F or the second night in a row, Chastity lay awake most of the night. She told herself that any woman being forced into marriage wouldn’t be able to sleep. But her mind kept returning to the moment when Sir Stirling had stepped so close that she could smell the sweet brandy on his breath. "What would do me some good?" he’d murmured in a husky voice that sent a shiver down her arms.

The man had been flirting with her. Nae, this was more than flirting. This was seduction. He was very, very dangerous.

She prayed the plan she had set in motion would put an end to their betrothal.

In the morning, when the wake-up knock came to her door, Chastity was already sitting at the small secretary in her room. She spent the day in her room, uninterrupted by anyone, her father included. Thankfully Sir Stirling didn't make an appearance at Gledstone Hall until nine p.m., when he arrived to pick up her and her father for the ball at the Marquess of Byrne’s home. This time, Chastity was ready when Sir Stirling arrived. When the evening’s events came to light, her father would not be able to accuse her of causing problems.

Sir Stirling made polite conversation and complimented her on how beautiful she looked. "We shan't stay out too late, my lady," he said. "I know how you love to rise early."

He knew nothing of the sort, but she smiled and thanked him.

They arrived at the marquess’ home, and when they entered the ballroom, Chastity was a bundle of nerves. Guilt began to pick at her, but she battled the feeling with the understanding that she would make Sir Stirling a terrible wife. She was doing them both a favor by making sure they didn't marry.

Of course, if Sir Stirling proved to be unique among his sex, her plan would fail and she would accept her fate. But the man who had stared down at her with such intense desire was not a man to turn away a beautiful woman. The duke would not countenance his eldest daughter, the future Duchess of Roxburgh, marrying a man who made love to another woman the night before he was to wed his daughter.

Chastity thought of her sisters’ three husbands. She didn't know the men well, but they did appear to be in love with their wives. If Sir Stirling had expressed any kind of real affection for her, she might have considered a different path. But what was she losing by breaking off an engagement to a man who only wanted her father's title?

Lady Byers rushed to greet them. "Your Grace." She dropped into a deep curtsy.

He grasped her hand and urged her upright. "Thank you for having us here tonight."

"It is my pleasure." She turned to Chastity. "Lady Chastity, you are looking fine."

Chastity angled her head. "As always, you are beautiful, Lady Byers."

The lady gave her attention to Sir Stirling and extended her hand. "A pleasure, as always, sir."

He grasped her gloved hand and dutifully bent over it. He was the modicum of proper manners, but Chastity had the strange feeling that there was a history between them.

He straightened and released her hand.

She again faced the Duke. "If you would like to come with me, Your Grace, I'm sure my husband will be pleased to see you."

He looked at Sir Stirling, who said, "As you will, Your Grace. Chastity and I will dance." His eyes swung onto her. “If she will do me the honor."

Chastity angled her head in agreement, and her father left with Lady Byers. Sir Stirling led her toward the dance floor. As she feared, they were immediately set upon.

"Lady Chastity."

Chastity looked left and saw the young Miss Doncaster approaching. Chastity groaned at sight of the three women who hurried to keep up with her. Sir Stirling turned toward the young women, and Chastity glimpsed the laughter that tugged at his mouth.

Miss Doncaster reached them first and said, "How wonderful to see you, my lady. We were certain you wouldn't be here, what with your wedding tomorrow." She cast a knowing glance at her friends. The nearest, Lady Madeleine, a girl of seventeen, clearly should have remained home with her school chums. She looked at Sir Stirling with such adoration that Chastity had to force back an eye roll. Sir Stirling looked at Chastity, brows raised, clearly half amused and half urging her to properly introduce him to the young ladies.

Chastity reminded herself of her goal tonight, and smiled sweetly. "Sir Stirling, may I introduce Miss Doncaster, Lady Madeleine--" Chastity nodded at the adoring blonde. "Lady Henrietta, and Lady Sanders."

The girls each blushed when Sir Stirling bent over their hands, and Chastity wondered if she'd ever been that dewy-eyed. Nae, she didn't think so. Like Jessica, Chastity left the womb just as she was today: practical, levelheaded, and unromantic. Even when she eloped with Everston, she hadn't had stars in her eyes as these girls did.

True, she'd misjudged him—or, at least, had misjudged her situation. His character wasn't a bad one. He had—she still believed—loved her, and she had loved him. Or so she thought. Seeing her sisters so happy made her wonder if she understood love at all, or if she'd experienced it as she thought she had. Her father may not have been as wrong as she thought to have forbidden the marriage. She shook off her thoughts and realized Miss Doncaster was speaking.

"How amazing that you and your sisters are marrying in so short a period of time. We had no idea any of you were engaged."

"So unusual," Lady Henrietta said. "Will you marry by special license, as your sisters did?”

“Of course they will,” Miss Doncaster said. "There has been only the one announcement in the papers for their engagement."

Chastity's mind snapped to attention. Was that censure she heard in the girl’s voice? Yes, but there was more. The girl was jealous. The young ladies very obviously had stopped Chastity and Sir Stirling in order to obtain an introduction to a handsome, wealthy man. But there was more in Miss Doncaster’s comments.

Chastity looked down her nose at the girl. "Miss Doncaster, I feel certain that you do not mean to imply that there was a ’need’ for my sisters and I to marry?"

The girl's eyes widened. The other young ladies looked at her in confusion.

"Need?" Lady Madeleine said, then her eyes widened as well. "Oh, my, no, Lady Chastity. We did not mean to imply that at all. We think it’s romantic."

"I was not addressing you, Lady Madeleine," Chastity said in frosty tones.

Miss Doncaster blanched. "Oh no, my lady, I did not mean to imply that at all. Please forgive the misunderstanding.”

"I advise you not to give anyone else that impression, even by mistake," she said. "The duke would not be pleased."

Miss Doncaster’s eyes widened even more. "Nae, my lady, of course not." She glanced at her friends. "Come, ladies, I cannot be long away from my mother.” She curtsied to Chastity. "It was a pleasure to see you, my lady." She whirled and hurried away, her friends in tow.

"Remind me never to make you angry."

Chastity jerked her gaze onto Sir Stirling. Unbridled male delight danced in his eyes. “You will make a brilliant duchess."

Chastity scowled. "That was your handiwork."

His brow shot up. "Mine? How so?"

"If you hadn't rushed my sisters to the altar, no one would suspect impropriety.”

"Forgive me, but I believe it was you who insisted on the month deadline."

"Only because I didn't believe anyone could accomplish such a thing," she muttered.

His expression turned downright wicked. "Now you know."

Chastity started. Aye, the man was dangerous.