Chapter Thirty-Eight

Three Days Later

J o found Matthew sitting in the nursery playing listlessly with his toy soldiers. The doctor had come the day after Matthew had been kidnapped and looked both of them over, declaring Matthews arm but a minor injury and that the sling was no longer required. As for Jo, he admired Ros handiwork and ordered bedrest for a couple of days. If any redness appeared or the pain increased along with fever, she was to call for him immediately.

That meant today Jo could abandon her bed and move about, however gingerly.

Sitting down in the rocking chair that she sometimes sat in and read to him, Jo sucked in a soft breath as the pain flared across her side. Matthew, whats the matter?

Her son looked up as if hed just that moment noticed she was in the room. Oh, hello Mother. He rose and came over to her listlessly.

Hello, my son. You look sad. Do you want to tell mother whats wrong? Jo held her arms open to him.

Matthew happily crawled into her lap, causing her to suck in another sharp breath as she winced at the pain. Perhaps inviting him into her lap had been a bad idea. She winced again as he wriggled around on her lap to get settled.

He plopped his little head on her shoulder and sighed. I miss Uncle Linc.

She wasnt surprised he had noticed her wayward lovers absence; both Linc and Arthur spent a great deal of time with Matthew, but she hadnt expected that her son would have felt his absence so acutely. You do?

Uh-huh. Matthew nodded his head decisively. He used to come up every morning and say hello, and ask me what I was going to learn about today. Sometimes he would even play soldiers with me. But he hasnt been here since the night with the bad lady.

Jo drew in a slow, steady breath. This one was born of the emotional pain Linc had caused her son, not the physical pain that was currently simmering along her side. Im sorry he hasnt been to visit you. I know he has been very busy the last few days.

I know. Grown-ups are always very busy. Matthew fell silent for a few moments, as though he was considering their conversation. Then he straightened up and looked at her with big, solemn eyes. Did I do something to make him angry with me?

Jo willed her tears back as she shook her head. No, of course not. You have done nothing to upset anyone.

He looked uncertain for a moment. Are you sure?

I am very, very certain that whatever is keeping Uncle Linc away has nothing to do with you or anything you did. Im sure it is just adult things that he needs to take care of. Jo wanted to gnash her teeth. Instead, she managed a soft smile for her son.

All right. If youre certain. Matthew sounded less convinced than she would like, but he also seemed less sad.

Perhaps we should go to the park tomorrow. How does that sound?

He perked up immediately. May we?

Yes, Ill ask Cook to pack us a picnic and everything. Jo smiled as her son bounced up and down.

Oh, boy! Matthew chirped happily, his earlier sadness forgotten.

Excellent. Well, I am going to go have some breakfast and I shall alert the staff to our plans for tomorrow. Perhaps I can even wrangle Arthur to join us. Jo smiled at her son, her heart in her throat.

She would absolutely drag Arthur alongand if she had her way, Linc, as well.

Jo was done being avoided.

Later that day, Jo went in search of Linc. The connecting door to his home remained locked, so she sailed out the front door, down the front steps of Arthurs home and up the front steps of Lincs. She knocked on the front door and waited for it to be opened.

When his butler appeared, she walked in the open door and right past the gaping man. Good afternoon, Mr. Powel. Is Lord Lincolnshire in his study?

The butler sputtered and followed her down the hallway, since she had yet to stop. I I I believe so, my lady. But I dont think he wishes Jo would not be stopped and opened the door of the study to be disturbed.

She just caught the last part as she closed the door firmly behind her. There, across the room, slouched in a wing chair before the fireplace, was the very man she was looking for.

There you are.

Linc looked up in confusion as she crossed the room to stop before him.

Well, you certainly look and smell like a veritable mess. Jo sniffed delicately. And just when was the last time you bathed?

Linc blinked as though he was trying to determine if she was real or not. Wha day isth it?

His words were slurred and rather disjointed, but she got the gist of what he was saying. It is Tuesday. I feel certain based on the smell in this room and your general state of drunkenness that you have not, in fact, bathed since the ball on Saturday.

I cant remememember. He continued to slur his words, but he at least attempted to sit up.

Well, I think we need to rectify that situation immediately before we speak. Perhaps by then you will find yourself in a more sober state. Jo turned on her heel and marched out into the hall to find Powel hovering nearby. Oh good, youre still here. Please have a bath drawn for Lord Lincolnshire, then return and help me get him upstairs.

Powell bowed smartly and disappeared with a grin on his face. Before long, he reappeared with a footman in tow. I believe your stitches are still healing, my lady, so I suggest Burns should help me get his lordship upstairs.

Very well, thats probably for the best. Jo followed them upstairs where a steaming hot bath awaited Linc.

Once there, the men stripped him down and then guided him into the bathtub. Jo stood by directing servants to bring soap and towels. Once the man was finally in the bath and there was just her and Powell, who acted as Lincs valet, she looked at the man and smiled. Be a dear, and please dump one of the remaining pails of water over his head.

Linc was lolling in the bathtub as if every bone in his body had been liquified. He was still not coherent enough to hear her message. He might not be until he sobered up a great deal more, but she had to get through to the man.

His valet picked up the pail with steaming water in it.

Not that one. I think the cold pail will do nicely. Jo wanted to cause him a little discomfort, considering all the discomfort he had caused herself, Arthur, and most of all Matthew the last few days.

My lady! The valet seemed shocked.

Do it, Jo said sternly, unwilling to relent.

Very good, my lady. The man did not look pleased, but then he had not seen Linc when shed found him. Clearly Powel agreed with her directions since he had seen to it everything was prepared.

The butler/valet dumped the cold water over his masters head.

A soaked and sputtering Linc shot up halfway out of the bathtub. What the bloody hell Powell! He exclaimed before spotting her and sinking back down in the tub. Oh, I see. Wood Sprite.

Dont you Wood Sprite me, you unfeeling ogre, Jo all but snarled at him. Turning to Powell, she smiled sweetly. Please put a bit of the hot water in the tub now, if you please. I dont want my husband catching his death of cold.

Powell nodded and then added some hot water to the tub, at which point Linc sank down into the water until just his head poked out.

That will be all, Powell. I shall let you know when he requires your assistance. She dismissed him with a nod and he left the chamber.

What is the meaning of all this? Linc asked as he glared balefully.

This is what happens when you disappear from my life, from our lives, like a ghost, Jo glared back at him.

Disappeared? I was right here, next door, as I have always been. He tried to sound innocent, but she knew his nonsense for what they were.

You hurt my son, Linc, she breathed, and he stilled in the tub.

I am sorry. I didnt mean to. An anguished look crossed Lincs face, one far more pained than she thought appropriate. You are right, its my fault he was injured once more.

Confusion rolled through her. What was he blathering on about? What? Im not speaking of the kidnapping, that was certainly not your fault. How could anyone blame you for that? I meant your choice to retreat from our lives.

Linc snorted. I didnt think Id be missed in the midst of all the connubial bliss.

Of course you were missed! We love you, Linc. Jo paused and looked for a reaction from him, but his face was shuttered. Frustration rose inside her as she realized she may not be getting through to him. Desperate she tried a tactic her mother had often used: a command performance. Well, I expect to see you at dinner this evening. This was not a negotiation. He would come or she would drag him over.

No. I am unavailable for dinner tonight. Lincs words were a shock to her.

What do you mean, no? Jo demanded, frustration flaring into white-hot anger.

You said it yourself. I hurt all of youlet you down. I shall not compound my transgressions by adding to them as I inevitably will. This he dragged in a breath. This game, adventure, experiment, whatever you want to call it, is over. Now if you will leave me to my bath, I would appreciate some privacy.

Shocked, hurt, and wildly confused, Jo stood and stared at him. Why would you think you will compound your supposed transgressions with your presence? What you are saying makes little senseit is your absence that is the offense.

Jo, I let your son be taken. I failed him and I failed you in the worst possible way. It is better for all of you if I remove myself from the situation.

Are you daft? We just discussed this, it wasnt your fault. Jo leaned over, wincing at the pain in her side once more, and pressed her fingers to his temple. Did you fall and hit your head while you were pickled?

Her love swatted her hands away. I did not hit my head. I am in my right mind for possibly the first time in months. I do not wish to discuss this any furtherplease leave.

We are married, Linc. Are you calling our wedding a mistake? Are you saying you were not in your right mind when you pledged your heart and soul to Arthur and me?

His lips pressed together for a long silent moment as though Linc struggled to say the words that came from his mouth next. Yes. I never should have married you. Either of you.

She growled, You bloody fucking fool! I cannot believe you are doing this. Do not think this is the last of this discussion.

Jo turned on her heel and left him in his bathtub. As she breezed through his bedchamber, she saw Powell. Linc will likely need your assistance with bathinghell, with breathing. The man is incompetent, as far as I can tell.

Only then did she storm out of his room and out of his housechoosing not to walk around outside but instead unlocking the connecting door. He could lock it again later, if he thought to check it.

Furious, Jo went in search of Arthur to share the story of her confrontation. He would know what to do to make their husband understandthe man was entirely off kilter at the moment. Someone had to make him see reason.