The Season of Lady Chastity (The Undaunted Debutantes Book 4)

by Christina McKnight

  They were one and the same.

  Just as she was the plain, unnoteworthy youngest daughter of a marquis but also the witty, charming Lady Chastity the earl had first encountered.

  It had only taken the right man at the exact right time to reveal it.

  Perhaps Chastity was much like her mother, but only when close to the one lord who mattered.

  “You are going to do all of those things before a proper introduction has been made?” Her father had longed for Chastity and Prudence to take suitable gentlemen if only to make certain they were cared for and no longer his responsibility. However, meeting Bastian for the first time as he asked for Chastity’s hand? She wasn’t certain how her father would react to that.

  “Torrington is on my side,” he said with a shrug. “It is time I live, not merely watch as life passes me by.”

  “Well, you will have fierce advocacy from my brother,” she jested. “Anything my father is against, Triston will be for. It is the way of their relationship.”

  “I know only one thing, Chastity. I am for you.” Bastian laid his fingers against her cheek, the warmth of his flesh suffusing her skin through his gloves.

  “As I am for you.” She turned and placed a light kiss on the palm of his hand. “I love you, Bastian.”

  “I love you, too.” His fingers trailed down her cheek to her neck, and a shiver ran through her. “Today, tomorrow, a year from now. Sitting by a moat or in a moat.”

  They both laughed—laughed so hard and long, Chastity’s stomach ached.

  A series of three thumps sounded, rattling the door on its hinges and echoing through the library.

  “Bastian, are you ready to meet my father?” she asked.

  Instead of an answer, he took hold of her hand, and they started for the library door, together.

  She’d come to Oxburgh Hall determined to be someone more than she’d always been; more than a wallflower, more than a debutante on the fringes of a ballroom, more than the forgotten Downshire daughter. To live in a way her mother had embraced: bold, brazen, and unapologetic.

  Yet, her search for the identity of her mother’s dearest Cam had only led Chastity to discover herself—who she wanted to be, and how she wanted to live her life.

  She’d wanted to shine, to step into the spotlight, to grasp even a thin sliver of her mother’s passion for life.

  It had taken the man at her side to show her that she hadn’t needed to be noticed by all of society, just one earl.

  Bastian.

  A new hope blossomed within Chastity as Bastian pulled the library door open, and all those Chastity loved spilled into the room to officially meet the lord she’d given her heart to.

  Epilogue

  London, England

  February 1816

  “You, what?” Chastity stared between her betrothed, her sister, and Lady Mansfield, unable to fathom what Prudence had just announced and why Bastian’s mother was bouncing in her seat and clapping her hands. Her mouth hung open in surprise as she attempted to understand what had come over her sister.

  Prudence’s chin lifted a notch. “I am going to Dover, to Mother’s family estate.”

  Bastian’s hand found Chastity’s under the long dining table and squeezed her fingers.

  “But why?” Chastity demanded.

  “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 fee
l 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.”

  Bastian was nothing if not understanding. His compassion was one of the many things that drew her to him. “How do you always know the perfect things to say in every situation?”

  “Me?” he asked, his brow rising. “No, not in every situation, only those that affect the woman I love.”

  Chastity’s heart melted a bit more each time he spoke of his affection for her, which was often and in all company. Their families had become used to Bastian’s declarations of love and, wonderfully, Chastity had, too.

  If she’d learned anything from her mother, it was that life was short and unpredictable.

  From Bastian, she’d learned to embrace life and not let it pass her by.

  The two philosophies had empowered Chastity to become the woman she was today: bold in her love for Bastian, and confident in the woman she was.

  “I think we are going to take a walk in the gardens.” Doc Durpentire stood and went to help Lady Mansfield from her chair. “Is that not right, Isabella?”

  “The air is frigid and bone-chilling,” Bastian said, addressing the doctor. “Please make certain—”

  “Clarence has already sent for my heavy, winter cloak and matching muff, Bastian.”

  “Thank you for the reminder, my lord.” Doc Durpentire seemed to understand Bastian’s caution where his mother’s health was concerned. Though it was startling that she hadn’t suffered an attack since they returned to London from Oxburgh Hall. “Shall we, Isabella?”

  Lady Mansfield pushed to her feet and laid her hand at the doctor’s elbow. “Yes, my dear.”

  After the pair had departed the room, Bastian turned to Chastity.

  “What is it?” Concern filled her voice.

  “I will have you promise me something…”

  “Anything.” Her concern turned to conviction.

  “Whomever this Cam fellow is, he brought you to me, just as I believe he will bring contentment, love, and happiness to Lady Prudence in some way.” Bastian smiled, obviously remembering their time together at Luci’s Christmastide wedding. “Promise me you will not interfere with Prudence’s journey.”

  “I promise,” she murmured.

  “And if you find yourself with time to fret over your sister,” Bastian said, leaning close to her, “it is my responsibility to distract you—and oh, the many ways of distraction I have learned of late.”

  A laugh bubbled up within Chastity; however, Bastian pressed his mouth to hers before it escaped.

  As he deepened their kiss, Chastity parted her lips, flicking her tongue out to graze his bottom lip before sucking it into her mouth.

  After a moment, Bastian pulled back, his brows lowered in question. “I thought it was I who was to distract you, my love.”

  “Mayhap I have learned a few things since our meeting, as well.” At that moment, Chastity did laugh as she pushed from her chair and moved to sit in Bastian’s lap.

  The discrete squeak of the dining room door closing proceeded the departure of Bastian’s footman as Chastity adjusted her seat and took Bastian’s face between her open palms.

  “I look forward to hearing all you’ve learned.”

  Forever gone was the pensive, reserved man she’d stumbled upon by the moat, and in his place was a lord so fiercely in love with Chastity she wondered how she’d ever lived a moment without him.

  If you enjoyed Chastity’s story,

  you’ll LOVE the rest of The Undaunted Debutantes Series!

  The Disappearance of Lady Edith

  The Misfortune of Lady Lucianna

  The Misadventures of Lady Ophelia

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  Also by Christina McKnight

  Don’t miss the USA TODAY Bestselling Series

  A Lady Forsaken Series

  Shunned No More, Book One

  Forgotten No More, Book Two

  Scorned Ever More, Book Three

  Christmas Ever More, Book Four

  Hidden No More, Book Five

  A Lady Forsaken Box Set (Books 1-5)

  Craven House Series

  The Thief Steals Her Earl

  The Mistress Enchants Her Marquis

  The Madame Catches Her Duke

  The Gambler Wagers Her Baron

  The Undaunted Debutantes Series

  The Disappearance of Lady Edith

  The Misfortune of Lady Lucianna

  The Misadventures of Lady Ophelia

  The Season of Lady Chastity

  The Desires of Lady Prudence

  Lady Archer’s Creed Series

  Theodora by Christina McKnight

  Georgina by Amanda Mariel

  Adeline by Christina McKnight

  Josephine by Amanda Mariel

  Standalone Stories

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  Earl of St. Seville: Wicked Regency Romance

  Fated For The Duke

  Connected By A Kiss Series

  A Kiss At Christmastide (Book One)

  By Christina McKnight

  How To Kiss A Rogue (Book Two)

  By Amanda Mariel

  A Wallflower’s Christmas Kiss (Book Three)

  By Dawn Brower

  Author’s Notes

  Thank you for reading THE SEASON OF LADY CHASTITY! If you enjoyed Chastity’s story, be sure to write a brief review at any retailer.

  I’d love to hear from you!

  You can contact me at:

  Christina@christinamcknight.com

  Or write me at:

  P.O. Box 1017

  Patterson, CA 95363

  www.ChristinaMcKnight.com

  Check out my website for giveaways, book reviews, and information on my upcoming projects, or connect with me through social media at:

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  About Christina McKnight

  USA TODAY Bestselling Author Christina McKnight writes emotional and intricate Regency Romance with rebellious women and maverick heroes.

  Her books combine romance and mystery, exploring themes of redemption and forgiveness. When not writing she enjoys trying new coffeehouses, visiting wine bars, traveling the world, and watching television.

  www.christinamcknight.com

  christina@christinamcknight.com

  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, I have to send endless thanks to Marc—the love of my life, my biggest supporter, my rock when doubts threaten to overcome my confidence. Because of YOU, I am able to do what I love.

  There are so many people who support my passion for writing. Here are a few I am blessed to call friend: Lauren Stewart, Amanda Mariel, Debbie Haston, Angie Stanton, Theresa Baer, Ava Stone, Roxanne Stellmacher, Laura Cummings, Dawn Borbon, Suzi Parker, Jennifer Vella, Brandi Johnson, and Latisha Kahn. Thank you all for accepting me for, well, me.

  Love is having Erica Monroe in my life—she’s also an amazing critique partner, friend, confidant, and fellow wine lover. Note: I found her first…you can’t have her. (Exception made only for Mr. M).

  A very special thank you to my editor, Chelle Olson with Literally Addicted to Detail, your skill and professionalism surpass all that I exp
ected. Chelle Olson can be contracted by email at literallyaddictedtodetail@yahoo.com.

  And to my proofreader, Anja with Hourglass Editing, thank you for embarking on yet another journey with me.

  Finally, thank you for supporting indie authors.