

Jos stomach turned as she imagined what the next few years might be like under his thumb.

Now, if youll do as I say, I suggest you go have a lie down. You seem a bit overwrought, my lady.

Furious, she stormed out of the salon and upstairs to her bedchamber. This simply would not stand. Perhaps she could enlist Arthur and Lincs assistance to deal with her former husbands man of affairs, if the man wouldnt do business with a woman.

Regardless, this was certainly not going to be the end of things, not by a longshot. Shed had enough of overbearing men and their poor decisions where she was concerned. The question was, what could she do, short of marrying another man? Her gut twisted. Even the thought of marrying Arthurnot that he had asked formally, mind youmade her nervous. Theyd only just reconnected. Could she trust him with her futureand what of her heart?