Page 16 of The Season of Lady Chastity

He’d had every chance to mock her scandalous admission by the moat—or, at least avoid her after it. Yet, he’d gladly taken a seat next to her in the salon.

“My lord.” She gulped, drawing air deep into her lungs as she skidded around the final corner and entered the foyer. “Wait, Lord Mansfield.”

His shoulders tensed, but he turned around to face her, one foot on the first step ready to ascend. “Lady Chastity.” He inclined his head…and waited. When she remained quiet, he removed his foot from the stair and faced her fully, his stare focused on her face.

Yes, she’d called for him to halt. But what would she say was her reason for chasing after him?

“I—well…Lady Torrington wished for me to inquire after your plans for tomorrow. You see…there is an outing planned. Horseback riding…to the village.” She rambled and stuttered before cringing. “What I mean to say, my lord, is that I have been invited on the outing and would very much enjoy your company.”

Her forthright invitation startled her.

From Bastian’s raised brow, he was taken aback by her direct request, as well.

“May I escort you upstairs?” he asked.

On the surface, his question was far more inappropriate than her invite, but when he held out his arm, Chastity lightly set her gloved hand at his elbow, the heat from his skin burning through the layers of fabric that separated bare flesh from bare flesh. “I was on my way to my room to check on my sister.”

Bastian glanced at her out of the corner of his eye as they started up the stairs, and Chastity could not help but wonder if the sensation, the connection had been felt by him, too. “And I thought you’d fled the salon—abandoning your friends—to ask after my plans for tomorrow.” He pouted ever so slightly. “I am confident enough to admit I am disappointed.”

“Is that your attempt at humor, my lord?” She pleaded with herself to keep her hold on his arm relaxed, but her fingers tightened of their own accord.

“Perhaps, my lady,” he answered with a chuckle. “Truthfully, I cannot commit to the excursion tomorrow until I see to my mother. The journey to Oxburgh Hall was difficult for her.”

They knew so little of one another, and less about their respective lives. “Is she ailing?”

“Not in a physical sense.” They reached the landing and paused, neither willing or ready to bid the other goodnight. “My father passed away nearly a year ago, and my mother is not adjusting well.”

“I am sorry.” Chastity had thought the earl’s sullen nature was due to something trivial. “When I saw you by the moat…I thought, well—”

Bastian frowned, holding up his hand to halt her. “My moroseness this afternoon had naught to do with my father’s passing—or my mother.”

“The men, then?” The wall sconces on the upper floor had been dimmed for the evening, and a shadow shrouded Bastian’s face. She could not see his reaction, though she longed to… What? Comfort him? Be his friend? Know him beyond that of a mere acquaintance? “They called you Manny.”

“Manny was my father’s moniker. One he loved—and I loathe.” Bastian sighed, and she felt him pull away. He didn’t move physically, but it was as if leagues separated them just the same. “Old schoolmates. From Eton.”

“Did you know they would be in attendance?” she asked. “Most of the gathering is family and close friends.”

“I suspected. They were also associates of Montrose from University. It stands to reason that their bond from boyhood would continue to their adult lives. My time at Eton was not as memorable. I was called home long before finishing my schooling when my father fell ill.”

Chastity heard the words Bastian didn’t say: schoolmates, not friends. Montrose’s associates. Distance.

She, of all people, was familiar with putting distance between herself and others. Even her relationship with Pru had changed over the last several months. Chastity and her father had never been close, and Triston had only, in recent years, come to spend more time with his much younger sisters.

There had been hope—and perhaps a flicker still remained—that she and Edith would grow close. However, it was difficult to close the distance between herself and anyone with the note burning a hole in her pocket…and in her mind. She was keeping a secret from those who cared for her. She wanted to be bold in her honesty, yet she’d made a promise to Pru she wasn’t yet ready to betray. The note should have brought Chastity and her older sister close. All that had happened was that their differences had become vividly apparent, at least to Chastity.

But Bastian knew nothing of her, and he had no ties to her past—or her present.

The note wasn’t something she need discuss with him.

“If it gives you any relief, I have been acquainted with Roderick for many months, and have never met the group of lords. I do not think Roderick is overly familiar with any of them.”

“It doesn’t matter, truly,” Bastian said, his lighthearted air returning. He nodded, as if trying to convince himself and not Chastity. “They were part of a life I’ve long forgotten, a memory that occurred a lifetime ago and has no bearing on my present—or my future.”

They began walking again, Bastian’s stare trained on the corridor in front of them as Chastity’s hand slipped into her pocket to grasp the note.

A lifetime ago and no bearing on my present.

She longed to think the same about her mother’s letter. Unfortunately, the missive would dictate everything about her life to come: her name, her identity, and the many difficult decisions she’d likely be forced to make.