Chapter Twenty-Eight

L inc crouched in the bushes in Jos garden and waited with Arthur. Together, they watched the back of the house for signs of movement inside. The lights were steadily doused throughout the first floor.

Shell wait until everyone is asleep and then sneak out the back window, wont she? Linc looked in Arthurs direction, peering into the shadows which surrounded them.

Im worried. If there are guards on all the doors, then shell have to find another path of escape.

Just then, the dull thud of boots on the cobblestones sounded. They huddled deeper into the bushes and waited. The guard moved past them with no hesitation. They continued to crouch and watch as the lights on the second floor slowly went out, one by one.

About five minutes later, the same guard wandered through the backyard once more as expected, based on Coopers report from earlier. He seemed to make a fairly regular circuit of the front and back gardens of the home.

The man came past them at least four more times as the house continued to settle into an eerie stillness. Fortunately it was a cloudy night, so there was little moonlight to potentially expose anyone making an escape.

Eventually, there was the creak of a window opening above them. Linc looked up and tapped Arthur on the shoulder to get his attention. He pointed up to where curtains now gently billowed out the window. A pit formed in his stomach as he imagined what Jo might be planning.

Linc cursed as he realized the guard would come by soon. Arthur, the guard!

Im on it. Ill ensure he cant raise the alarm. Arthur rose from the bushes and slipped out, keeping along the shadowed edges of the fence line. Then he waited in the deepest shadows.

Lincs gaze darted back and forth from where he thought Arthur was to the open window. Then he saw Jo and Matthew in the opening.

As they had feared, Jos son was not nearly as intrepid as his mother. For long moments, the boy sat on the windowsill cradling his broken arm as his mother appeared to encourage him to slide over the sill. Twice the boy turned as though to climb back into the house and twice Jo soothed him and returned him into position.

Linc felt for the boy, but he was also quite confident that Jo wouldnt have chosen this avenue of escape if shed had any other viable option.

Then suddenly a scuffle broke out where Arthur had been waitingthere were a few grunts of pain, and the muffled sound of a body hitting the ground. Linc held his breath as he waited for Arthur to appear.

Right about the time Jo finally eased Matthew over the edge and down a bit, Arthur strode toward where the boy was being lowered. Linc crept out of his hiding spot and joined him. Matthew spotted them and gave a soft squeal of excitement, as he often did, but Linc and Arthur both held their fingers to their lips and shushed him. He nodded and grinned as Jo continued to lower him to the ground with a sheet tied off around his waist.

Once the boy was in Lincs arms, Arthur quickly untied the knot and waved up at Jo to let her know it was safe to come down.

Linc passed the boy to Arthur. Best get him to the carriage while I help Jo.

Agreed. Arthur bundled the boy close to him and slipped out the back gate near the stable and into the mews where theyd entered.

Linc glanced back up to the window to find Jo dangling above him. The rope of bedsheets appeared to still be holding as she shimmied down the makeshift rope. Watching her make her way down the side of the house so easily suggested that her life in the country had her spending more time as a tomboy than one might have expected, based on their time with the woman.

A moment later, she was on the ground and in his arms. He resisted the urge to plunder her mouth right there and instead took her by the hand and led her the same way Arthur had gone.

Once they were by the stables, Jo tugged on his coat sleeve. Where is Matthew?

Arthur has him safely in our carriage. Lets go. Linc urged her into the mews.

They carefully picked their way down the street, moving from shadowed doorway to shadowed doorway until they reached the carriage. Once there, he helped her up into the vehicle and joined her, stopping long enough to bark a short drive to the man wielding the reins.

Oh, thank goodness you two came. Jo threw her arms around Lincs neck and hugged him fiercely before she moved to Arthur. Then she looked at her son. And you, young man, you were so courageous!

It was a grand adventure, mother! Matthew appeared thrilled now it was over.

Indeed, it was. She smiled lovingly at her son as tears gathered in her eyes. Then she sniffed them back, glancing back and forth between them. Are we headed to one of your London residences?

Arthur cleared his throat. No. Out of an abundance of caution and a strong sense of propriety, weve made other arrangements.

What do you mean? Jo seemed surprised and not a little concerned about this news.

Linc sighed. Damn it Arthur, you should have just told her. He scowled at his lover then turned to Jo. Weve arranged for you to stay at Lord Broughams house. With his wife and children in residence, we felt it was best for both of you, initially. Then we can sort out a better long-term solution.

Oh. She sounded disappointed by that news. But it really was the best choice.

We shall have some men helping with guard duty at the house. The others are our friends. Their women will spend time with you and help get you settled, Arthur explained.

A short while later, they were pulling up to the rear of the Broughams house. Emily and Cooper were both there to greet them and usher them toward the back entrance.

Good evening, Lady Whitestone. I hope you and Matthew are doing well after the nights excitement, Emily said with a smile.

Oh, please, you must call me Jo. I should feel awkward standing on ceremony when I have barged into your home in such a fashion, Jo replied with flushed cheeks.

Emily grinned at her and opened the back door of the house. Very well then, I shall call you Jo, and you will call me Emily. I apologize, but we felt it was safer to bring you in the back way in case there are any neighbors arriving home from the nights entertainments.

No need to apologize. I appreciate the warm bed for myself and my son. I hope we wont be any trouble, Jo said softly as they all filed into the house.

No trouble at all, Emily assured them. Now, I assumed youd feel best keeping Matthew with you tonight, so I have a trundle bed set up for him in your room.

Thank you. Jo looked abashed as she realized she was empty-handed. Im afraid I failed to bring anything with us but a few pieces of jewelry shoved in my corset.

I do hope they were cabochons and not faceted. I remember clearly how the faceted gems dig into the skin when crammed down a corset, Emily pressed on, without missing a step as Jo blinked at her in astonishment. We werent sure, so we assumed you were coming to us with the clothes on your back. I have a little of everything you both might need for the next day or so until we can make other arrangements. Emily walked them all into the chamber where Jo and her son would sleep.

Jo laughed as she followed. Im sorry, do you often carry your jewels stuffed down your corset?

Emily smiled. Not for a while now. But that is a story for another day.

Cooper stepped forward. We have men patrolling the grounds and you are sleeping in a chamber next to Emily and myself. If you need anything, just yell out.

Jos cheeks turned pink. Thank you, my lord.

Cooper, please. You are amongst friends. He put an arm around Emily and looked at Linc and Arthur. Gentlemen, Ill wait for you downstairs in the study.

Thank you, Cooper, they both murmured.

Finally, alone with Joor almost alone, anywayLinc turned to look at her more carefully. Are you well, Wood Sprite?

Jo nodded, but moved into his arms. Linc wasnt sure, but he may have needed to hold her more than she needed to be held, just then.

Come, Matthew, let me help you get settled. Arthur led the boywho was watching them with fascinationaway.

Linc cupped her face in his shaking hands and kissed her gently on the lips. She responded, melting into him. He quickly pulled back before things got out of hand. I was so worried when I saw Matthew perched in that window.

Dear God, I was terrified they would catch us. Jo whispered, dropping a kiss on his lips. But then you two were there for me, just as you said you would be.

Always, Wood Sprite. Linc let go of her. Im sure Arthur needs a moment with you as well. Let me finish up with Matthew. He smiled softly at her and walked over to where Arthur was helping the boy finish changing his clothes. Go on, Ive got this.

Arthur nodded and stepped over to hold Jo in his arms.

Matthew yawned mightily as his head poked through his borrowed nightshirt. Can we climb down a rope again tomorrow night?

Linc laughed. I hope that wont be required two nights in a row.

But it was great fun once I saw you and Uncle Arthur there. At first, it was awfully scary. But then you two appeared, and I knew you wouldnt let anything bad happen. The boy grinned up at him as he climbed into the trundle bed that rode low to the ground.

Lincs heart gave a slow thud at the boys faith in them. Of course we wouldnt. But maybe still, we can find some other adventure to get up to tomorrow?

Very well. He yawned once again. Ill sleep on it.

The boy promptly fell asleep.

Linc stepped over to where Arthur and Jo were still huddled together. He is quite enamored with the nights fun. But I suspect hell sleep the night through. He seems worn out.

No doubt. Jo smiled at them. I was disappointed we would not be staying with you two, but I see the sense of staying here.

Good, Arthur murmured. Well be by tomorrow morning to see you both, and we can sort out what comes next. Well also introduce you to everyone.

Very well. Jo yawned herself.

I wish we could sleep with you in our arms tonight, but it will be enough to know that you are safe here. Arthur caressed her cheek and pressed a kiss to her lips.

Linc embraced her once more. Well see if we can arrange some time for just the adults soon.

Please. She smiled softly at them. A lady must reward her heroes.

They slipped from her room and left her to prepare for bed.