Page 30 of The Season of Lady Chastity

Never had she engaged in such an open and honest conversation—about anything.

She and Prudence had always been of a like mind and, therefore, extended conversations had never been necessary. Triston was so much older than his sisters that he continued to treat them as children even after they’d joined society. And their father, he’d fallen into the habit of forgetting their existence altogether at times.

But Bastian…Bastian was staring directly at her, begging her to explain how she could understand such a deep-seated sorrow, the need to protect a loved one, and the all-encompassing, crushing weight of the task.

Surprisingly, Chastity wanted to tell him how she went on, where she found her strength.

“I cannot understand your position implicitly; however, my family is not without our flaws and shortcomings.” They weren’t the correct words at all. Bastian had no shortcomings or flaws that Chastity had witnessed. “What I mean to say is that every family has those they feel the need to protect—at any cost. Do not think you are the only one.”

Chastity tore her stare from him before she said too much. She may have witnessed his family’s secret, but she could not share her own. She mustn’t speak of her mother’s possible infidelity—and how Chastity could now, even in this moment, be masquerading as a proper lady. The consequences would not only fall on Chastity and change the legacy of their mother but also condemn Prudence to a life marred by sordid tales of the past.

“How did you know about the valerian root?” he asked.

“My father’s wife has been known to use it to calm herself.” Chastity wrapped her arms around her middle as a draft blew down the hall, ruffling her hair. “She keeps it close, even travels with it.”

“I am grateful for your knowledge,” he admitted. “Our family physician was quick to give my mother laudanum to ease her attacks, but it was days before my mother returned to normal afterwards. I would rather sit with her all night than allow a tonic to take her from me for days at a time—and ravish her body until she is so gaunt she can barely walk.”

“I cannot disagree with you.” Whatever tension had flared between them earlier dissipated as if it had never been, leaving only the two of them.

As they’d met by the moat.

Bastian, lost in his own thoughts, although she understood his forlornness now in a way she hadn’t the previous day.

And she wanted to know more if only to distract her from her own troubles.

“Are you truly leaving tomorrow?” she asked.

She wouldn’t plead for him to stay, not at risk to his mother’s health. She had no right to request he remain.

“Mother says she will not hear of us departing a moment before the nuptials. While I do not agree with her decision, I will not argue with her.”

Another wave of relief washed over her. It was similar to the emotions she felt when she and Pru were separated and then once again reunited, but somehow, far more intense.

“Will you return downstairs?” He’d already confirmed he’d be staying for the remainder of the house party, and Chastity should know better than to press him for more, yet she could not help herself. There was no draw for her to return to the merriment in the salon if Bastian would not join them. “I believe there is to be—”

Laughter and the sound of footsteps approached. With the significant number of guests, even a manor house as grand as Oxburgh Hall could not be expected to give Chastity and Bastian any amount of privacy.

“Chastity!” Lady Lucianna called from down the hall. “Prudence has been fretting over your whereabouts since our meal ended and we retired to the salon.”

“I have not—”

“Do not be silly, Pru.” Edith stepped around the corner, Prudence clasped tightly to her side. “She has been quite the bore, asking every few minutes to be released to find you.”

“Luci wouldn’t hear of it.” Lady Hawke trailed behind Edith, Luci, and Pru, a book tucked under her arm. “We agreed to help find you on my way to deliver another book to Lady Mansfield.”

Lady Luci, ever the coy hellion, halted before them, glancing from Bastian to Chastity before giving a wink. “I see you are in good hands. Very good hands, indeed.”

“See, Pru, Chastity is perfectly tended to.” Edith giggled.

Prudence’s disapproving glare told Chastity she should expect a severe discussion when next her sister got her alone. Yet, it was no different than the looks she’d garnered from Pru in recent months. How they’d gone from thick as thieves to utter strangers in such a short time was incomprehensible.

Chastity wanted to share everything with her sister: her fears about their mother’s letter, her longing to be more than an overlooked wallflower, and, most recently, everything about Lord Mansfield—Bastian.

But she couldn’t.

“Good evening, ladies.” Bastian nodded to the newly arrived group. His unease at being surrounded by so many strangers was apparent. “Lady Hawke, my many thanks for taking my mother and her reading interests to heart. I must say, she will likely contact you frequently for advice on the subject.”

When Ophelia giggled, and Prudence stiffened, giving the lady a stern look, Chastity suspected that the group had partaken of a glass of sherry—or three.