Love in the Moonlight: A Regency Romance All Hallows' Eve Collection: 7 Delightful Regency Romance All Hallows' Eve Stories (Regency Collections Book 6)
Page 1
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Epilogue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Here is Your Preview of The Mad Heiress and the Duke ~ Part 1 ~ The Mad Heiress Meets the Duke
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Epilogue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Love in the Moonlight:
A Regency Romance All Hallows’ Eve Collection
Seven Delightful Regency All Hallows’ Eve Stories from
Arietta Richmond
Catherine Windsor
Isabella Thorne
Kelly Anne Bruce
Alyce Healey
Lenora Levon
Katherine Keats
Dreamstone Publishing © 2017
www.dreamstonepublishing.com
Copyright © 2017 Dreamstone Publishing and Arietta Richmond, Catherine Windsor, Isabella Thorne, Kelly Anne Bruce, Alyce Healey, Lenora Levon and Katherine Keats
All rights reserved.
No parts of this work may be copied without the author’s permission.
ISBN-13: 978-1-925499-76-6
Disclaimer
These stories are works of fiction.
Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to events, locales or actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Introduction
We hope you enjoy this All Hallows’ Eve Collection of Regency Romance stories. As authors, we each have a different style, but we are brought together by our love for Regency Romance. This collection presents some very different heroes and heroines, but the common theme is that they all find love, despite trials and tribulations along the way, in some way related to the concept of All Hallows’ Eve – an ancient holiday that was the beginning from which the modern-day Halloween came. As a result, these stories have a rather more ‘gothic’ edge than our usual tales – enjoy!
We have each also given you a bonus, with some previews of our other books. We hope that you love reading these stories as much as we enjoyed writing them, and that you will also go on to enjoy all of our other Regency books!
Thanks for reading ‘Love in the Moonlight: A Regency Romance All Hallows’ Eve Collection’!
Arietta Richmond
Catherine Windsor
Isabella Thorne
Kelly Anne Bruce
Alyce Healey
Lenora Levon
Katherine Keats
Table of Contents
Introduction
Healing Lord Barton
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
About the Author
Here is your preview of Kissing the Duke of Hearts
Books in the ‘His Majesty’s Hounds’ Series
Books in ‘The Derbyshire Set’
The Earl’s Secret
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Epilogue
About the Author
Other Books by Catherine Windsor
Here is Your Preview of The Earl’s Desire
The Devil’s Book
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
About the Author
Other Books by Isabella Thorne
Here is Your Preview of The Mad Heiress and the Duke ~ Part 1 ~ The Mad Heiress Meets the Duke
A Bonfire to Remember
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
About the Author
Other Books by Kelly Anne Bruce
Here is Your Preview of The Duke’s Heart
The Duke’s Heroic Herbalist
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue
About the Author
Other Books by Alyce Healey
Here is Your Preview of The Duke’s Ignoble Imposter
The Superstitious Earl Finds Love
Chapter One
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Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Epilogue
About the Author
Other Books by Katherine Keats
Here is Your Preview of Christmas with the Duke
The Bride of Stirling
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
About the Author
Other Books by Lenora Levon
Here is Your Preview of A Gentleman’s Unexpected Choice
Other Books from Dreamstone Publishing
His Majesty’s Hounds – Book 9
Sweet and Clean Regency Romance
Healing Lord Barton
Arietta Richmond
Books by Arietta Richmond
His Majesty’s Hounds
Claiming the Heart of a Duke
Intriguing the Viscount
Giving a Heart of Lace
(a prequel to Winning the Merchant Earl)
Being Lady Harriet’s Hero
Enchanting the Duke
Redeeming the Marquess
Finding the Duke’s Heir
Winning the Merchant Earl
Healing Lord Barton
Kissing the Duke of Hearts (coming soon)
Loving the Bitter Baron (coming soon)
Rescuing the Countess (coming soon)
Attracting the Spymaster (coming soon)
Restoring the Earl’s Honour (coming soon)
The Derbyshire Set
A Gift of Love (Prequel short story)
A Devil’s Bargain (Prequel short story - coming soon)
The Earl’s Unexpected Bride
The Captain’s Compromised Heiress
The Viscount’s Unsuitable Affair
The Derbyshire Set, Omnibus Edition, Volume 1
(contains the first three books in a single volume.)
The Count’s Impetuous Seduction
The Rake’s Unlikely Redemption
The Marquess’ Scandalous Mistress
The Derbyshire Set, Omnibus Edition, Volume 2
(contains the second three books in a single volume.)
A Remembered Face (Bonus short story – coming soon)
The Marchioness’ Second Chance (coming soon)
A Viscount’s Reluctant Passion (coming soon)
Lady Theodora’s Christmas Wish
The Duke’s Improper Love (coming soon)
Other Books
The Scottish Governess (coming soon)
The Earl’s Reluctant Fiancée (coming soon)
The Crew of the Seadragon’s Soul Series,
(coming soon - a set of 10 linked novels)
Dedication
For everyone who had the grace to be patient while this book, and every other book that I have written, was coming into existence, who provided cups of tea, glasses of wine, and food, when the writing would not let me go, and endured countless times being asked for opinions (and reference books, and obscure military details, and more….).
For the readers who inspire me to continue writing, by buying my books! Especially for those of you who have taken the time to email me, or to leave reviews, and tell me what you love about these books, and what you’d like to see more of – thank you – I’m listening, I promise to write more about your favourite characters.
For my growing team of beta readers and advance reviewers – it’s thanks to you that others can enjoy these books in the best presentation possible!
And for all the writers of Regency Historical Romance, whose books I read, who inspired me to write in this fascinating period.
Chapter One
Lady Sybilla Barrington looked out of the carriage window at the imposing sight before her. The unseasonably cold summer had faded into a chill autumn, and the leaves had turned colour early. The scarp before her rose stark against a grey sky as the day faded into evening, and the harsh grey slash of rock cutting into the steep hillside looked the colour of old bone in the last of the day’s light.
Beneath it, built hard against the scarp, the aged stone of Greyscar Keep appeared as solid and unyielding as the rocks that loomed ominously above it. The last pink toned rays of the sun caught glints off the windows, making them seem red. For a moment, it was as if the house were bathed in blood.
The carriage hit a bump in the road, and Miss Millpost’s gentle snores ceased as she started from sleep to look out the window.
“Well I never! If that’s where we’re going, I’m not sure about this at all!”
“It is rather… imposing… isn’t it?”
“Ominous is the word I’d use, my girl. Did you really actually choose this place, having been here before?”
“I did. I must say, it looks even more dramatic than I remembered it.”
Miss Millpost gave a snort of disapproval, and looked away from the window. Mina, Sybilla’s maid, had taken one look out the window and looked away, shivering and pulling her carriage blanket tightly about her.
Sybilla could not drag her eyes away. She watched as the waning sunlight seemed to slide down the windows, allowing them to darken one by one, as if the blood was running out of the place. She shook her head, chiding herself for her whimsy – her plotting and planning her novel was obviously affecting her perceptions! Writing a gothic novel was one thing – seeing such things in the real world was another entirely.
Still, it was enough to give anyone the shivers, when seen in such a light. She remembered her mother’s expression when she had suggested Greyscar Keep as a location for her writing. But then, the Dowager Duchess of Melton had always disliked this house, so perhaps she was biased.
Sybilla had only visited Greyscar Keep a few times in her life, the last many years ago. But it had left a strong impression on her young mind. An impression enhanced by her mother’s dislike of it. She remembered it as a brooding pile of stone, with magnificent views across the surrounding countryside, and the sense of its age palpable in every part of it. She had, of course, been certain that there must be hidden passages, ancient treasures and dark secrets in abundance.
Now, at 20, and generally accorded a sensible young woman, she found herself still rather enamoured of the idea.
Which made it the perfect place to write her novel.
It had, however, taken her three months to convince her mother and brother of that fact.
At 20, most people of their acquaintance looked at her sadly, pitying her for not yet being married.
She had, perhaps, brought it upon herself, at least to some degree. First, her father and brother had been killed in a terrible carriage accident – an accident which she could not but feel was at least partly her fault. She pushed that thought aside. She would not dwell on it now.
A year of formal mourning had been a welcome escape from the Season that her mother had planned for her.
Then the war had ended, Hunter had finally come home, now bearing the title of Duke, and this year’s Season, he had been the focus of the ton’s attention, as the most eligible man in London.
She had not been in the least sorry to be eclipsed by her brother – especially as he had, in the end, chosen to marry her dear friend and neighbour, Lady Nerissa Loughbridge. But her mother was not quite so happy – she had hoped that Sybilla would find a suitor to her taste and be married by now as well.
Instead, whilst her younger sister Alyse was eagerly awaiting her Season next year, all that Sybilla wanted was somewhere quiet – somewhere that she could write her novel, ride good horses, and not ever have to speak of Balls and potential husbands again.
Let her mother fuss over Alyse, not her.
She had worn them down with persistence. She had
consulted her brother Charles, who managed Hunter’s estates for him, about which estates might best suit her plan to lock herself away to write. He had suggested Greyscar Keep jokingly, for if she wanted to write a gothic novel to rival those of Mrs Radcliffe, surely the best place to do so was in a gothic monstrosity of a house. He had been shocked when she had taken him seriously, and exclaimed with delight.
With a location chosen, she had needed one further thing, beyond her siblings’ support, to convince her mother to allow it. A chaperone. And when she had almost given up on finding a suitable solution to that issue, one had rather magically presented itself.
Gerald Otford, Baron Tillingford, one of Hunter’s closest friends, from his days as a member of the military unit which had been referred to as ‘His Majesty’s Hounds’, had sent a letter to all of the Hounds. In it, he spoke about an older lady, who had been companion to the Lady who had just married a friend of his. With her charge now married, Miss Millpost was attempting to settle into a genteel retirement in her cottage in the village of Casterfield Downs.
Except, as Baron Tillingford had pointed out, she was not very settled at all. She was an intelligent woman who liked a challenge, who like conversation, and who was, apparently, finding a quiet life in a small village rather more dull than suited her. Baron Tillingford had suggested that she would likely be delighted to take up new occupation, should they know of any opportunities which might suit her.
Sybilla thought that she sounded perfect, and had written to her immediately.
Their exchange of letters had resulted in Miss Millpost agreeing to take the position. Sybilla’s mother had, at first, been doubtful, but Baron Tillingford’s assurances had settled her to the idea.
Miss Millpost was very astute, an excellent chess player, well read in a number of languages, and a woman of distinct opinions. Sybilla found her amusing, and kind, under a gruff surface. She was also, Sybilla had discovered, passingly fond of a glass or two of madeira.
Gravel crunched under the wheels as they passed through the gates and onto the Greyscar Keep drive. The last of the sunlight was gone, leaving only the ghostlight of dusk as a pale blush above the scarp. The house itself was plunged in shadow.
Sybilla shivered, wondering if anyone was here. They had sent messages, warning the minimal staff who maintained the place of their impending arrival – but she could see no light. They made the last turn onto the curve of drive immediately in front of the house, and the carriage drew to a stop. The groom they had brought with them jumped down, and opened the carriage door. Simultaneously, a loud ominous creak echoed into the quiet night, and a person, followed by a huge distorted shadow thrown from the single small lantern that they carried, stepped out of the main door of the building.