Chapter Twenty-Nine

A rthur stood in his study and stared at the fire. He knew what he wanted to do, what he needed to do. But he was worried about Linc.

There was a short, sharp knock on the door, then it opened. There you are.

Arthur turned and found Linc standing just inside the door. Yes, Ive been here brooding. He couldnt help but offer a sardonic smile.

I can see that. The question is, what precisely are you brooding about now? Linc strolled toward him.

He sighed. You.

That pulled Linc up short. Me? Why?

Yes, you. Arthur felt the love he had for him well up inside. I think about you often, you know.

Linc sauntered forward and pressed up against him. Chest to chest, he cupped his face. Only the best thoughts, I hope. Linc winked at him in a saucy manner.

Arthur couldnt help but chuckle. Almost always. He drew in a deep breath and found Lincs gaze. One of us needs to marry Jo to protect her.

Linc nodded solemnly. I agree. The protection of one of our names would be very helpful, under the current circumstances, though I must say that would only be the icing on the cake. The real treat is, of course, having Jo in our lives forever.

Very much agreed but that does beg the question. Who should marry her? Arthur winced as he posed the ultimate question. Legally, I mean.

I understand what you mean. I should think the answer would be obvious. Linc stepped back, letting his hand drop from Arthurs face.

Arthur huffed, annoyance nipping at him as he tried to read Lincs reactions. If it was obvious, I wouldnt have been sitting in here brooding about it.

Linc chuckled softly. I beg to differ. You are a bit of a brooder. Obviously you should be the one to marry her, legally.

What makes you say that? Why am I the obvious choice? Arthur knew Linc was a good choice to be Jos husband. He was kind and patient, but he also made her laugh, and hed be wonderful with Matthew.

Dont be ridiculous. You are far more disciplined than I am, which is good for both her and the boy. You love her deeply. And you need an heir to carry on the family title. She could give you that. Linc shrugged.

You need an heir as well. Arthur couldnt help but point out the obvious.

I have other male family members who can carry on the titleand mine is a minor title. Your more elevated title will offer her and the boy more protection and, most importantly, you need an heir, or the Dunmere title is passed on to some distant relative.

Arthur bit his lip and hesitated, but he could not remain silent. He needed to voice his concerns. Butbut wont you feel left out?

Linc stepped back into his embrace and wrapped a hand around the back of his neck as he pressed his forehead to his. Do you love me?

You know I do. Arthur rasped the words out as emotion bubbled up from within.

And I love you. And I love Jo, who I believe loves me. That is all that matters, Linc said, low and with such fervor that Arthur wanted to believe him.

And yet he could not ignore the doubt.

That is all that matters, Arthur agreed and reached up to grab Lincs lapels to bring their lips together, plunging past his lips to seek out the heat and warmth he knew hed find within.

Their tongues dueled as each one fought for dominance in the kiss. Finally, Arthur rotated them until Lincs back was pressed against the side of the fireplace. Heat seared their sides from the fire as the heat of their passion burned between them.

As his own cock took notice, Arthur drew back from the kiss. You know the hard part of all this is going to be convincing Jo we should wed.

Linc panted as he tried to recover from their kiss. No doubt our little Wood Sprite will fight this tooth and nailbut together we can overcome any objections and help her see the wisdom of this course of action.

I hope you have the right of it. Arthur said and kissed him once more.

Jo was wearing a borrowed day gown that was a lovely shade of soft green. It was a trifle tight across her bust and hips and came up a bit short, but with her own petticoat underneath, she made it work. She was in the nursery with Matthew, ensuring he was doing well. He had barely been fazed by their late-night adventure and sat playing happily with Emilys two children.

A maid entered and curtsied. My lady, Lords Dunmere and Lincolnshire are here to see you.

Pleasure wove through her as Jo fought the urge to jump up and run downstairs. Thank you. Please tell them I shall be down momentarily.

She stood up and went to her borrowed bedchamber. There she took a moment to compose herself and ensure her coiffure remained in place. Then she made her way down to the front salon. Jo stepped inside the room and found Arthur, Linc, Emily, and Cooper all together. Good morning.

Arthur stepped forward and swept her into his arms for an embrace and a kiss. Then he passed her to Linc, who followed suit. Jos cheeks heated as she stepped away to find Emily and Cooper serenely ignoring the entire exchange as though it were an everyday occurrence.

I must thank you all once again for everything youve done for Matthew and I. Jo smiled at all of them.

It is nothing we wouldnt do or havent done for any of our friends. Emily smiled back.

Speaking of our friends, Arthur said, drawing her attention to him. The rest of them will be here to greet you later this afternoon.

I would be pleased to meet them.

In the meantime, there is a matter Linc and I need to discuss with you. For some inexplicable reason, Arthur looked nervous. Perhaps we should discuss this privately.

Emily and Cooper stood. Of course. We just wanted to be sure you didnt need anything else, Cooper said.

I do not, and thank you, Jo assured them.

Then we shall see you all later when the others arrive. Emily smiled and followed her husband from the room.

Jos heart raced as she waited to hear whatever it was Arthur and Linc wished to discuss. Perhaps they planned to wash their hands of her after all the recent excitement? Theyd helped her escape, but she certainly couldnt blame them if that was where they wished to leave it. Bernard would clearly go to any lengths to control hereven violence.

She shook herself mentally; that kind of thinking was such tripe. They were obviously good men, and she knew in her very bones that they would move heaven and earth for her.

Jo, Arthur started, drawing her out of her thoughts. Under the current circumstances, Linc and I both feel it is important that you marry. Doing so would offer you and Matthew the protection of my name, as well as assuring us all that we can be together for the rest of our lives.

Jo flinched and looked at the man who sat across from her, before darting a glance at Linc, who sighed and shook his head.

Bloody hell, Arthur. You certainly cocked that up.

Jos breath rushed back into her lungs as she laughed. Linc was not wrong . Good heavens, Arthur was excellent at many things. Kissing, making her come, and definitely dirty talk. But the man had no idea how to propose to a womannot that she was going to say yes.

She was done allowing her circumstancesher age, her familys financial status, her familys need to climb the social ranks, her need to protect her sisterto dictate her relationship status. The question was, would Arthur and Linc understand that? Or would they be like every other man in her life and try to control her?

Her gut clenched at the thought and her resolve was strengthened. My answer is thank you, but no.

Arthur shot a glare at Linc, then turned back to her. What do you mean, your answer is no?

I mean, I shall not marry you merely for expedience nor for the protection of your name. I have been married twice now. Twice I have been in less than satisfactory marriages for mercenary reasons, because of circumstances I often did not have control over. Each time I have paid a price in the end. If I marry again, it will be for love and it will not be one sided.

Arthur tipped his head back and pinched the bridge of his nose. Lincs right. Ive completely botched this.

Arthur, I am not rejecting you, or Linc, for that matter. I am simply rejecting marriage as an instrument for achieving ones goals in life. I care for you both deeply but I have no intention of marrying anyone simply for protection. Jos heart squeezed in her chest. She cared for them? Dear heavens she loved them both, but she wouldnt make such an admission now. Not in the face of such a proposal.

She glanced back and forth from one to the other, trying to decipher their reaction.

Jo, we care for you as well or we would never have suggested marriage. Linc looked at her with a tenderness in his eyes that spoke volumes.

Yes, we care for youno, I love you, and Im sure Linc does as well. We want to spend the rest of our lives with you, Arthur said earnestly as he slanted a frustrated look at Linc.

I believe we can do so without the construct of marriage. Jo clutched her hands in front of her. Doubts warred with her fear of making another mistake when it came to marriage. What if she married him and something terrible happened? The feeling of being cursed in marriageif not lovehaunted her.

We could live as bohemians and flaunt all of societys strictures, certainly. But what we cannot do is protect you from men like Lord Downs without that construct. We cannot avoid the censure of Society without the construct of marriage. It would shield us, the three of us, from the majority of scrutiny. We want to be with you, but we do not wish to damage Matthews prospects nor your reputation, Arthur tried to reason.

Jo took a deep breath. My answer is still no. Ive never cared what Society thought and I still do not. I refuse to live my life in fear. If Lord Downs should try to force me to marry himand I have serious doubts he would try such a thing, despite his threatsI shall take action, but until that comes to pass, I shall live life on my terms. Im done with men dictating the circumstances of my life, even you. Tears welled in her eyes. Im sorry. Jo turned and fled the room, unable to remain there a moment longer.

Well, that didnt go at all well, Linc said as they stood alone.

No, it didnt. In fact, Im not sure it could have gone any worse, Arthur growled in frustration and shoved his hands in his hair before dropping into a chair.

It wasnt a no forever. I think our poor Jo has had her hand forced so many times by the men in her life, she wants to go into a marriage knowing she chose it. And really, we did not give her much in the way of declarations of love. Linc shrugged a shoulder.

Arthurs heart ached in his chest. Linc was right. Hed cocked up the whole thing. He should have waited; should have dropped to one knee with flowers and a ring and poured out his heartnot just declared their marriage as a tactical objective in their battle plan to defeat Lord Downs. He sighed and closed his eyes. He was a bloody arse.

Linc knelt before him, wedging himself between Arthurs legs as he cupped his face. Arthur, look at me.

Clearly wishing to wallow in his despair for a few moments longer, he refused to look at his lover.

Arthur. Lincs tone was commanding, so much so, that Arthur cracked his lids open. You love Jo. We need to focus on protecting her for now. Then we can make things right with her.

This man humbled him. Arthur nodded and sucked in a deep breath before he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Lincs. The kiss was nearly chaste, just a perfectly firm pressure until he slid his tongue along the seam of Lincs lips before pulling back. The question is, how do we protect her? Despite her inability to understand how determined Lord Downs is to reclaim the family title and fortune, we shall have to find a way to protect her outside of marriage.

Very true. Well, I suppose we shall start by having one of us following her at all times. If you should like to take the first shift, I shall send around to the Lustful Lords and organize some sort of schedule to ensure she is protected at all times. Linc jerked on the lapels of his coat to ensure it lay correctly after their reverential kiss.

Very well. I shall remain here to startsend someone as soon as you can and I shall help you where I can.

Together, they walked out of Broughams house. On the street, Linc climbed into the carriage they had arrived in and rode away and Arthur headed down the street a bit in search of a shadowed doorway he could lurk in for a bit. Hed have to find a better location later, but for now, whatever he could find would do.

The most important thing was protecting Jo.