Page 48 of The Season of Lady Chastity

In that moment, a rare second of utter honesty, Chastity remembered lying awake late at night as she and Prudence dreamed of their future. It was always just the two of them—together in a tiny cottage by the ocean or a grand manor house in Bath. Once, they’d even considered a move to Paris where they could live a small flat above a bookstore or bakery.

Had Prudence held onto those dreams all these years?

“And I will never walk away from you.” Chastity prayed her sister heard the sincerity of her words.

The truth and openness flowing between them was startling, and at the same time, foreign to both sisters. Their mutual understanding of one another through the years had left so many important things unsaid.

“I want you to be happy, but…” Prudence looked over Chastity’s shoulder, focusing on something beyond the two of them.

“As I want you to be happy. You are my sister, and I love you.” Chastity was unwilling to allow their bond to become any more strained. “But?”

“I do not know how to let you go, to explore what you want in life, without the void between us growing.”

“Mayhap we need to trust one another to know that neither of us wants to be apart,” Chastity said. “If we speak of it, decide it won’t happen, we can move forward. Confident that our bond can only strengthen.”

In unison, they reached out, clasping hands and staring into each other’s eyes.

It was something they’d done for years whenever they were scared, sick, or excited.

“Promise me you are not taking to Lord Mansfield to escape our life.”

Chastity smiled. “I think I am drawn to him because he is so much like you, Pru. He is loyal and compassionate but steadfast in his beliefs. He cares naught of what others think of him and his life. I cannot say our attachment will last past our time at Oxburgh, however. We have spoken of nothing serious.”

Prudence’s chin trembled, and Chastity saw her naturally strong sister deflate. She’d always been the one to take charge, to make things right, to tell Chastity everything would be okay. But somehow, that strength had morphed into a tight grip that had left Prudence feeling that if she loosened her hold, her life and everything she loved would slip away.

“I cannot think of my life without you, Chas”—Prudence squeezed her hands—“but I will never forgive myself if I make you continue on a path that does not bring you happiness.”

Chastity’s throat closed with relief. “Just as I will never force my decisions on you.”

Tears ran down Pru’s face and dripped off her chin, mirroring Chastity’s own tears.

“I love you, Chas.”

“And I, you, Pru. But we both have enough love to go around.”

To further instill her words and their meaning, Chastity gripped Pru’s hands tighter.

A gentle rap sounded on the door, and Chastity’s heart lightened.

“Come—” Chastity cleared the rasp from her throat. “Come in.”

The door swung open, and several maids bustled in, a copper tub and pails of steaming water in tow.

Chastity and Prudence released their grip on one another in the same instant and swiped the tears from their cheeks.

“A bath, my lady?” a maid asked, keeping her gaze averted from Chastity’s meager attire. “Lord Mansfield bid us bring it up directly.”

“Yes, thank you,” Chastity said, her heart swelling ever more at Bastian’s care. “By the hearth, please.”

Bastian had seen to her even after he departed. He’d left, but she hadn’t disappeared from his thoughts.

The hint of a smile touched Chastity’s lips.

“That is very thoughtful of Mansfield,” Prudence mumbled. “Or is it Bastian?”

“Bastian will do.” Chastity smiled again, the acceptance in her sister’s eyes making her heart swell ever more.

“Is he to court you?” Prudence inquired.