Chapter Four

The Next Day

A rthur and Linc set out once again to go hunting, but not before asking Arthurs housekeeper to pack a picnic basket. She, of course, stuffed it with enough food to feed four, which was perfect as they could share their luncheon with their quarry.

It took Arthur a little longer than he liked to remember where the bloody gamekeeper hut was. But finally they found it, once they spotted the smoke piping up from the chimney.

With a knock on the door, they waited until Jos voice called out, Come in!

They opened the door to find her bent over as she fiddled with the fire across the room. They looked at each other and grinned before Arthur said, That is certainly a fine way to greet someone, Jo.

Oh! she shot straight up and spun around, her face beet red.

Arthur couldnt be sure if her coloring was from the heat of the fireplace, being bent over, or because she understood the innuendo of his remark. Perhaps all three?

Hello there! I wasnt sure you two would come.

Linc let one eyebrow lift. If you werent sure who was at the door, why would you have called for them to enter?

Jo chuckled. I was certain it was you once you knocked. Who else would knock on that door in the middle of the forest? I just wasnt certain you two would come at all, after the way we met yesterday.

Of course we were going to come. How often does one get an invitation to be friends with a Wood Sprite? Linc smiled and winked at her.

Oh, hush. You know very well I am just a woman and nothing more. Now come in and take your coats off, Ive got a pleasant fire going to keep us warm.

Excellent! Arthur took off his coat, hung it on a peg by the door, and moved by the fire. We brought luncheon. He set the basket down by his feet.

How kind of you. Jo appeared pleased, but then looked around with a frown. Im afraid it will have to be something of a picnic. I had not realized there wasnt a stick of proper furniture left in this hut.

Linc walked over to the one trunk tucked into a corner of the hut and opened it. Ah ha! I have found some old blankets in here. All is not lost.

Well, at least we wont have to sit on your very fine coats, Jo quipped as she bustled over and reached into the trunk.

The first blanket she pulled out was so moth-eaten it barely qualified as a blanket, even in a bachelors estimation. The next one was in a little better condition. By the fourth blanket, shed found something they could spread out on the floor and sit on. Linc had taken the decent blanket and was spreading it on the floor before the fire.

Only then did Jo gasp.

What is it? Arthur asked, stepping swiftly to her side.

Though he was curious at her exclamation, he found himself distracted by the way her breasts moved under her bodice. Was she not wearing a corset as well as crinoline? The lack of crinoline had been hard to miss when theyd entered, but the missing corset only now caught his attention. Their little Wood Sprite was truly a free spirit.

Look at this lovely quilt. Jo lifted the folded fabric from the trunk and smoothed a hand over the worn pieces. Something about it appeared to tug at Jos heartstrings. She looked almost sad for a moment. Someone must be heartbroken over having lost this. It looks to be a family heirloom. Perhaps it was their wedding quilt?

It does seem to be well taken care of, if well used. Arthur felt the softness of the cotton and the thickness of the filling. He looked at her, curious about the way she was reacting to the quilt. It would add a bit of cushioning to the thin blanket we foundunless you would prefer to return it to the chest?

I suppose its been left behind. We might as well put it to good use. Jo shrugged and carried it over to where Linc had spread out the blanket and followed suit with the quilt.

they settled down and began laying out their lunch, sitting in a little triangle so they could all see each other. As they nibbled on the cold meats, cheese, and bread, while sipping wine, they shared more stories of their lives. Conversation flowed so freely, so easily, Arthur wondered how he could feel so intimate with a woman he had not known four and twenty hours prior.

Ive always been something of a bookworm. My mother despaired of me until my father arranged a marriage for me. I was forever reading books on history, and of course I love the gothic novels. Jo shivered. They always have a darkness to them that is exciting. If I was a heroine in a gothic novel I would be the most intrepid heroine, plunging into the darkness, candle raised high as I discovered what lurked. She grinned.

Arthur cocked his head. Did you not play with other children? I wonder now why we never saw much of each other.

She smiled softly. I played with my sister Becca when we were younger. But as we both grew up, our interests diverged. She began spending more time with mother learning about running a household, beauty regimens, that sort of thing. I have always been more the type to wander in the woods and explore once my chores were done. What were you two like as children?

Arthur noted her deflection, but easily went along with the shift in focus. I was a typical rascalalways in trouble, always picking on my younger sister Emily, and then I was sent off to school. Thats where I fell in with a raucous crowd and developedlet us say, some bad habits. Gambling, drinking to excess. His cheeks heated as he brought up his past.

But all of that is behind him now. Hes keeping much better company these days. Linc cut in and clapped him on the shoulder.

Indeed. Thanks to my sister falling in love with one of your lot. He grinned at Linc. Linc and his friends took me in and helped me break from the bad influences in my life. Theyve been instrumental in helping me turn the tides of my life. He looked down at his hands, unable to look at either Linc or Jo. Ill forever be grateful for them all.

Its what we do for each other. You became one of us the moment Cooper set his sights on Emily. Linc laughed. As for me, I was a quiet lad.

Arthur snorted. That must be a bald-faced lie.

Linc feigned affront. You wound me sir!

Jo and Arthur laughed, their chuckles mingling in the increasingly warm air.

Very well. I was a happy child. I laughed and I played outside a great deal of the time. A sadness passed over Linc so quickly Arthur wasnt sure he actually saw it. Was there more to his story than he revealed? But Linc pressed on. When I was cooped up in the house, I got lost in history books. Ive always been fascinated by the Greeks and Romans.

Arthur couldnt help but wonder if that was when Linc began to consider his interest in men, in addition to being attracted to women. Perhaps not a question he could ask

Not unlike your book about Polly, Jo, I discovered treaties that opened my eyes to all of the erotic possibilities in the world. He shrugged one shoulder as if perhaps a bit uncomfortable with his own path to self-discovery.

The turn in conversation gave Arthur the perfect excuse to ask Jo the question hed wanted to ask yesterday. Speaking of possibilitiesIm curious. Jo, have you ever been kissed?

She slanted a look at him. I was married, Arthur.

He smiled indulgently. Then he asked again, his voice growing rougher as he imagined what he wanted to do. Yes, but have you ever been properly kissed?

She hesitated, glanced from Linc to him. Well, when you ask like that, itit makes me think that perhaps I have not.

The fire crackled and popped in the silence as her face turned a delightful shade of pink.

Arthur wondered what she might be thinking. Had her thoughts strayed to the naughty book shed been reading yesterday? Hope bloomed, but this was Victorian England, not Paris, France.

Jo swallowed as her chin tipped up ever so slightly as if in invitation. Would you like to show me?

Linc inhaled sharply next to him, but said nothing.

Arthur leaned forward and reached up, cupping her face in his hand. I would very much like to do that. Would you like me to kiss you? Or perhaps you would prefer Linc to do it? He felt the need to give her the choice, though he wanted to be the one to show her what a proper kiss could be like.

Id like you to kiss me.

He darted a worried glance at Linc, who sat there perfectly still but for a slight nod. This may not be The Market, but that did not mean they could not enjoy watching.

She shifted her gaze to Linc. Andand then Id like you to kiss me as well.

Arthurs cock throbbed in his wool trousers as her words sank in. She wanted them both. I think we can accommodate that, he responded as he cast a confirming glance at Linc, who nodded.

No time to waste. Arthur leaned forward and slipped his hand from her cheek to the back of her neck to draw her closer. When he settled his lips on hers, she inhaled softly but did not tense and did not pull away. She was eager and willing, though beyond innocent even as a widow.

He slanted his lips along hers until she relaxed into him, then he slid his tongue along the seam of her lips. With a soft gasp of surprise, Jo opened wider, allowing him to slip inside to taste her sweetness. With a soft moan, her hands found his chest and latched onto his lapels. Following his lead, their tongues twined and tangled as he explored her mouth, and she responded in kind, his passion matched by her own.

Finally Arthur pulled back, allowing both of them to catch their breath.

Oh, my. Jo nearly whispered the words. Is it always like that?

Arthurs heart pounded in his chest as his cock throbbed in unison. No, not always. Only when its special.

She angled to face Linc, eager anticipation shone in her eyes.

Come here, my little Wood Sprite. Linc crooked his finger at her.

She moved toward him and unabashedly reached up to take hold of his jacket as she had Arthurs. Linc slipped an arm around her back and leaned down to sweep her into a kiss.

Arthur watched them, the sight deeply erotic. Linc had pulled Jo into his lap and angled her so she sat between them. Arthur leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the back of her neck as his hands eagerly spanned her waist. He couldnt help but enjoy the feel of her uncorseted curves in his hands.

Pressing up against her back, he brought his lips near her ear. May we loosen your gown, Jo? Wed very much like to see your breasts.

Linc groaned as he pulled back from their kiss to let her respond.

I dont know. She hesitated. I-I want to, but I know I shouldnt. I only just met you both.

Arthur bit back his groan. Widows take lovers all the time. He dropped a kiss on her neck.

Linc leaned back in and placed a kiss on her neck as he caressed her breast through her bodice. He murmured against her skin, Youve never known proper pleasure. Let us show you.

Jo seemed to melt against Linc. Yes, please, she panted softly.

Linc turned her around to face Arthur and he promptly captured her lips with his once again. As he plunged into her warm depths, Linc worked on loosening her gown. Arthur sank his fingers into her hair and reveled in the fact that he had all her sweetness on his tongue, and a hint of spice from Linc. His head spun as their tongues dueled. She was learning quickly and becoming less shy with each passing moment. Then her gown dipped and a linen covered breast spilled into one of his hands. The other was cupped by Linc as he kissed and sucked on the flesh at her neck and shoulder.

Jos nipple pebbled under his fingertips, growing hard as he plucked and twisted it. Her breathing grew more labored, the need to be inside her growing with each passing moment. But that was not where they were headed. He was certain, without having discussed it, that this would go no further than the two gentlemen giving her pleasuredoing only as they had promised.

Jo pulled back from him, ending their kiss as she whimpered with delight. Arthur leaned over and captured her nipple in his mouth and sucked through the thin linen. Lincs hands cupped both breasts, holding them up for Arthur as he moved from one to the other.

Then Jo pulled his face up and cupped each of their cheeks. Willwill you two kiss? I-I read about it in my book and would very much like to see two men kiss. She bit her lip and waited.

Lincs gaze clashed with Arthurs as if he was seeking approval. The moment felt heavy, tense, as if they both knew that there was no coming back from this one moment. Everything would change.

Then slowly, wordlessly, they moved together until their lips pressed together in a tentative kiss, each keeping a hand on Jo while she watched.

Arthurs heart hammered in his chest as their tongues tangled in a passionate kiss that grew more and more intense with each heartbeat. Hed been dreaming of this for weeks, perhaps months, if he was honest.

When they finally broke apart, they both looked at Jo. She sat there, eyes wide and mouth in a small round O of surprise.

That was incredibly erotic. I did not know two men kissing could be so arousing. Jos pulse raced, her nipples ached for their touch again, and her core throbbed with need.

This was so much more than what shed read in her book, and so much more than what shed imagined.

Linc growled, All of this is arousingyou are arousing. Now lay back, Jo. Let us show you what genuine pleasure comprises.

She did as directed and lay back on the quilt, heedless of the remnants of their lunch. The two handsome men moved to each side of her, where they leaned down and sucked one of her nipples into their mouths simultaneously. Her hands flew to their heads, whether to push them away or hold them closer, she wasnt sure, the pleasure was so intense. It grew into a pulse of desire that raced through her body from the heat of their mouths straight to her pussy.

As Jo lay there lost in sensation, she nearly missed the moment the cool air hit her thighsbut there was no missing the brush of a finger over her slick flesh between her legs. Then there was another touch, whirling over her opening. The passion bombarded her from all directions as these two men showed her what it was to be pleasured.

A feeling of restlessness coalesced in Jos belly then lower, growing as they continued to rub over her small bundle of nerves. A finger slid deep inside her, long and thick. Then a second finger joined it, filling her as another finger continued to circle over her nub. The fullness built until she thought she was going to burst.

Only then Linc did bite down on her nipple as one of them pinched her clit.

Jos world exploded into a thousand points of light as she arched up off the floor, nearly throwing them off her body. Yes! Oh God. Linc! Arthur!

Come for us, thats it, Jo. Arthurs baritone rumbled through her, stroking her sensitive nerves and melding with the aftershocks of her orgasm as they continued to stroke her body.

Slowly the spasms gentled until the pair of them settled down on the floor next to her, nuzzling and kissing her neck. She wasnt sure what deity she had pleased to have these men drop into her life, but she hoped they remained forever, or at least for a while.

Nothing good in her life ever lasted forever, not when her father was plotting. For now, they were her little secret. Her respite in the storm of her life. The only thing she wanted to know now was, when could she see them again?