Page 32 of Their Brazen Countess (The Lustful Lords #6)

Two Weeks Later

L inc took another look at himself in the looking glass before turning to Arthur. Nervous?

God, no. The planning took longer than Id hopedprocuring that bloody special license was excruciatingthough I am glad your injury had time to heal. Now Im just ready for her to be ours. Arthurs grin stretched from ear to ear.

Linc felt a pit in his stomach. Ours . He loved both of them, but unwanted doubt crept in again. Hed willingly let Arthur marry her so his family line could continue, but it didnt stop the feeling of separateness from creeping in. Jealousy was an insidious thing, a craven thing. He squashed it down ruthlessly. As am I.

How do I look? Arthur brushed his fingertips down the front of his morning coat.

Handsome enough to sweep our Wood Sprite off her feet. Linc couldnt hide his smile.

Arthur pulled him in for a kiss. Their lips met as their tongues tangled in a fierce display of dominance. Linc liked to fight a little and make Arthur work for it. Finally, the man was pinned against his body, his growing erection pressing against his as he surrendered to Arthurs claim. The doubts and ugliness of moments before faded into obscurity.

A knock on the door broke their kiss.

Come in. Arthur rasped out as they each fought to regain their breath.

Emily stuck her head in the room. The guests have started to arrive. You should come down soon.

Ill go. Linc reached up and cupped Arthurs face. Ill give you two a moment. He slipped past Emily as she stepped into the room and closed the door.

Arthur couldnt believe the day had finally come. He was getting married, to the two people he loved most in the world. As he watched his sister move into the room, his heart swelled with affection for Jo, Linc, and, of course, his sister.

Dont you look handsome in all your finery? Emily smiled as her eyes filled with tears.

Tears, Em? Arthurs heart lurched. She wasnt upset about his choice, was she?

Tears of joy. She dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. I never thought this day would ever come. The way you kept dodging the marriage mart, I expected you to be a lonely old manor I had thought that, until you found Linc. Now Im just overjoyed for both of you that you found another person to add to your family.

Arthur opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace. It felt good to have his little sister there with him as he embarked on this new part of his life. Thank you. None of it would have been possible without your prodding and bullying.

She chuckled wetly. True. Someone had to see you didnt shirk your duty.

He hugged her tightly. I love you Em.

I love you too. His sister returned his embrace. Now its time to go downstairs so this can get started.

Shall we? Arthur gestured toward the door.

Absolutely. She grinned at him as they walked out of the room. By the way, your bride looks amazing.

Dont spoil it for me, he said, aghast. Besides, my bride always looks amazing.

Em shook her head. You are utterly besotted.

Indeed I am.

Jo paced from one end of her room to the other. Emily had just left to go see about her brother, but Theo was still with her as the other ladies were downstairs greeting guests. Emily and Linc were standing as witnesses for them, so Theo was there to help her stay calm.

She snorted at that thought. There was no keeping her calm.

The ceremony should start soon, Theo said from where she sat.

Not soon enough. Jo shook her hands out at her sides. What is taking so bloody long?

A knock sounded and Emily popped her head around the door. Its time.

Jos heart fluttered in her chest as Theo handed her the flowers she was going to carry. She looked down at the beautiful gown Emily had found for her to wear. It was cream with lace trim that had a soft green velvet ribbon woven through it around the hem, the sleeves, and the rather scandalous neckline.

This was it.

Theo smiled at her one last time and slipped out of the room.

Then Emily, her future sister-in-law, looked at her. I know Ive told you this already, but you look lovely. Arthur and Linc will be beside themselves.

I cant wait to see them. Jos heart swelled with the love that felt like it would spill over and escape her body.

Then lets go. Emily smiled. Her soft green dress complemented Jos gown. They walked downstairs and into the Stonemeres ballroom where all the guests were waiting.

The music started, and Emily headed down the aisle, and then it was Jos turn.

As she walked toward her future, she noted all the people who had come to stand witness. For the first time, butterflies danced in her stomach as she walked toward the man she would marry in the eyes of the law. Next she spotted her sister, who smiled at her with love in her eyes. Jo was glad shed decided to invite her sister. As expected, Becca had been nothing but supportive of Jos marriage. Hopefully, her father was still in the dark about what was truly happening. Then suddenly she had reached the top of the aisle and Arthur was looking at her as though she were his whole world. Just beside him stood Linc, Arthurs best man, who looked just as taken with her.

The butterflies in Jos stomach dissipated only to be replaced by a warmth that spoke of the love she felt for both men.

The ceremony flew by in a whirl of words until the reverend said, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

When Arthur kissed her long and deep, quite contrary to what the wedding service, required, a chuckle rippled through most of the people present. Once they walked down the aisle together, everyone followed them out to wish them well. From there the guests not staying for the second ceremony filtered out, including the vicar who had married them and her son Matthew, who was bundled up and taken upstairs to the nursery to play with the other children.

Once the crowd had dwindled to the Lustful Lords, their wives, her sister and brother-in-law, Lord and Lady Carlisle, and Lord and Lady Hartfield, they were ready to hold the second ceremony.

Stone stood where the vicar had stood a short while before, and Jo stood between Linc and Arthur. We are gathered here to stand witness as the three of you commit your hearts to one another. Do you, Arthur, swear your heart and soul to Linc and to Jo for all eternity?

Arthur looked at each of them for a moment. I do.

Do you, Linc, swear your heart and soul to Arthur and to Jo for all eternity?

He did the same, looking at each of them in turn. I do.

Do you, Jo, swear your heart and soul to Arthur and to Linc for all eternity?

She looked at each of them as well. Without a doubt, I do. She wanted to grab each of them and pull them close. She could never be close enough.

Three hearts entwined to beat as one. Three souls merged to live as one, Stone intoned the words with warmth which reverberated through Jos core.

Before another word could be spoken, a ruckus arose outside of the ballroom and the door burst open.

Wheres my daughter? Everyone turned as Jos father stormed into the ballroom. Get the bloody hell away from my daughter!

Arthur stepped in front of her as Linc flanked him. Mr. Marshall, you were not invited to this gathering. Please remove yourself.

The hell I shall! the man blustered. Im here for my daughter.

Jo resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the man and his shenanigans.

This was everything she had feared would happen. How he could have forgotten her two dead husbands and her third and final! marriage, she could not fathom. But the man held no power over her. He had not for many years now.

Jos sister stepped forward. Papa, stop it.

R-Rebecca? What are you doing here? He sounded shocked that his other daughter was in attendance.

Im watching Jo get married. For the third time, but finally to someonetwo someonesshe actually loves. Rebecca looked at her father pointedly.

Mr. Marshall sputtered, trying to retort, but Jo stepped from around her husbandsthey both belonged to her now.

Father, you should go. Im married again. You have no control over me, no say in what I do.

You ungrateful little tramp ! Two men! His face turned red as his hands fisted uselessly at his sides.

Jo drew up to her full five feet five inches, standing with her men at her back. Thats Lady Dunmere to you. Now, I suggest you leavebefore you are thrown out.

Ill disown you, you hussy. No one in polite society will receive you! her father bellowed as he strode a few steps forward.

But Flint and Wolf stepped in his path as Arthur and Linc drew her behind them. Two footmen appeared and with their help, her father was escorted from the room.

Disown her? Was the man mad? He was nobody in Societypossibly less than nobody, without the association of her or her sister. Hed never once in his life protected her. Hed merely used her as a bargaining chip over and over again.

As Jo watched him leave, she realized she had long since lost any love she may have once felt for him. That part of her life was over. It was time to start her new life.

As her father was dragged from the room, Arthur turned to her. Are you well, Jo?

At that same moment, her sister rushed up to them. Jo, Im so sorry. I swear I did not tell him about your wedding today.

Jo looked at her sisters stricken countenance and knew Becca would never have shared such information with him. Her younger sister was just as grateful to be free of his clutches as Jo was. I know, Becca. There were no banns as Arthur secured a special license, but Im sure word got around once the invitations went out. She looked at Arthur and Linc. I fear, in our efforts to legitimize our union, we may have exposed ourselves to my father. We can but hope that word has gotten to Lord Downs as well.

Becca hugged her tightly before releasing her. Please, dont let his disruption sour your special day. If there is more to the ceremony, you three should continue on.

Only if Jo is in a calm enough state to do so. Arthurs gaze fixed on her, seeming to penetrate right to her very soul. She knew without a doubt they would stop things then and there if she wished it.

Absolutely. Linc pressed a hand to her back as he leaned in. This can wait if you need a moment, Wood Sprite.

She shook her head. No, Ill not let that wretched man spoil one more moment of my life. Lets finish what we started.

Stone chuckled. Did any of you have anything you would like to add?

Arthur nodded. I promise to love and protect you both, never taking either of you for granted. I shall give you both the shelter of my body and my home and promise to seek the same from you when I am in need. And Jo, I promise to love Matthew as if he were of my flesh and blood.

Jos heart squeezed as a soft sigh escaped her. Beside her, she felt a small shudder run through Linc. I love you Arthur and you Linc, and I shall for the rest of my days. She let the love that filled her burst through as she smiled at each man in turn.

Stone looked at the remaining partner with a silent eyebrow lift.

Linc cleared his throat. I love you, Arthur, and you, Jo, and our boy Matthew. I promise to make all of you laugh and to ensure all of Jos curiosity is slaked to the best of my ability. Whatever is mine is yours, including my heart.

Then I pronounce you all bound for eternity. Stone grinned. You may all kiss.

Arthur pushed Jo into Lincs arms first. The man kissed her as though they had no audience, her toes curling as he bent her backwards a bit. When he released her, Arthur was there to take over. He kissed her just as thoroughly, his tongue tangling with hers in an erotic kiss full of promise. Then he set her back from him and reached for Linc. Before everyone, he hauled the man in for an equally long kiss. Jo swore she would melt into a puddle just watching them. Behind her, a few of the women sighed softly as everyone watched.

Then Arthur released Linc and looked at their friends and family gathered there. I believe breakfast is in order!

Everyone pushed forward to congratulate the three of them as they made their way into the dining room, where a lavish breakfast awaited them. Jo tamped down her excitement as she staved off thoughts of the night to come, and tried to eat. She would need her strength.