Page 61 of The Season of Lady Chastity

“Lady Camden said the dress was from Mother’s coming-out ball, which means, someone in Dover will surely know who her dearest Cam is.” Prudence sat back in her chair and nodded for a footman to remove her plate.

“Why do you care who Dearest Cam is?” Both Chastity and Prudence had kept up the charade that the letter had been all but forgotten once they departed Oxburgh Hall the morning after Bastian had declared his love for Chastity and plans were set in motion for them to wed. “You said it was of no consequence.”

“I know what I said, Chastity.”

“My love—”

Chastity held up her hand to silence Bastian. “I am not saying I am against you traveling to Dover for answers, sister. However, our wedding is a mere week away”—with her free hand, she reached across the table for Prudence’s—“and I need you here.”

Her sister’s gaze softened. “I would never miss your wedding, Chas.”

“Then why are you going now?” Chastity demanded. “Why not wait until after the wedding and we can all go together: you, me, and Bastian.”

Shaking her head, Prudence turned to Bastian. “You’ve planned a holiday in Bath for you and Chastity following the ceremony, have you not?”

“It could be postponed.” Bastian shrugged.

Chastity relished Bastian’s dedication to not only her but Prudence, as well. In all the weeks since their return from the country, he’d never made her sister feel like an outsider or as if she were unwanted.

“Oh, heavens,” Lady Mansfield snapped. “My dear Prudence can handle herself in Dover just fine without the pair of you tagging along.”

Since their betrothal, Lady Mansfield had taken to the role of mother not only for Chastity but Prudence, as well. Neither woman had realized how many special moments had passed them by because they hadn’t a mother to share them with. Prudence, while still satisfied with her place in the shadows, had taken to dressing in hues other than pastels. She’d even worn Lady Mansfield’s pearl necklace and matching earrings to Bastian and Chastity’s betrothal ball. Much to Chastity’s chagrin, though she’d been asked to dance nearly a dozen times, Pru had turned each gentleman down with a pleasant smile and words of apology.

“It doesn’t matter, truly.” Prudence stood. “Father has said I may go…if I dance with three gentlemen come your wedding celebration.”

“And Bastian, Colin, and Roderick do not count?” Chastity asked.

“Father made no mention of disqualifying men.”

Bastian chuckled.

“Who will accompany you?” This time, it was Doc Durpentire who spoke. He’d become a regular at Bastian’s townhouse, joining them for meals, escorting Lady Mansfield about town, and overseeing her health. “I cannot think your father agreed to allow you to travel to Dover without a chaperone.”

Prudence’s shoulders stiffened in the exact way they always did when she was preparing to tell Chastity something her sister might disagree with. “Lady Camden and I are traveling together. Her estate borders Mother’s family lands, and I will reside with her during my stay.”

“I suppose you’ve thought through everything already.” Lady Camden was a kind, generous woman and would see to Prudence’s well-being as if Pru were her own child.

“If you do not mind.” Prudence wrung her hands before her. “I will take the carriage and return home to prepare for my trip. I will send the driver back to retrieve you.”

“Bastian will see me home,” Chastity said. Since their return to London, their father had once again disappeared, and Chastity, as well as Prudence, had been spending most of their time at the Mansfield townhouse. “Lady Mansfield and I have to select flowers for the wedding—oh, and decide between pheasant and duck for our evening meal.”

Prudence smiled. It had become more of an occurrence since she and Bastian had come to know one another more, though Chastity noticed it never quite reached her sister’s eyes. She was happy for Bastian and Chastity, that was apparent, but something was missing.

Chastity did not prod her sister on the matter, for she knew the feeling all too well.

Thankfully, Chastity’s own search had come to a happy conclusion. Bastian was exactly what she’d sought.

If Prudence were searching for something, Chastity had to allow her sister to find it on her own.

“Do travel safely, Pru. I will be home in a few hours.”

Prudence said her goodbyes and departed, leaving Chastity, Bastian, Lady Mansfield, and the doctor behind.

“She will come to no harm,” Bastian whispered. “Lady Prudence is smart and resilient.”

“I know, it is only…I started this search for Mother’s dearest Cam, and I feel as if I am abandoning Pru to complete the unwanted task on her own,” Chastity confessed, her chest aching. “Prudence never wanted to learn the addressee’s identity, but after Lady Camden let slip the letter had likely been written before my father met my mother, Prudence has taken an interest in it.”

“Look at me.” At Bastian’s quiet request, Chastity lifted her gaze to his. “After we are wed and our holiday in Bath is over, we will join Lady Prudence in her search. Until then, allow her to forge her own path.”