Chapter Thirty-Six

L inc raced up behind Jo and grabbed her arm, preventing her from entering the house. Jo! Jo, you cant just barge in there!

The hell I cant! Some woman has my son in there. My. Son. Jo pounded on her chest with her small fist as she said the last two words in a low, fierce tone.

Linc pulled her into his arms, his heart aching for her. Shhh. I know, love. I know, and we are going in there to retrieve him. We are going to save our sonbut we need to be careful.

Arthur stepped hurriedly over to them. Ive sent the carriage we borrowed back for assistance, hell lead help back here.

I wont wait! Jo grabbed Lincs lapels crushing them in her small fists.

Guilt threatened to double him over, but Linc pushed it down ruthlessly. There was no time for such sentiments. No. Well not wait. I wont make the same mistake I made with my sister, he reassured her.

Wait. Had he said that last part aloud?

You have a sister? Jo and Arthur asked simultaneously.

Linc wanted to curse himself. I did, but there is no time for that story now. Later. He looked at Arthur. We cant wait, Matthew needs us.

I know, but we need to go in cautiously. Arthur turned to their beautiful, panicking wife. I dont suppose there is any chance youll wait out here.

Hell no, she said emphatically.

Arthur sighed. I thought not.

Neither had Linc. He hadnt even been so brave as to suggest it after her initial declaration, but perhaps Arthur hadnt heard it while dealing with the carriage driver.

All right, lets go quietly in the back door. Linc took Jos hand and drew her forward. The swishing of her skirts sounded so loud in the relative silence of the nightafter all, it was Londonthat he stopped and turned to face her. Jo, your skirts have to go if you are coming inside. They make too much noise. Im sorry, I know its a new gown

She looked over her shoulder at Arthur. Loosen my skirts. Nothing is more important than my son.

One of Arthurs eyebrows drifted up in a mockery of surprise. The woman had always been too brazen for her own good, and Linc knew that Arthur had grown terribly protective of her. There was a beat of silence, and while Linc could not see Jos face as she was twisted toward Arthur, he could easily imagine the silent argument the two were waging. Arthur would come to his senses on the matter any momentor at the very least lose the war of wills.

Very well, Arthur hissed, evidently having lost.

He partially lifted the bottom of her bodice up, as much as one could, and found the strings of Jos skirts. It took a few moments to wrestle with all the various layers of overskirts, underskirts, and petticoats, but finally the entire mass of fabric sank to the ground, trapping Jo in a puddle of material. Linc swiftly lifted her out of the mess, leaving her in her barely decent muslin drawers.

Shall we? Jo urged.

Frankly, her impatience was adorable, no matter how inappropriate the thought was at the moment. Linc turned back and once more led them into the house. The lower floors were well lit, suggesting someone was most certainly in residence at the moment.

Despite that, there were no servants about. The house was eerily quiet.

A noise sounded upstairs, a loud wail which sounded distinctly like a childs cry.

Jo bolted forward, but Linc caught her before she made it past him. No. We shall get there in a moment. Hes alive, thats an excellent thing, he whispered to her.

His beautiful wife bit her lip and nodded, tears welling in her eyes. Her obvious distress bothered Linc deeply, twanging against the heavy dose of guilt he felt for not having secured Matthew well enough.

It was all his fault.

Pushing the emotion aside for the moment as the hinderance it was, Linc crept forward through the kitchen, spotted the servants stairs, and pointed as he looked back at Arthur.

His husband nodded in agreement. It seemed the back stairs would be safest at the moment, since there were no servants running about.

They slowly eased up the dimly lit, narrow stairs. It was a good thing theyd rid their bride of her cumbersome skirts. Linc highly doubted she would have fit up these stairs as voluminous as her layers had been.

They reached the first landing and paused to listen. Nothing.

They pressed on. At the second floor, they stopped and listened again. Everything was quiet, but well lit. Someone had been moving around up here recently. The hairs on the back of Lincs neck stood up, but he went left as he pointed Arthur to the right. Taking Jo with him, the pair of them continued down the hall, stopping to listen at each door. When they heard nothing, Linc eased the door open and peeked inside. Each time, they found nothing.

Soon Arthur joined them, having found nothing down the shorter right side. Not a sign of

Voicesvoices two doors down from the room they had just checked. They were muffled, but one was distinctly masculine and the other feminine. They crept closer until they reached the door and Linc could just make out the distinct words of an argument.

What the hell have you done? the mans voice ranted. Its just a bloody title. We have enough money to survive on if youd just stop spending like you were the Queen of England.

You fool! That title belonged to you! It belongs to our son, not that misbegotten brat your brother sired on his broodmare, the woman hissed. God, you have no spine at all.

Linc caught Jo and Arthurs gazes, nodded, then pointed at the door. He counted to three on his fingers then threw the door wide and rushed inside with Jo on his heels. He ran straight for Lord Downs who turned, eyes widening in shock as Linc crashed into him. Jo launched past them, a blur of muslin and green. Downs struggled, his shock clearly giving him a strength Linc was not prepared for. He couldnt hold him, he was going to fail them again

Luckily Arthur was there in a flash and together they wrestled the man to the ground.

As Linc had rushed in the room, Jo spotted Bernards wife, Agnes, standing beside a crouched and terrified Matthew.

Thought was not necessary. With a screech of rage, Jo launched herself at the woman. How dare youget away from my son!

The woman sneered. You common whore. You dont deserve the bloody money and your whelp doesnt deserve the damned title! It should be Bernards!

Before Jo could slow her hasty progress across the room, Agnes whipped out a small Derringer pistol and raised it toward herbut it was far too late for that to stop her.

With all of her weight and momentum pushing her forward, Jo collided with Agnes, the other womans skirts tangled around their legs. They crashed to the ground with a muffled thud on the thick Aubusson carpet. A noisethe gun went off, and Jo felt a burning pain along her side.

Pain. Pain?

Fuck! Jo tried to pin the squirming Agnes down, but it was no use. Nono

Stop! Arthur had come to her aid and restrained the out-of-control Lady Downs.

Relief flowing through her, along with a sharp agony, Jo crawled off to the side to where Matthew sat curled up in a ball. With tears running freely down her face, she wrapped her arms around her son and tried to bring him into her lap, but the searing pain in her side put that notion to rest almost immediately. Instead, she tucked her legs under her and levered up to her knees so she could cocoon Matthew. Her son wrapped his small arms around her side, and despite the fresh wave of pain that sent shimmering through her body, Jo said nothing. Holding her son was more important than anything else.

Jo! Are you hurt? Arthur crouched next to her once he tied up Lady Downs with a torn strip of her own gown. Linc was quickly there as well.

Im fine now I have my son back, though II do think the bullet hit me. Jos words were muffled, her face buried in her sons hair.

Arthur reached down and tried to peel her arms away from her son, but she refused to let go, not just yet. Jo, we need to see to your injury and we should look Matthew over.

She whimpered softly, Im not ready to let go of him just yet.

Linc leaned over and pressed his fingers against her side where her injury was. Just for a few moments, love. Then you can hold him all night if you wish it. Were both here. No one is going to harm him.

Her heart cried out its objection, though Jo did as they asked. She was wildly afraid that if she let him go, she would never hold him again. It was an absolutely irrational fear yet having lost him once tonight, it was too hard to wrestle it into submission. Taking a harried breath, Jo acknowledged the pain of releasing him, and did it anyway.

Arthur quickly helped Matthew to his feet. Are you well, my boy? Are you hurt anywhere?

Matthew shook his head. No, Im not hurt like Mummy. The mean lady just pulled on my arm very hard when I tried to run away from her.

Good boy, good lad, Arthur murmured as he ran his hands down each of his arms. Matthew winced a little when he touched the upper part of his right arm, but he seemed otherwise uninjured. Well have a doctor check you out just to be safe, but I think a brave boy like you will be just fine.

Jo released a breath she hadnt realized shed been holding.

Linc tugged off his tie and pressed the white silk to her side. You, on the other hand, shall likely require a surgeon and stitches, my lady.

She gritted her teeth, but refused to cry out for fear shed worry her son. He had been through enough today, she was not going to add to his terror.

That was when a clatter of stomping feet sounded up the very same stairs they had ascended. Arthur stood up and faced the door as though he might launch himself at whoever was coming through that doorbut instead of a new threat it was Stone, Cooper, and Wolf. A few moments later Flint, Lucifer, Ros, and Amelia all barreled into the room as well.

We had to take the front entrance, since the obstinate ladies wouldnt fit up the servants stairs, Lucifer drawled.

They were all crammed into what Jo assumed was the master bedchamber. Did anyone see any staff about?

Not a one. Wolf looked about the room. Which is quite odd in itself. The boy is fine?

Matthew is quite well, Arthur said in a low, calm voice with a pointed look at Jo. We are all doing our best to remain calm.

The servants must all be at the other townhouse. Jo looked over toward Agnes, who sat there looking furious.

Is anyone injured? Ros asked as she stepped farther into the room.

Jo was shot. Linc spoke in a low voice, and Jo smiled to see how careful he was not to frighten their son. They both looked down at where he held his neck tie over her wound.

Right, we should move Jo to another room where I can look at her wound. Ros took control, as she often did. The woman could put a field marshal to shame. Has anyone sent for the magistrate?

Ill go fetch him now, Flint offered and quickly departed the room. Weve had dealings before.

Linc helped Jo to her feet, causing Amelia to chuckle.

Oh, I do approve of your choice of attire for this event!

Jo looked down at her drawers. Well, as you yourself discovered, there was no way I was getting up those stairs in all those skirts, not to mention all the noise they would have made as we snuck in here.

Imminently practical. Ros nodded approval as they left the room.

This is all your bloody fault, Bernard hissed at his wife. Jo started. She had almost forgotten him.

Oh, shut your gob! I should have been the bloody marchioness, not that scheming shrew. Agnes sneered back. And I would have been if you hadnt interfered and seduced me.

Jo stopped and turned. Now that was an interesting remark to make. What on earth do you mean by that?

Agnes snorted. During my come out I tried to make George jealous by paying more attention to Bernardbut George was bloody ignorant. Bernard wouldnt take no for an answer until he got under my skirts when he got me tipsy one night, and thenwell. I had to marry the younger brother. He ruined everything. The woman sniffed and looked away from her husband.

Jo rolled her eyes heavenward and walked out of the room. Those two were a match made in heaven: both of them scheming for a title which did not belong to them.

Come along Matthew, lets go have Aunty Ros look at your arm as well. Arthur urged him to stand and follow his mother out.

Jo was glad to keep the boy near for now, possibly even forever.

Well, at least for a very long time.

Exhaustion tugged at Arthurs eyes, but he ensured that Matthew followed Ros, Jo, and Linc into another bedchamber. There both patients were settled on the bed side by side, and Ros began barking her orders for supplies.

I need fresh sheets, hot water, and the best bottle of whisky or brandy you can find.

Arthur and Linc quickly headed downstairs to fetch what she requested.

Youd best boil the water. Ill go find the linens and booze, Arthur said to Linc.

Why do I have to boil water? Linc looked incredulous.

Because you wouldnt know a good bottle of whisky from rotgut if it bit you, and I havent a bloody clue how to boil damned water, Arthur shrugged with a mischievous grin.

And I do? Linc still looked both surprised and offended.

You are far more resourceful than I am. You knew how to start a fire and make a bedthats leagues above my domestic skills. Arthur smiled and winked before he peeled off to find the linen closet.

After acquiring both items Ros requested, and verifying the quality of the whisky he found, Arthur headed back upstairs and found Linc hadnt returned yet. Ros was already working on her patients with whatever she had in the black satchel shed brought with her. What is in your bag, Ros?

A field medical kit. I always keep one in the carriage since the lot of you seem to get into trouble rather often. I grabbed it before we rushed over here. First time Ive had to treat one of the ladies, though. She snorted softly in disgust. Rushing in there without us!

Arthur shrugged and handed her his items. We did what had to be done. Linc should be up any moment with the water.

Excellent. Ill start with Matthew if you can hold on a few more moments for that hot water, Jo. Ros looked at the pale and now very subdued woman Arthur loved.

Please do. Id like to know he is well, Jo said in a whispered tone. She was clearly in a great deal of pain. Arthur went to her side as Ros took a closer look at Matthew.

Ros briskly checked the boy over. Then she took a square of sheet shed torn off and made a sling for his arm. You should have the doctor look at it again tomorrow to be sure, but I believe hell just be tender for a day or two. Im putting him in a sling until you see a doctor so he doesnt do little boy things and make it feel worse. She tapped his nose gently and smiled at him.

Matthew grinned back. I wont. Probably.

We shall see. Now, let me take a look at your brave mother. Ros moved around the bed as Linc walked in with the pot of hot water carefully balanced.

Where should I put this? He looked about the room for a suitable spot.

Ros moved some things on the bedside table. Right here, please. I must say, Im impressed you know how to boil water.

Linc set the pot down and stepped out of the way. When I had just a few rooms as lodgings, there were a few things I took care of myself to conserve expenses. Making tea for myself was one of the things I figured out how to do on my small stove. So you were in luck.

You are a man of hidden talents. Why dont you two take Matthew into another room while I take care of his mother? Ros suggested meaningfully as she started tearing off strips of linen.

Ill take him, Linc offered. Arthur, you stay here in case Jo needs you. He reached out and took the boys hand as he gingerly got off the bed with one arm incapacitated.

The pair left the bedroom, leaving Arthur and Ros to care for Jo. Ros set about slicing Jos bodice off her body quickly and efficiently. Then she had Jo roll onto her left hip so she could see the injury more clearly.

She scrutinized it. It was hard to tell what happened with your bodice still on, but I am happy to say Lady Downs was not a good shot. It seems you have just been grazed. Obviously, nothing vital was hit. But you are still at risk of it festering if any material got stuck in there. Thats the good news.

Jo nodded as Arthurs jaw tightened. And the bad?

The bad news is, this is going to hurt like bloody hell when I clean it out. Feel free to scream, Ros said grimly as she doused a piece of linen in hot water.

Arthur climbed on the bed and held Jo through the pain of her wound being tended. He wrapped his arms around her as she buried her face in his shoulder and screamed, the pain clearly beyond agony. He comforted her as her tears fell, and she refused Ros offer to stop. He braced her as the burn of the whisky poured into the wound caused uncontrollable shivers of pain and he immobilized her as Ros pierced her skin with a needle and thread.

Before long, her sewing closed the gash. Thats a nice little scar youre going to have there, Ros said when she was done.

Is it? Jo asked listlessly as she lay there still shivering in Arthurs arms.

His heart ached for the pain Ros had caused her, but he knew it was necessary. The wound had to be cleaned and closed up to prevent infection. He was sure the doctor would agree with their choice.

Ros quietly slipped from the room, leaving the two of them alone.

What can I do for you? Arthur asked in a low murmur.

Just hold me and tell me this nightmare is over. She sounded so small and fragile at that moment.

He gently pulled her even closer to his body. Its over now, love. You and Matthew are safe.

Jo melted against him, clearly exhausted. As he held her, it was an almost perfect moment. Almost because one person was missingtheir husband, Linc.