Chapter Three

The Next Day

J osephine Marie Fultonor Jo, to her friendsdrew in a deep breath, welcoming the sharp pain of the cold crisp air that came with the pristine blanket of snow that covered the ground. Hidden in the folds of her cloak she clutched a most titillating book she had discovered in her deceased husbands collection: Pleasant Polly and the One Thousand and One Naughty Nights. At first, she had thought it was simply a retelling of the familiar stories. When she started reading, she discovered the first story recounted how a serving woman was detained and pleasured orally by two men until the sun rose.

It was most definitely not the same book. This one was far more intriguing.

She had tucked it away safely as she doled out her husbands estate according to his wishes. The settlement hed left JO allowed her to return to her parents with a hefty bank account to live off onor so shed thought. It appeared her father had very different ideas about her future. Ideas that included marriageagain.

She was thankfully now alone after another tedious breakfast featuring another lecture on why she must remarry. Jo was four and twenty, and a widow to boot! Certainly she was not of age yet, but it was dreadfully unfair that her father still had control over her finances.

Jo sighed and relished finding a quiet spot to devour another stirring story from her naughty book. As she tromped through the wooded countryside, she luxuriated in the solitude and peace that came with the fresh snow. Her father would never deign to follow her out into the frigid temperatures, so she was assured of plenty of uninterrupted reading time. But first she had to find the old gamekeepers hut she had maintained diligently until her marriage to the now late Mr. Fulton, five years earlier. Hopefully it wasnt in too terrible a state.

In the distance she heard a rustling. A bird? A small animal?

No, it was too loud for that. Nerves jangling at what she might meet, she found a thicket of bushes to hide behind until she could assure herself it was nothing dangerous. Twigs snapped, snow crunched, and thenvoices.

Would you bloody well watch where you are going? a mans voice snapped.

Its not my fault youre so blasted tall. I didnt know that branch would snap back and hit you in the damn face, the shorter and darker of the two grumbled as he stepped forward. Where is the fucking path? Or a deer trail? Anything to make this nightmare easier.

Jo snickered, unable to help herselfand the men stopped.

Did you hear that? the dark-haired one asked.

Hear what?

I swore I heard someone laughing at us.

Good God, Arthur. Are you hallucinating from the cold? The taller one seemed truly concerned for a moment.

The dark-haired one, Arthur, growled and pushed his friend away. Bugger off, you lob cock. Im not bloody hallucinating, I tell you I heard someone snickering. He turned and faced the bushes where Jo still crouched. Whoever you are, come out right now.

She did no such thing, staying where she was. She didnt know who these men were and had no intention of gaining that knowledge by exposing herself.

With her naughty book clutched to her chest, Jo squatted lower behind the bush, hoping her dull green cloak would blend in with the foliage and branches. Thoughthe men were very handsome. Her mind drifted to the scene in her book where two men kissed as Polly watched. Her breath hitched as she imagined these two men kissing.

Only then did she notice a little tickle on her nose.

Oh, no.

She wrinkled it and wriggled it, trying to make the sensation stop without moving her arm. Finally, it seemed to cease.

Then the tall one sighed. Really, you can stop the charade. Were in the middle of nowhere. There isnt a soul here but us.

Achoo! The sneeze burst out of her, declared Jos presence as assuredly as if shed sprang up dancing from behind the bush. The force of her bodys reaction caused her to topple over onto her backside, dropping her book, feet shooting forward, and making the bush shake.

What was that? the tall one blurted out.

Bloody hell! sounded Arthur at the same time.

Jo had just gotten to her knees and was struggling to get to her feet in the snow when two pairs of black boots appeared in her vision. Without looking up, she sighed. I dont suppose you two would consider ignoring me and carrying on with whatever you were doing here?

A rather large hand appeared in her field of vision.

And leave a lady in obvious distress? I think not. The tall one waited patiently, waiting for her to take his proffered assistance.

Eventually good manners won out, and she took his hand.

The unnamed man appeared fashionably lean and trim, but he pulled her up with an ease belied by the superior cut of his winter coat. No reedy waif, she was the picture of the ideal Victorian woman with her ample breasts and full curves. Despite that, she had a tendency to shun a tightly cinched corset, andwell, she hadnt often heard herself described as attractive. At least, not by the men shed been exposed to in her life, such as her deceased husband.

The man steadied her by holding her shoulders, and she couldnt deny the shiver of awareness that skated down her spine as she finally looked up. His pale blue eyes seemed to devour her as she stood there, caught in his thrall. Standing securely on her feet once more, he released her shoulders and took a step back.

Jo felt the loss of his touch immediately. It was strange; when her husband had touched her, all she could do was count the moments until he released heryet this strangers absence left her feeling almost bereft. How odd.

A throat cleared. An interesting choice of reading material. The man called Arthur was gazing down at her book, clutched in his handsand open!

Mortification swept over Jo like a warm wave of air in the Pellinghams cramped ball room at the last parish dance. She was certain her face had turned a hideous shade of red, but alas there was little she could do about itwith the exception of shoving her head into the nearest snow bank. Do not be rude, sir, that is not your book.

I was merely conveying the fascinating nature of your choice of reading materials. He looked up at her. Particularly for someone such as yourself.

She let her head tip to the side a little. Curiosity had words bubbling from her lips. Someone such as me? How so?

The mans cheeks reddened, and she suspected it had little to do with the cold. He cleared his throat. Umwell. Someone who looks so young and lovely. And obviously gently reared.

Her heart stalled in her chest at the word lovely, and then she laughed. Loud and long. When she finally caught her breath Jo managed to explain, Im afraid you have me confused with someone else. I am neither particularly young nor gently reared. Much to my parents dismay I have struggled under the yoke of domestication my entire life. I appreciate the compliment, I do. But you, my good sir, are quite wrong about me.

The blonde man stepped forward and bowed. My lady, please let me set this conversation back on course. I am Marion Thomas, Baron Lincolnshire, and this mutton head is my friend Arthur Winterburn, Earl of Dunmere.

She couldnt help the small gasp that escaped her. They were true nobility! And Dunmerewhy, he was her neighbor. Shed known of him as a girl, had spied on him more than once when he was swimming. But they had never met since his family was so rarely in residence and even when they were, he was so much older than her. The boy she had once caught a glimpse of was nowall man.

Its a pleasure to meet you both. She curtsied. I am Mrs. Josephine Marie Fulton. My father owns Marshall House.

A pleasure to meet you. Dunmere swept a bow at nearly the same time as Lincolnshire.

But I feel we are all going to be the best of friends, so you must call me Linc, as all my friends do. The smile he flashed at her nearly stole her breath. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief which absolutely delighted her.

Then you must call me Jo. She couldnt hide her smile, nor did she want to.

Well, I refuse to be left out of this business. Call me Arthur. Dunmere is so drab.

She didnt quite agree with him, but was not one to ignore a request when it came to someones name. Very well then, Arthur it is.

Excellent! Linc plucked the open book from Arthurs hands and handed it to her. I believe this is yours, Jo. He hesitated a moment. Jo the Wood Sprite.

She laughed softly. No, Im not a mythical creature. Just a woman seeking a quiet place toto read a book. She hated that her cheeks had heated once more.

Well, please do not let us delay any longer. Arthur smiled at her. Unless youd enjoy the company.

She wrinkled her nose. I dare say you two are trouble, but I think I would enjoy getting to know you both. Stay. Jo stopped and looked around. Unless of course you have somewhere you need to be.

Both of their faces lit up with pleasure. We are precisely where we need to be, I think. Arthur crooked an arm toward her. Shall we find a place to sit and talk?

That would be lovely. Jo placed her hand on his arm and looked up to find Linc on her other side with his arm similarly crooked. Pleased by all the attention, she tucked her hand into his arm as well.

They found a log and the men cleared a spot for her to perch. Then they book ended her and the three of them chatted for what seemed like hours. The conversation was easy, their laughter light, and Jo realized she had not smiled like this inwell, in years.

Finally, Jo shivered and knew it was time for her to head home. It would be growing dark soon, and she could not remain out here forever, even if she might wish to. As diverting as it had been chatting with the handsome lords, she would be expected at home. There were chores to see to or shed suffer an overly harsh punishment.

Jo stood and turned to face both of them. It was lovely meeting you both.

They stood up, almost as one.

We enjoyed meeting you, Jo. Arthur placed his hand over his heart and bowed.

Good heavens, these two must devastate the London debutants.

When may we see you again? Linc asked as he stepped forward. I fear I shall suffer a deep despair if you do not say tomorrow. His jovial tone had her laughing at his dramatics.

Jo mock sighed as if so very put upon. I suppose I could see you all tomorrow. I certainly wouldnt wish to be responsible for you to enter a decline of despair. She looked at Arthur. Do you know where the old gamekeepers hut is on our property?

I think I know well enough to find it, he nodded. But why dont we simply call on you at home?

She hesitated. Could she have them meet her there?

No, her father would force the issue of marriage immediately. It would be mortifying for them to come there and have her father sound them out immediately for marriage. Besides, it had been terribly hard not to imagine herself pressed between them in the most inappropriate manner. She supposed it served her right for her choice in reading materials.

I think its best if we steer clear of my parents for now. Ill see you at the hut around noon? Jo looked from one man to the other, something she had never felt before bubbling inside her.

Yes! Linc grinned. Noon tomorrow.

Jo leaned forward and pressed an impulsive kiss to Lincs cheek before turning to do the same to Arthur. Ill see you both then. And then she fled before she did something truly inappropriate and asked them to kiss herboth of them.