Chapter 19

19

“Chastity, darling, might I have a moment?” asked Dorian.

Chastity looked up from the book she was reading, removed her spectacles, and smiled at her brother. Twenty days since the beginning of the house party, and it was the first time she’d had a moment to draw a breath at Pryde’s estate and to be alone. But Dorian wasn’t just anyone. She’d always have time for her brother.

“Certainly.” She closed the book and laid it under the volume that held Romeo and Juliet , which she was supposed to read and memorize.

Pryde had a stunning library. Unusually, it was painted all in white to capture as much of light coming from the large, tall windows as possible, allowing one more daylight to spend poring over books. Dozens of bookshelves lined the walls holding innumerable colorful tomes. Pryde’s family were obsessed with their lineage and history. There were several artifacts standing between the books, as well as more history and philosophy books than she could count. Plenty of books on biology, too. She had found an old tome of Andreas Vesalius, the renowned medieval anatomist.

She stood up. “Is everything all right?”

Dorian came to her, watching her carefully, looking strangely unsure. His shoulders were high and tense, his hands clasped together, and he licked his lips, looking at her from under his eyebrows. “I just wondered,” he said when he stood next to her, “if you are all right?”

She frowned and cleared her throat. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You—uh—you changed. In the time we’ve been here, you’ve done several things you told me your entire life you’d never do. Including dressing in pretty gowns. Flirting. Er…all those years you could have found a husband in the London season, but it seems it’s just now that you’ve come to equip yourself with this purpose. Did something happen?”

A blush crept into her cheeks and burned her skin. What was she supposed to say to that? That she’d made a scandalous bet with his best friend? That she was going to find herself a husband, but wouldn’t marry him?

That she was going to prove to Lucien she was capable of anything?

That Lucien had seduced her? Twice?

And she’d loved it?

“Well, brother. Yes, I suppose you couldn’t help but notice I’ve changed.”

“It was difficult to miss. And I was aware of the new wardrobe, obviously. But that’s not all, is it? Lucien did say you wanted to get better at social communications. But it seems to me you’re after more than that.”

She sighed. She supposed there was no way to escape the truth now. “Yes. Well. I’d like to secure a proposal from Lord Wardbury.”

His eyebrows rose. “Why? You’ve always claimed you don’t want marriage!”

She pressed her lips together for a moment. “Because…er…because…”

Oh, she could never tell him about Lucien! Should she lie? For pity’s sake…

“Because I want him to approve of my doing research in St. Thomas’s.”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“But… It’s marriage. That’s completely different. You don’t have to marry him to secure his approval.”

“I think I do.”

“And even if you marry him, it doesn’t mean he’s going to allow you to do research. In fact, the opposite could be the case.”

She sighed. “I know. But it’s just…seeing you so happy, after years and years of misery, it inspired me to, perhaps, be open to my own happiness.”

Dorian’s head snapped back. “Indeed?”

“Yes.”

“With…Lord Wardbury?”

“Yes. Is there anything wrong with him?”

He blinked. “I suppose not. Not that I’ve heard. But, Chastity, don’t you think you should have talked to me about this before doing anything?”

“Why should I?”

“Because I’m the head of this family. It’ll be up to me to negotiate the marriage contract, to arrange your dowry, and, well, to make sure you’re marrying a good man.” He turned in a circle, threading his fingers through his hair nervously. “Damnation, sister, I was set on the idea of you being a spinster. How can I ever get used to the possibility of giving you away to any man? No one deserves the bright and beautiful person that you are. No one is ever going to be worthy of you. Not in my eyes.”

Chastity’s heart swelled and her eyes prickled with tears. She had just opened her mouth to say how much it meant to her that he cared for her happiness when there was a swoosh of the door.

“Lady Chastity,” said Lord Wardbury, who stood in the open doorframe with a smile and a nod. His grin disappeared when he met Dorian’s gaze. “Rath.”

“Lord Wardbury,” said Dorian as he turned to him, his arms crossed over his chest.

Dorian frowned at Lord Wardbury, who made his way towards them somewhat sheepishly. Wardbury was a tall and well-built man, but he appeared to begin stooping his shoulders. As though there was an invisible radius around Dorian, he passed him at a significant distance. She supposed everyone would to try to avoid a lion.

“Lady Chastity,” he said as he came to her and smiled again. “I was hoping to run some lines from Romeo and Juliet with you. If you have time.”

Dorian cleared his throat. “From Romeo and Juliet ?” he said. “Do you think it’s an appropriate play to rehearse unchaperoned?”

“But…well…you’re here.”

“Yes. But you didn’t know that, did you?”

Lord Wardbury cleared his throat, his eyes wide as though he had just been scolded for using incorrect French grammar by his furious master. “I did not. But I would have ensured everything was proper. I wouldn’t want to endanger Lady Chastity’s reputation.”

Dorian hemmed and sighed. “Very well. Before you begin, Wardbury, can you tell me, what is your family’s situation?”

“Er…how do you mean?” Wardbury asked. “Forgive me, I’m unclear.”

“I mean, as an earl, surely you’re looking to continue the line. Are you not?”

Lord Wardbury rubbed one hand over the other nervously and threw a quick glance at Chastity. “Yes. Yes, I must. As a duke, you know that.”

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“I do, indeed, two brothers and a sister.”

Chastity sighed. “Dorian, please?—”

“No. This is important. The man spends time with my sister, I must be made aware of the circumstances.”

There was another knock at the door, and Mr. Audley came in. “Ah, there you are, Lady Chastity. And, er…Lord Wardbury… And Your Grace…”

Dorian’s scowl deepened. “Can my sister help you, Mr. Audley?”

“I was just wondering if you would like a walk in the garden, Lady Chastity. I wanted to talk through your notes on my poem… They were most valuable!”

Chastity’s heart lurched. She was genuinely curious about the poem, since she had so few people to talk to about literature. “I would love that, Mr. Audley, though right now, I wished to rehearse a scene with Lord Wardbury.”

“Oh, right, of course. Allow me to help, then,” said Mr. Audley eagerly as he walked in, his deep and soulful eyes intense in his handsome face surrounded by unruly curls. “I’m the director, after all.”

Mr. Audley came in and picked up the book of Shakespeare, Dorian watching him with a stern face. He opened it and threw a glance at Chastity. “Purple looks stunning on you, Lady Chastity,” he added. “And your notes on my poem inspired me immensely. You’re brilliant.”

Dorian’s face went slack in shock. Chastity’s face warmed. She wished no one’s compliments but Lucien’s, and hearing about her appearance from other men made her uncomfortable. She had just opened her mouth to thank him when the door creaked yet again.

“Lady Chastity,” came another voice, and Captain Harrington’s face appeared. He scanned the room. “You’re occupied. I had hoped to see if you wished to ride with me to the village and…well…I was told you were in the library.”

“Ah,” said Dorian, “Captain Harrington. Please do join this afternoon party.”

His gaze locked with Chastity’s. Party of baboons , she knew he was thinking and suppressed the smile threatening to spread on her lips. What a ridiculous situation. Would she ever in her wildest dreams have imagined her brother in the company of three of her suitors, trying to manage them?

“Very well,” said Captain Harrington with a hesitant smile to her brother and a warm one to Chastity. He walked into the room and nodded politely to everyone. “Lady Chastity, you’re a sight for sore eyes.”

Chastity had just opened her mouth to thank him when Dorian snapped, “Captain Harrington, are you not soon due back to the war?”

The captain nodded. “Indeed, though I have no dates as of yet.”

“A noble way to earn one’s living,” said Chastity to Dorian, who hemmed.

Both of them knew one of his best friends, Lord Spencer Seaton, had been press-ganged into the navy, served in the war, and returned last year to learn that he had lost the title of duke and most of his fortune. But he had found love. So really Dorian could not criticize a navy captain, no matter how much he wanted to find fault with such a suitor.

“Excuse me, Mr. Audley,” he said. “May I ask after your family’s situation?”

“I— Well, my papa left me a significant fortune. I, of course, have no title, but my uncle twice removed is a viscount. And I am in no need of further fortune…” He looked at Chastity and gave a charming smile. “Nor do I require a dowry.”

Chastity’s heart jumped at that.

Lord Wardbury’s brows snapped together. “Neither do I, Rath. My family’s position is more than comfortable. My wife will have everything her heart desires and certainly won’t need to alter her lifestyle from that of a duke’s sister. And I do possess a title.”

Audley and Wardbury glared at each other.

Dorian’s eyebrows crawled up to his hairline as he caught Chastity’s gaze. Chastity was ready to burst into laughter. These two looked like roosters about to fight.

“I,” added Captain Harrington in haste, “have received honors in the war, as well as a significant fortune. Besides, my family?—”

But he didn’t get to finish his sentence as, yet again, the door opened and the only man who mattered came in, slowly looking everyone over. Lucien looked from Dorian to Chastity. Her heart began fluttering in her chest, as though it had just grown wings.

Lucien’s eyes widened as he took in the scene before him. He hesitated for a moment, clearly caught off guard by the gathering. “I…er…” he began. “I was looking for…a book on horticulture. Pryde mentioned he had a rare volume on exotic plants.”

His gaze darted around the room, landing briefly on Chastity again before quickly being averted. He cleared his throat, addressing the other men in an attempt to appear casual. “Gentlemen, I see you’re all engrossed in…literary pursuits,” he said, his tone slightly strained.

Chastity’s and Lucien’s eyes locked. She saw the torment in their gorgeous violet depths, the way he quickly drew a breath. He did say he didn’t want to be excluded from her list of suitors. Now was his chance. Would he fight for her? Lay out his claim alongside these gentlemen for everyone—including Dorian—to see?

“Ah, Lucien,” Dorian said, looking somewhat relieved, “perfect timing. Please, join us. We were just talking about family, fortune, and what makes a deserving husband candidate. I’d appreciate your insightful questions, friend.”

Lucien looked away from Chastity, and her heart sank with disappointment. Even before he replied, she knew he wasn’t going to fight for her. “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Lucien said. “This looks like a family affair. It’s best I return later.” Chastity noticed a flicker of something in his eyes as he looked at her again—sadness? Regret? Before she could discern it, Lucien chuckled, though it sounded forced to her ears. “Please do remember no one deserves your sister.”

Chastity swallowed hard as Dorian’s jaw ticked. “I don’t need that reminder, Lucien, believe me.”

With one last, sorrowful glance at Chastity, Lucien turned and left. As the door closed behind him, Chastity found herself wishing she could exchange all three suitors for just one, the one who wasn’t here.

She remained surrounded by her brother, as furious as a lion, and the three men who now looked like frightened sheep.