A Gentleman by Moonlight

by Bethany M. Sefchick

  And when Lewis finally pushed inside of Sophia, she could not help but cry out again - this time with pleasure and not in pain. With each stroke, this man that she loved was erasing the memory of that awful night. She would never forget it, but Alex Selby's actions would no longer rule her or her body. Nor would he rule her heart.

  For Sophia's heart belonged to Lewis now, and likely would for the rest of their lives.

  Epilogue

  December 1820

  Seldon Park

  Sussex

  Town Tattler

  What can I say? Only that I predicted this outcome, did I not? The wedding of Lady Sophia Reynolds to the newly named Earl of Hunterdon, previously known as our very own Lord Lewis Blackmore, was truly something to behold. Yes, yes, I am well aware that the ceremony held at the family chapel at Seldon Park was only for show and that they were legally wed by special license several weeks past, but that is beside the point. The bride and groom are clearly blissfully happy, which does put a rather nice point on the so-called "Romance of the Little Season," does it not? Well, it does for me, certainly.

  And now, the time has come, my dear readers, for me to put down my pen once and for all. This time, there is no going back. I am weary, you see. As you read this, know that I have already departed the cozy confines of our beloved London for the solitude of the country. Will I return to Town? I cannot say. If I do, it shall not be as your faithful author. Of that much, I am certain.

  No, there is a new voice that shall take my place in the coming year. I have given her leave to use the Town Tattler name. For this was not my column, dear readers, but rather yours. For it is all about you. Your lives and the lives of your neighbors, family and friends. And so it shall remain. And it will be in good hands.

  -Madame C

  "Do you honestly believe that she is gone for good?" Sophia asked Lewis as she rolled over in the bed they shared within the snug little guest cottage at Seldon Park. This was their honeymoon, after all, and Candlewood had been very insistent that they use the remote cottage as they saw fit. Then again, that might also be because the duke had little use for "sickening love birds being underfoot," as he had so charmingly put it the other night. "I have to confess that I shall miss the woman. She was a bit cantankerous at the end, but otherwise, she seemed like a good sort."

  "Nicholas assures me that she is gone from Town for good, though I have no idea how he can be so certain." Lewis tossed the paper, which was delivered promptly to Seldon Park from London each morning, to the floor. "But enough about her. Let us talk about our future." He waggled his eyebrows at her, making his scar twist a bit in the process. "And what we shall name our first child."

  Lying on her back, Sophia sighed in pure bliss. When Lewis placed his hand over her still-flat stomach she sighed again. "You assume that I can bear you a child. We do not know for certain that I can."

  "We also do not know if you might already be increasing," he reminded her playfully. "We have only been wed a month. Not to mention that we have enjoyed plenty of practice in that regard." He smiled cheekily and she knew that it was meant to put her at ease.

  It had come as a surprise to both of them when Sophia's courses had returned shortly after the night of Lady Metford's ball. Given the number of times that they had come together in his bed, Sophia, at least, had been certain that she was pregnant. She was more than a bit disappointed to learn that she was not. Lewis, however, reminded her that, in his experience, these sorts of blessed events took time. Sometimes even months. Which was why he had all but insisted upon so much practice when she was able to accommodate him again.

  That did not mean that Sophia was still not a bit concerned about the matter. She wanted to give Lewis a child. Still, she was young and healthy yet and she was certain that a babe would arrive in time. She simply wished that it would be sooner rather than later. Though a Christmastide babe at this time next year might also be a very delightful event indeed.

  "Or we can decide where we shall reside now that you are the earl. There are so many estates to choose from, though I must confess that I do like the sound of the one called Thistle Meadow. I had no idea that your uncle had amassed such vast holdings." Sophia decided that on such a cozy, rainy morning, they did not need to dwell upon the topic of a child and that a change in discussion might be in order. Especially since all of their meals were promptly delivered by Seldon Park's staff and she and Lewis did not even have to emerge from the little guest cottage for dinner each night if they did not wish to. Thus far, they had not, instead preferring to indulge in other evening activities that were far more entertaining to both of them than parlor games.

  "Nor did I." Lewis stretched out lazily next to his wife, yanking the sheet away from her naked body when she would have otherwise covered up so that he could fondle her breasts contentedly. "Who would have thought that Ludlow was such a gambler? Certainly not I! Nor my father, it seems."

  In fact, it had come as something of a surprise to all when Candlewood's personal solicitor had returned from Bedfordshire to report that the young man who was infamous for never having left his home, was something of both a rake and a gambler, even at the tender age of eighteen. When he had inherited his title, Ludlow Crew had made the decision to invite the world to Bedfordshire rather than venturing out into the world.

  And the world, it seemed, had responded rather enthusiastically.

  His father Horace, having been utterly embarrassed that his son was incapable of stepping outside of his front door, had never even bothered to notice that his son had a miraculous gift with numbers and had been slowly but steadily increasing the family's fortunes on the side, all without ever receiving anything more than a basic education from his tutors. So no one, not even those that flocked to Crestfield, the Hunterdon country seat, for Ludlow's lavish parties realized that instead of playing cards with a man that most considered simply an "odd duck," they were, in fact, playing cards with a mathematical wizard who was likely to beat them every time.

  During his brief but profitable run hosting his parties, Ludlow had nearly quadrupled the fortune in the family coffers, acquired seven additional properties around England as well as one in Scotland, and possibly sired one illegitimate heir. No one was certain about that last part, but it was moot anyway as the child had died about a year after birth from the same unknown disease that had affected his father and claimed Ludlow himself not long after.

  These disreputable dealings and Horace Crew's unthinkable edict, as well as the possible bastard, had left one Miss Modesty Watts in something of a bad spot as well, for she was in love with the local baker and wanted nothing to do with the "disgusting" Blackmore slash Crew family as a whole. Therefore, when Candlewood's solicitor had informed her that the new earl would not hold her to the contract and that her father would be handsomely paid for his troubles in the past, as well as awarded a small barony for his efforts, both of the Watts celebrated rather loudly. Or so Lewis was told.

  That very same solicitor had delivered the happy news to the various denizens of the small section of Bedfordshire the Crews had called home and was only too glad to report back that he felt that Lewis truly had gotten the better end of the deal. Especially as Miss Modesty Watts was not nearly so modest as her name implied, given that she was already greatly with child - presumably the town baker's - when the solicitor met with her and her father to announce the dissolution of the contract.

  "Well, I, for one, am simply glad that things have worked out so splendidly." Sophia sighed and arched languidly into her husband's hungry touch. "And that the man that Society once called a gentleman by moonlight only is now an actual gentleman. It will be nice not to be constantly gossiped about in the papers as well, I will grant you."

  "Things might not have gone so well had you not ventured out to face my father that morning," Lewis replied as he pulled his wife on top of him and settled her over his aching erection. If she was not carrying his child now, she would be by the time they departed
Seldon Park. Lewis would make certain of it. "Though do not think for a moment that we have seen the last of the gossip surrounding us." He grinned up at her. "Especially if I cannot learn to keep my hands off of my delectable wife. Then, I fear, we will be gossiped about for vastly different reasons."

  "You are an awful man. But as long as you keep doing just that, I find that I don't care a whit." Sophia sighed as she sank down onto her husband's waiting shaft as he teased her breasts with his fingers, making them ache more than normal. They were a bit sore today for some reason, but she didn't care.

  Lewis made her feel so utterly delightful. Sophia adored making love to her husband, but she also greatly adored the freedom to enjoy her body that she had found in his arms. She did not need to be ashamed with this man. Not ever. "We would have found our way back to each other eventually," she teased. "Especially when your father's solicitor saw Miss Watts for the first time."

  "You are likely right about that," Lewis agreed as he thrust up into Sophia's waiting heat. "But enough about the others. Instead, let us concentrate upon us."

  "An excellent idea," Sophia agreed as she hissed with delight as Lewis pleasured her. "And excellent idea, indeed."

  Needless to say, neither of them made an appearance in the Seldon Park dining room that evening either. Or for several more nights after that. And no one was surprised in the least.

  Coming Holiday 2016

  Lady Katherine Oakley, the widowed Countess of Crossbury, has decided that she needs a drastic change in her life. Considered old and undesirable by much of Society, she has spent the last several years sitting on the edges of ballrooms, watching her life pass her by. Even her job writing for the gossip sheet, Town Tattler, as the infamous Madame C. brings her little pleasure these days. At a loss, all Catherine can envision for her future is a life of empty, endless parties and even more empty and endless nights alone. So when her good friend Lord Candlewood offers to make arrangements so that she might reside one last time at Hollywell, the grand castle that once belonged to her family, for the length of the Christmas season, Catherine eagerly agrees.

  French nobleman Julian Valette, cousin of the infamous - not mention fake - Comte De La Croix, has grown tired of chasing his thieving cousin across England in an attempt to regain his rightful title. Instead, he has recently taken up life as a gentleman farmer at the behest of his old friend Lord Candlewood. While Julian occasionally longs for the sparkle of London, for the most part he is content at Hollywell, his castle by the sea and with the activity the nearby village provides. So when a strange woman arrives at his doorstep claiming to be the dowager Countess of Crossbury and insisting that the castle is, for the Christmas season any way, her home, Julian is more than a little befuddled. And more than a little attracted as well.

  Can Julian and Catherine sort out the misunderstanding quickly or are both of them stuck with each other through Twelfth Night? Provided they don't murder each other in the meantime, of course.

  Find out in Christmas At Hollywell, the fourth story in the Seldon Park Christmas Novellas series, coming early December 2016.

  And turn the page for a preview of the first "Tales From Seldon Park" novel of 2017!

  Coming Soon

  Handsome, womanizing Lord Evan Haddington, the new Marquess of Berkshire, has only recently inherited his title from his deceased uncle. With the title comes wealth, power, social standing, estates, jewels...and a business called "The Gray Ladies," whose only purpose for existing seems to be to provide chaperones for unfortunate London society ladies. Or wallflowers, as Evan terms the lot of them in private. It is a business he neither needs nor wants, but seems to be stuck with anyway. Just as he is stuck with the cousin of his uncle's late wife, and he doesn't have any better idea what to do with her, either.

  Miss Cassandra Grove was called to London by her cousin, the Marchioness of Berkshire, so that Cassandra might be given ownership of The Gray Ladies, a rather famous group of women who serve as chaperons for some of Society's less fortunate women. Now, however, the marchioness is dead, along with her husband, and Cassandra finds herself facing off with the new marquess over ownership of The Gray Ladies. He does not want them, but he does not wish for her to have them either.

  The longer this feud between the two of them drags out, the worse it appears for all involved. They have even made the gossip rags as of late! Can Evan and Cassandra work out some sort of agreement that will protect the reputations of all involved or will their social standing, along with The Gray Ladies themselves, be tossed from the drawing rooms of London for good?

  Find out in A Scandal In The Making, coming early 2017!

  Did you enjoy this book?

  Then be certain to visit Bethany's web page at: www.bethanysefchick.com

  Check out her other releases in different romance genres, stay in touch with the author, and sign up for her mailing list to be notified of upcoming releases!

  Also, for the most up-to-date information on new releases, as well as links to exclusive short stories and novellas, become a fan of her author page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bsefchick

  Other Titles by the author

  Tales From Seldon Park

  To Catch A Duke (Book 1)

  Far Beyond Scandalous (Book 2)

  At The Stroke of Midnight (Book 3)

  A Viscount of Mystery (Book 4)

  A Marquess Is Forever (Book 5)

  The Secret Seduction of Lady Eliza (Book 6)

  From The Viscount With Love (Book 7)

  The Kiss of a Rogue (Book 8)

  The Earl of Heartbreak (Book 9)

  A Gentleman By Moonlight (Book 10)

  A Scandal In The Making (Book 11 - coming early 2017)

  The Seldon Park Christmas Novellas

  One Christmas With The Earl (Novella 1)

  On A Cold Christmas Eve (Novella 2)

  The Earl Who Loved Me (Novella 3)

  Christmas At Hollywell (Novella 4 - coming Holiday 2016)

  The Ghosts, Inc. series

  Novels

  Ghosts Of Lovers Past (Ghosts, Inc.: Book 1)

  Heart of Shadows (Ghosts, Inc.: Book 2)

  Spellbound (Ghosts, Inc.: Book 3)

  Edge of Heaven (Ghosts, Inc.: Book 4)

  Time's Mirror (Ghosts, Inc.: Book 5)

  Forever Bound (Ghosts, Inc.: Book 6 - coming soon)

  Ghosts, Inc. Ghostly Shorts

  Ghostly Shorts Anthology, Vol. 1

  Ghostly Shorts Anthology, Vol. 2

  And We Danced (A Thieves Market exclusive short story)

  Modern Magic

  Dream Date

  Bewitched, Bottled, and Bewildered (Coming 2016)

  The “Aphrodite’s Closet” series

  Aphrodite's Closet: The Anthology, Vol. 1

  (Nobody's Cinderella, Fairy Tale Theater, A Little Bit Of Magic)

  Aphrodite's Closet: The Anthology, Vol. 2

  (Stardust and Moonbeams, Belle of the Ball, The Enchanted Season)

  Finding Prince Charming: An Aphrodite's Closet novel (Coming Fall 2016)

  Also Available

  Santa Search And Rescue

  Christmas in Philipsburg

  The Magic of Christmas

  A Midsummer Night's Delusion

  Much Ado About Something - A Short Story

  Fairy Tale Lives (coming soon)

  The Clockwork Doll: A Steampunk Novella

  Crossed Hearts (A Modern Frame Tale of Romance)

  Under A Golden Moon (coming soon)

  About the author

  Making her home in the mountains of central Pennsylvania, Bethany Sefchick lives with her husband, Ed, and a plethora of Betta fish that she’s constantly finding new ways to entertain. In addition to writing, Bethany owns a jewelry company, Easily Distracted Designs.

  When not penning romance novels or creating sparkly treasures, she enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, and lavishing attention on any stray cats who happen to be hanging around. She always enjoys hearing from her
fans at: bsefchickauthor@gmail.com

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  Did you love A Gentleman By Moonlight? Then you should read The Earl Of Heartbreak by Bethany M. Sefchick!

  Lord Brook Bexley, the Earl of Raynecourt, is known by many names, but to the women of London Society, he is known as the Earl of Heartbreak. However, there is one woman who also refers to him as nothing more than a friend. Unfortunately, she is also the only woman he has ever desired, even though she is most decidedly off-limits to a man like him. After all, gentlemen do not even remotely consider courting their best friend's sister.Lady Sarah Tillsbury has known Rayne nearly all of her life - and believed him to be out of her reach for just as long. Even if Rayne was not more family to her than potential husband, he is also known for the trail of broken hearts he has left littered across much of polite society. However when a misguided letter sends Rayne chasing Sarah across the English countryside to her family's country estate, neither of them can continue to deny what has been brewing between them for so long. Will Rayne finally come to terms with the fact that he gave away his heart long ago and will Sarah be brave enough to claim the love she has desired for so long?