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Enlightenment #1.5
Seasons Pass
Note: Seasons Pass was written as a bonus story for readers and is intended to be read after the full trilogy - it contains spoilers for book 3.
It's April 1822 and two years have passed since Lord Murdo Balfour was last in Edinburgh; two years since he met low-born lawyer, David Lauriston. Back then, Lauriston's naïve idealism and self-loathing provoked Murdo's scorn, yet Murdo has not been able to forget him.
When Murdo is asked by his father to return to Edinburgh for the King's forthcoming Scottish visit, his memories of his last time in the city are stirred up again. Frustrated by his inability to forget Lauriston, he decides to seek refuge in an anonymous encounter at Kit Redford's discreet establishment. But will Murdo find the oblivion he seeks at Kit's, or something else entirely?
__________
Word count: 5,910
It's April 1822 and two years have passed since Lord Murdo Balfour was last in Edinburgh; two years since he met low-born lawyer, David Lauriston. Back then, Lauriston's naïve idealism and self-loathing provoked Murdo's scorn, yet Murdo has not been able to forget him.
When Murdo is asked by his father to return to Edinburgh for the King's forthcoming Scottish visit, his memories of his last time in the city are stirred up again. Frustrated by his inability to forget Lauriston, he decides to seek refuge in an anonymous encounter at Kit Redford's discreet establishment. But will Murdo find the oblivion he seeks at Kit's, or something else entirely?
__________
Word count: 5,910
17 pages, ebook
First published October 24, 2014
102 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Chambers
41 books1,219 followersJoanna Chambers' muse likes red wine, coffee and won't let Joanna clean the house or watch television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
November 19, 2025
What a lovely little short story snack!
It just felt so good to come back to this world and these characters, I just love them endlessly 🥹
Off to The Bequest, right my lovely Teru? 🧡💙
It just felt so good to come back to this world and these characters, I just love them endlessly 🥹
Off to The Bequest, right my lovely Teru? 🧡💙
May 23, 2025
YOOOOO I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT TO BE THE SCENE WE SAW IN MURDOS POV HAHAHAHA.
The fact that this is what made Murdo realise he wanted to see David again has me dying. That man never stood a chance against falling in love with David Lauriston.
A very brief 17 page free snippet before saying goodbye to these two wonderful lovers. Although set between book 1 and 2, it contains spoilers for book 3, so make sure you read it afterwards.
The fact that this is what made Murdo realise he wanted to see David again has me dying. That man never stood a chance against falling in love with David Lauriston.
A very brief 17 page free snippet before saying goodbye to these two wonderful lovers. Although set between book 1 and 2, it contains spoilers for book 3, so make sure you read it afterwards.
May 25, 2025
This was a lovely extra addition to David and Murdo’s story! Finally Murdo’s POV! It was wonderful seeing into his head at the time when he realises he needs David in his life. And what a scene to make him realise!! Hilarious! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 This has also piqued my interest in Sinclair’s story, although I dont think anyone can beat how much I love Murdo and David together.
July 21, 2021
❤️❤️MURDO❤️❤️
Wonderful peek into the mind of Murdo. What a journey he’s taken over the trilogy & I love this snapshot into his head between books 2 & 3!
Wonderful peek into the mind of Murdo. What a journey he’s taken over the trilogy & I love this snapshot into his head between books 2 & 3!
October 25, 2014
Oh my...
Murdo.
*takes a deep breath*
Talk about a crystal clear yet fuzzy-edged piece of the puzzle sliding into place. The act itself is quiet but the resulting ripples are undeniable, a most deliciously bright glow revealing this man's heart.
As usual, Ms. Chambers' writing is confident, knowledgeable, both in subject and character, and oh so satisfyingly scrumptious. Warm. Needful. Honest. There really is no place to hide.
We know the what and where and a bit of the why but not truly the why.
Even in this little ditty, Chambers manages to build and build and then surprise me, to which I react with glee. Glee, I tells you, glee.
If you've read her Enlightenment series, this fits between Enlightened and Beguiled.
If you haven't, and you're looking for a historical series in which to sink your teeth (and so much more), then I highly recommend this'n. The series is from David's point of view, so getting this from Murdo's is a treasured treat.
*sigh* this makes me want to read them all again...
Murdo.
*takes a deep breath*
Talk about a crystal clear yet fuzzy-edged piece of the puzzle sliding into place. The act itself is quiet but the resulting ripples are undeniable, a most deliciously bright glow revealing this man's heart.
As usual, Ms. Chambers' writing is confident, knowledgeable, both in subject and character, and oh so satisfyingly scrumptious. Warm. Needful. Honest. There really is no place to hide.
We know the what and where and a bit of the why but not truly the why.
Even in this little ditty, Chambers manages to build and build and then surprise me, to which I react with glee. Glee, I tells you, glee.
If you've read her Enlightenment series, this fits between Enlightened and Beguiled.
If you haven't, and you're looking for a historical series in which to sink your teeth (and so much more), then I highly recommend this'n. The series is from David's point of view, so getting this from Murdo's is a treasured treat.
*sigh* this makes me want to read them all again...
December 27, 2017
Pure Murdo! ❤ Loved to get his thoughts prior to Enlightened.
September 26, 2024
Reread 09/2024
Loved to get Murdo's pov although it was only a glimpse
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Read 05/2024
Great short story, Murdo's pov.
Loved to get Murdo's pov although it was only a glimpse
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Read 05/2024
Great short story, Murdo's pov.
November 17, 2025
This was a lovely novella from Murdo’s POV. Proving all along, he never stood a chance to resist falling in love with David.
March 14, 2016
Season's Pass is a short interlude that takes place between the first and second book of Joanna Chambers series Enlightenment. Following a dinner with his father at which he is 'requested' to represent the family in Edinburgh Murdo returns home and discovers an invitation from Kit Redford to attend a reception at a very exclusive gentlemen's club as innocuous as it looks Murdo knows the importance of this invitation and complies.
It is here that he encounters Kit Redford, the club's owner as well as his friend Iain Sinclair, so really this is where the story begins for me. Don't get me wrong I quite like Murdo and David (who is not actually on page in this short story) but I FREAKING LOVE IAIN SINCLAIR!!!!
I want a whole book about Iain and the mysterious James who we met in this story very briefly. James seems to ruffle Iain's composure to the extreme. So we need to know about him. Who is he? What is his relationship to Iain? Is there a romantic entanglement? And maybe we could have a bit of Kit Redford in this story as well because he also intrigued me.
So there you have it 20 pages and I've already read all of the books in this series yet the author has me desperate for more, not about Murdo and David, although I wouldn't turn my nose up at that either, but what I'd really, really love as I said is more about Iain, James and Kit. Historical fiction is still not a huge favorite of mine but the men of Enlightenment seem to be good at getting my attention in spite of that.
It is here that he encounters Kit Redford, the club's owner as well as his friend Iain Sinclair, so really this is where the story begins for me. Don't get me wrong I quite like Murdo and David (who is not actually on page in this short story) but I FREAKING LOVE IAIN SINCLAIR!!!!
I want a whole book about Iain and the mysterious James who we met in this story very briefly. James seems to ruffle Iain's composure to the extreme. So we need to know about him. Who is he? What is his relationship to Iain? Is there a romantic entanglement? And maybe we could have a bit of Kit Redford in this story as well because he also intrigued me.
So there you have it 20 pages and I've already read all of the books in this series yet the author has me desperate for more, not about Murdo and David, although I wouldn't turn my nose up at that either, but what I'd really, really love as I said is more about Iain, James and Kit. Historical fiction is still not a huge favorite of mine but the men of Enlightenment seem to be good at getting my attention in spite of that.
September 25, 2024
2020 reread: Just want to warn everyone that although this is #1.5, it shouldn't be read until after book 3, Enlightened, or something important will be spoiled. (It says as much in the blurb, but then not all of us read the blurbs, now do we.) Oh, and I'm rounding up from 3.5 stars to a full 4 stars, because I'm appreciating David & Murdo's story even more the second time through.
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The primary virtue of this story for me is that it addresses the personality change Murdo undergoes between books 1 and 2. I can now see how the kinder, gentler version of Murdo came to be.
After 2 years apart, he's still thinking of David, still haunted by memories of their time together -- and, ultimately, unable to accept that they might never see each other again. A humbling experience for sure. So when Murdo returns to Edinburgh in Book 2, it now makes sense to me that he behaves toward David with more respect and more appreciation than he did in the first book.
3.5 stars for this story's role in the series; it's obviously not intended as a stand-alone. I would have rated it higher if Murdo's voice had been more distinctive.
_______
The primary virtue of this story for me is that it addresses the personality change Murdo undergoes between books 1 and 2. I can now see how the kinder, gentler version of Murdo came to be.
After 2 years apart, he's still thinking of David, still haunted by memories of their time together -- and, ultimately, unable to accept that they might never see each other again. A humbling experience for sure. So when Murdo returns to Edinburgh in Book 2, it now makes sense to me that he behaves toward David with more respect and more appreciation than he did in the first book.
3.5 stars for this story's role in the series; it's obviously not intended as a stand-alone. I would have rated it higher if Murdo's voice had been more distinctive.
July 14, 2021
3.8 stars ⭐️ I love this cute little snippet that was told by Murdo’s POV so much. I was dying to know what feelings crossing Murdo’s mind always, and all the answers were given to me by Seasons Pass
Oh, Murdo you're utterly captivated by David. There is only one option to recover from your heart soreness. Go for David!!!
Oh, Murdo you're utterly captivated by David. There is only one option to recover from your heart soreness. Go for David!!!
November 15, 2025
This was a lovely little snippet showing just how much Murdo tried not to want David and failed miserably 😂
June 27, 2020
Lovely little snippet in Murdo's POV, set between book 1 and 2.
2 years is a long time, but Murdo has not forgotten his stubborn lawyer in Edinburgh. I loved seeing what motivates him to return to Scotland to rekindle their relationship.
But beware and heed the author's warning - do not read this before you've finished book 3! THere are some serious spoilers here.
2 years is a long time, but Murdo has not forgotten his stubborn lawyer in Edinburgh. I loved seeing what motivates him to return to Scotland to rekindle their relationship.
But beware and heed the author's warning - do not read this before you've finished book 3! THere are some serious spoilers here.
March 11, 2018
I really understand why Murdo feels as deeply for David as he does after reading this story. The cold heartlessness of sex without love repels some as it consumes others. Murdo, who needs warmth to counterbalance the cold and calculating upbringing he endured, would find David's uncompromising centeredness utterly irresistible, and David's priggishness comforting. I hadn't really understood that until I read this.
And now I'm reading Unnatural...without having read this, the entire story would've taken me too long to immerse myself within and I'd've lost the thread early on. I recommend reading the story in its proper chronological place inside the series.
And now I'm reading Unnatural...without having read this, the entire story would've taken me too long to immerse myself within and I'd've lost the thread early on. I recommend reading the story in its proper chronological place inside the series.
March 18, 2022
A great short story that provides more insight into Murdo.
November 24, 2025
An interesting glimpse into Murdo's state of mind after the events of book one. He is so dickmatized lmao.
October 13, 2020
This short is set between book 1 and 2 in the series timeline, but should be read after book 3 because it contains big spoilers.
I don’t know why I gave this only 3 stars after my first read, since I didn’t review it, but I’m adding one star now. If nothing else, because of the precious insight it gives into Murdo’s state of mind before he at the beginning of the second book. The main series tells us all about what that time was like for David and even though Murdo is much more communicative than David, getting his POV even for a short time was a real treat.
I don’t know why I gave this only 3 stars after my first read, since I didn’t review it, but I’m adding one star now. If nothing else, because of the precious insight it gives into Murdo’s state of mind before he at the beginning of the second book. The main series tells us all about what that time was like for David and even though Murdo is much more communicative than David, getting his POV even for a short time was a real treat.
June 4, 2017
Seasons Pass is chronologically between Provoked and Beguiled in the Enlightenment Series. But don't read this until you have finished the series! It contains something that is a central plot point revealed in Enlightened. And it introduces the main characters of Unnatural- the newest Englightment series book.
Seasons Pass is the only book in the series told from Murdo's POV and this delicious little story is like that final odd puzzle piece that completes the entire picture. Murdo abruptly realizes he hasn't been enjoying the life of the unashamed hedonist he once claimed to be and it's because he has unfinished business with David Lauritsen. 5 stars!
Seasons Pass is the only book in the series told from Murdo's POV and this delicious little story is like that final odd puzzle piece that completes the entire picture. Murdo abruptly realizes he hasn't been enjoying the life of the unashamed hedonist he once claimed to be and it's because he has unfinished business with David Lauritsen. 5 stars!
October 26, 2014
When Joanna Chambers wrote in her newsletter that we would have a free short story from MURDO'S perspective, I was jubilant!! I LOVED MURDO! But the "Enlightenment" Trilogy was written from David's perspective. We never got to read Murdo's. So he was still a bit of a mystery even if his feeling to David was as clear as day. So having this one was a delight.
It was truly very short, only around 5,900 k, but it gave a very good 'information' about Murdo's state of mind during the two years gap. That he still had David Lauriston on his mind, that he couldn't truly forgot about him. One thing though, this story also gave a VERY good tease (possibility of a new couple story?!?) of Captain Iain Sinclair (a character appeared in Beguiled) and this guy, James.
And I know I would read them if it's ever written because clearly Joanna Chambers has become one of my favorite authors ...
It was truly very short, only around 5,900 k, but it gave a very good 'information' about Murdo's state of mind during the two years gap. That he still had David Lauriston on his mind, that he couldn't truly forgot about him. One thing though, this story also gave a VERY good tease (possibility of a new couple story?!?) of Captain Iain Sinclair (a character appeared in Beguiled) and this guy, James.
And I know I would read them if it's ever written because clearly Joanna Chambers has become one of my favorite authors ...
November 16, 2014
I love this series! The Enlightenment series is one of the most romantic and wonderful reads and David and Murdo are one of my favorite couples! So this was just a delicious nugget...
This short story, from Murdo's POV, takes place between books 1 and 2. It's Murdo's "night out" in a high-priced sex club essentially. You get a sense for Murdo and the effect David had on him from the beginning. I LOVE seeing things through Murdo's eyes. And as much as I adore this man, I think the REAL prize in this short was meeting James and wondering about his relationship to Murdo's friend, Captain Iain Sinclair. AND YES...come to find, Joanna Chambers is writing their book next!
I can't wait!
A treat for fans of the series! Enjoy!
January 17, 2021
How funny that this is exactly what I mentioned I wanted in my review for book two. Clearly, based on the author's note, I wasn't the only one!
February 13, 2016
Ok, so I've just had it proved to me twice in one day. The reason it's bad for me to read these shorts *and I usually don't* after I've finished a series is because it just makes me want to run right back and read it all over again.
*sigh* I loved Murdo from the start and I did love getting to see inside his head, as the Enlightenment series is from David's POV, but now I miss them.
This series is a definite re-read someday!
*sigh* I loved Murdo from the start and I did love getting to see inside his head, as the Enlightenment series is from David's POV, but now I miss them.
This series is a definite re-read someday!
July 5, 2025
4.0 ⭐️
March 24, 2016
Impromtu BR with Julie.
*3,5 stars*
Okay, this only makes me want to continue this series this instant!!!
After 2 years!!! Murdo still thinks about David. He hasn't been up to Edinburgh because he's been avoiding meeting him again.
But he can't get him out of his mind. When at a club, he notices a man that resembles David, he realizes he must see David again!!
And there, beneath a cold spring moon, he made his decision. He would go to Edinburgh in the summer and he would seek Lauriston out.
He would try to purge this absurd obsession once and for all.
Also the secondary character, Iain Sinclair and this mysterious James...... hmmmm interesting!!!
May 9, 2016
Este relato corto nos dice mucho más de lo que parece... Atentos.
Murdo, I love you.
Murdo, I love you.
October 18, 2020
A delightful little glimpse into Murdo’s mind!
February 1, 2015
It was interesting to see what was going through Murdo's head 2 years after he last saw David.
Very nice.
February 4, 2019
....
2.5 stars
This is an event in Murdo's life that led him back to David. It also seems like a set up for Iain and James story.
2.5 stars
This is an event in Murdo's life that led him back to David. It also seems like a set up for Iain and James story.
July 28, 2025
Thrilled to have Murdo's POV, but it just made me want more!
Free short story (author newsletter sign-up), you can find it here.
Should be read after book 3, and it contains minor spoilers for book 4.
Free short story (author newsletter sign-up), you can find it here.
Should be read after book 3, and it contains minor spoilers for book 4.
January 23, 2018
Interesting look into Murdo's POV. I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews