One Moonlit Night (Moonlight Square: A Prequel Novella)

by Gaelen Foley

  The fanciful white gazebo came into sight, beguiling in the darkness. And there, pacing back and forth in front of it, was Gable, waiting for her.

  When he turned sharply at the sound of her footsteps crunching on the graveled path, she slowed to a swift, nervous walk, her heart in her throat.

  “I’m here!” she called out as loudly as she dared. She strode toward him, trying to look and sound more self-assured than she felt. “Sorry if I’m late.”

  “You’re not late.” He paused. Stared at her for a long moment. “I’d wait all night if need be,” he said in a strange, ginger tone. “I’m just glad you came. Thank you.”

  They stood warily scrutinizing each other, and Trinny wasn’t sure what to make of him. Gable was a man who masked his emotions as a matter of course. In the moonlight, it was all but impossible to read him. Still, she thought she detected a troubled look in his eyes. It was difficult to say.

  A night bird cooed mournfully in the silence between them, and then they both started to speak at the same time.

  “I wanted—”

  “I wondered—”

  They both stopped. Trinny cringed. Awkward.

  Gable offered her a courteous nod, studying her as though he was trying just as hard to gauge her emotions as she was his.

  “You wanted to see me?” she asked, then stood there waiting, with her nerves stretched as thin and taut as lyre strings.

  For a long moment, he gazed at her, sadness creeping into his chiseled face, and this time, he let her see it. “You were right about me, Katrina. Your words, they cut me deeply,” he uttered in a slow, soft tone. “But they also woke me up. I need you, you see. You. This has nothing to do with the money or the castle or anything of the sort. If I don’t have you, I have nothing.”

  As he took a step closer, she looked up at him in wonder.

  “I don’t care anymore if my father cuts me off. I told him so. This has nothing to do with his wishes or any of the foolish things that mattered so much before I learned this unbearable lesson…of what it feels like to lose you.”

  She swallowed hard.

  He shook his head, staring tenderly into her eyes. “Please come back to me, Katrina. All that matters now is having you by my side. Why I didn’t see that from the start, I don’t know. I’ve been…so incredibly foolish and immature and all the things you said I was—”

  “No! I’m sorry for them all!” she whispered, laying her hand on his forearm as she drew closer. “I had no right to speak to you that way. You’re a good person.”

  “Don’t apologize, sweeting. On the contrary, I owe you for telling me the truth. I needed to hear it. And you were right.” He shook his head and shrugged. “That’s why I asked you here tonight. To let you know I’ll do anything it takes to win you. I can’t bear this anymore, being shut out of your life. I need you. I love you, Katrina, and I want to be with you and only you. Forever.”

  Her eyes widened in shock.

  “Run away with me, tonight.”

  She drew in her breath. “Run away?” she echoed, feeling slightly dizzy.

  “Let’s elope to Gretna Green. I have my carriage waiting.”

  She took a step back, gaping at him in astonishment, clapping both her hands to her mouth.

  “I know you’ve got your doubts about me,” he said softly. “But I swear to you, if you’ll give me another chance, you’ll see that I’ve absolutely changed. You changed me.

  “Believe me,” he added, “I never anticipated this. I never would’ve thought it was possible for me. But I sincerely have no interest in that old life anymore. It’s over. You’re the only woman I desire. You must know I’m telling you the truth. I wouldn’t lie to you. I never have,” he said. “From that first night we met in this very spot, we’ve always been open and honest with each other, have we not?”

  Hands still covering her mouth, her eyes as wide as saucers, she could only nod.

  “So let me spend the years ahead figuring out every way I can devise to make you happy, darling. Will you marry me? Well? God, say something,” he whispered.

  Words were actually beyond her right then.

  Instead, she let out a small, incoherent cry and launched herself into his arms.

  He caught her around the waist and lifted her off her toes as she flung her arms around his neck.

  “I love you, too!” she choked out at last.

  “Thank God.” As he held her close, burying his face against her neck, it was only then that she felt him trembling. “I was so sure I’d lost you.” He squeezed her even tighter. “I love you. I never knew it could be like this.”

  “I love you, too, Gable.” She covered his smooth-shaved cheek in tearful kisses until he turned his face and caught her lips with his own.

  “My darling,” he breathed. He set her on her feet and claimed her mouth in rapturous hunger.

  Trinny clutched his lapels and pulled him down to her, desperate for more of his kisses. Just being with him again soothed her soul, and his declaration of love had her giddy.

  He kissed her again and again, his warm, gentle hand sliding into the curve of her nape under the fall of her hair.

  She tore away from his breathless kisses. “You really want to marry me?”

  “Yes. I insist on it, actually. Didn’t your father tell you I spoke to him today?”

  “So that’s what he meant,” she whispered slowly, fresh tears filling her eyes.

  Gable smiled fondly at her. “You didn’t realize I summoned you out here to ask for your hand?”

  “Why would I assume such a thing?” she exclaimed. “Nobody ever wants to marry me!”

  “Oh, I do, sweeting.” He took hold of her shoulders and looked fiercely into her eyes. “I am so glad none of those other fellows ever proposed to you. If you’d said yes to one of them, my whole life would’ve been ruined.”

  She held his gaze somberly. “Something in me must’ve known to wait for you. My true love.”

  “My darling girl,” he murmured, visibly moved by her artless words. He gathered her into his embrace and held her like he’d never let her go.

  Trinny rested her head on his chest, profound relief mingling with her joy and trembling gratitude as he cradled her head against his heart.

  “Can we really leave tonight?” she whispered.

  “Right now,” he promised. “Shall we?”

  They parted a small space, but he captured her hand, linking his fingers through hers.

  “Elope with me?” he asked.

  “Well…as long as you’re sure,” she said. “Because, you realize, if we do this, you’re stuck with me.”

  A tender smile spread across his face. “That, my dear, sounds like my idea of paradise.”

  A teary-eyed laugh burst from her. “Then take me to your carriage!”

  He lifted her hand and kissed it, and then he did just that.

  As they walked away from the gazebo, Trinny’s feet barely touched the ground. Gable led her through the moon-silvered park, down the winding path to the opposite side of the square, and out the other gate, where an elegant coach-and-four waited.

  Hurrying by his side, Trinny did not look back, not to get her things or even to consult her parents. Papa would know when she didn’t return that her answer had been yes, and then he’d tell her mother and the girls.

  She’d write them a letter from Scotland once she was married, and she’d sign it Lady Roland.

  Gable got the carriage door for her and, with a jubilant note in his deep voice, ordered his driver to head north. Then he handed her up into the coach, where a bottle of champagne waited on ice. It was a while before they opened it, however, many miles up the road. First they had more pressing matters to attend to.

  Wrapped in each other’s arms, they had to make up for lost time.

  Epilogue

  Queen of Castle McCray

  Three weeks later

  In all her life, Trinny never thought she’d end up as the lady of a cas
tle, married to a man as beautiful and good as Gable Winston-McCray, Viscount Roland.

  Or Lord Sweet Cheeks, as she still preferred to call him. But she was Lady Sweet Cheeks now, and here she sat, on a bench on a chilly Scottish day in early June, watching the crashing waves of the North Sea, hoping to see another whale out there, all while cozily wrapped up in a red-and-blue wool tartan blanket of the clan McCray.

  Her family now, too.

  Overhead, the afternoon sky was moodily dramatic, with sunbeams breaking through the clouds. The salt wind tossed her red hair about her shoulders. Her husband had gone inside to fetch them hot drinks to keep them warm. Frankly, it was good to come up for air, as this was one of the few times they’d even left the bedroom. To be sure, being married to a reformed rakehell had its advantages.

  A mischievous smile tugged at her lips as she pulled her feet up onto the bench and wrapped her arms around her bent knees, staring at the waves.

  That wonderfully depraved lover of hers did things to her that took her to heaven and sent her home again in a box of candy. After three weeks of his almost nonstop lovemaking, she had become something of an expert herself already, not to brag.

  And, oh, those sweet cheeks of his! Their lean, muscled curves were even more adorable bare, and it made her very jolly to give them a good little spanking every now and then, which the rogue protested but clearly enjoyed.

  His cute male derriere, however, was just the beginning of her man’s countless beauties. She was still as dazed by the breathtaking wonder of his muscular body as she had been the first time they had been naked together, on their wedding night.

  Her deflowering had hurt a bit, though he had been gentle, but everything since had been sheer bliss. She felt so close to him since they’d become lovers, and his complete acceptance of her had set her free. Sometimes she was a little shocked at her own enthusiasm, but what could she do? Her wicked playmate drove her deliciously mad. Whether riding him in a frenzy in their huge canopy bed or being ravished by him on the kitchen table—or in any other random room of the castle that caught their fancy—she was desperately in love with him, and he with her. More deeply every day.

  She gazed down again wistfully at the ring on her finger and smiled in lingering amazement. Thinking back to the heart-tugging ceremony at the famous blacksmith’s forge at Gretna Green, she would not have had her wedding any other way.

  “This should keep you warm!” he called just then from behind her.

  She turned and saw him heading toward her—lord of the castle that loomed just a few hundred yards up the emerald slope. A smile spread across her face at the sight of her mate and best friend.

  “Here comes my love,” she greeted him cheerfully as he returned to join her in the mesmerizing ritual of watching the waves roll in and crash over the boulders below. The wind ran rampant through his glossy black hair as he carried two sturdy mugs in his hands. “What did you bring me, husband?”

  “Hot chocolate.”

  “Angel!”

  “Here.” He handed her one of the steaming mugs, and she curled her fingers around it, warming her hands.

  “Thank you.” She kissed him for his pains.

  Gable sat down beside her and joined her under the tartan blanket with a playful shiver. “I need my wife to keep me warm.”

  “That’s what I’m here for.” She cuddled against him under the blanket, feeling very cozy indeed.

  “Mmm, that’s better. Here, a letter came for you.”

  “Really?”

  “It’s from your mother.” He took it out of his pocket and handed it to her.

  “I’d almost forgotten the rest of the world exists,” she said softly, glancing at him as she took the letter from him.

  “We don’t need it,” he whispered, holding her gaze.

  She tore herself out of his potent spell. Honestly, he could enchant her with one look, but thankfully, she managed to keep her wits about her.

  “Well, let’s see if there’s any interesting news from home or any juicy new gossip from Moonlight Square…”

  He curled his arm around her shoulders under the blanket and leaned his head against hers while she skimmed her mother’s report on all the latest goings-on.

  “Is your sister back in Town yet?” he mumbled.

  “No…”

  It seems so quiet around here with both you and Abigail gone. Martha’s getting used to being the eldest in the house now, but all your sisters miss you terribly. Of course, that’s nothing compared to your father’s moping.

  “Oh, Papa,” Trinny said under her breath with a pang of affection.

  Gable glanced over inquiringly.

  “He misses me and Abigail,” she explained to her husband.

  He smiled at her. “Can’t blame him. But too bad, I’m keepin’ you.”

  She grinned and read on.

  Oh, I’m afraid I also have some sad news for you, dear. Old Lady Kirby died in her sleep two nights ago.

  “Oh, no!” Trinny murmured in surprise.

  They say she went peacefully, which is hardly how she lived, but I daresay you might want to write to your friend Miss Carvel and extend your sympathies at once. Her Ladyship’s passing does not come as too great a shock, given her age, but I do hope the girl will be all right, orphaned as she is, and with her brother away on the far side of the world. The funeral is tomorrow…

  “What is it?” Gable asked in concern.

  When Trinny told him the sad news, he hugged her and pressed a comforting little kiss to her temple. “Well, I suppose she was very old, wasn’t she?”

  “Yes. She lived a good long life, full of adventure, from what I understand. Still… Poor Felicity.”

  “You want to go in and write her a note right now?”

  Trinny nodded in regret. “If you don’t mind.”

  “Come. You keep the blanket. I’ll carry your drink for you.”

  He took her cup helpfully while she untangled herself from the tartan.

  They got up from the bench and headed back across the green toward their castle. Its stones and towers glowed in a broad ray of sun, and they both gazed at it in wordless admiration as they walked. Meanwhile, the sough of the waves carried on with its endless, rhythmic song, churning at their backs. The lone cry of a gull hovering over the rocks seemed mournful, but Trinny couldn’t help reflecting that endings, though sad, were as much a part of nature’s great cycle as beginnings were.

  At least now Lady Kirby had been reunited with her husband on the other side of the veil, she supposed. It made Trinny smile to think of the woman’s free spirit, long trapped in a frail, elderly body, made young and beautiful again in whatever sort of intangible form people received when their souls left this earthly realm.

  “So how much longer do you want to stay here, anyway?” Gable asked.

  She smiled. “With you, I could stay here forever.”

  “My thoughts exactly.”

  “You’re not getting restless to return to Town, then?” she asked.

  “Not at all,” he said. “I just wanted to make sure you weren’t getting bored.”

  “No, you’ve been keeping me very entertained,” she assured him with a gleam in her eye.

  He grinned. “I aim to please.”

  “No hurry, then?” she pursued as they strolled home, side by side.

  “No hurry at all,” he answered gently, and when he sent her a reassuring sideways glance, she saw that love had turned his eyes the deep, soft blue of the sea.

  Her heart clenched. Oh, I love you. She took her cup of cocoa back from him so she could hold his hand as they walked.

  He got the door for her when they came to the threshold of his castle. “After you, my queen.”

  She accepted her husband’s gallant gesture as her due but stole a kiss anyway as she brushed by.

  “Oh, come back here, you. I want another one of those!” he said as she hurried inside.

  “You’ll have to catch me first!” She
set her mug aside, dropped the blanket, and ran, laughter trailing behind her.

  It wasn’t long at all before he caught her…not far from their bedroom, conveniently.

  They were already breathless with laughter and want as he swept her off her feet and carried her into their bedchamber.

  As he claimed her mouth, tasting of sweet hot chocolate, their whole sad purpose for coming inside had been temporarily forgotten, but life was for the living, and Trinny had no doubt that Lady Kirby, of all people, would have understood—and categorically approved.

  When you found the man you loved, you held on to him with all your heart and cherished every precious day fate granted you together. You took him in your arms and lived each moment to the fullest with unhesitating passion.

  And so, Trinny reached over Gable’s shoulder, pushed the bedroom door shut behind them, and did just that.

  If you loved

  ONE MOONLIT NIGHT

  by Gaelen Foley

  Read on for a sneak peek of the next book in her wildly romantic Moonlight Square series! Find out if Miss Felicity Carvel is really as prim-and-proper as she seems, and whether a scandalous rakehell like the Duke of Netherford can ever be tamed…

  Duke of Scandal (Moonlight Square, Book 1)

  From the Back Cover:

  Romance is in the air at Moonlight Square ~ Regency London’s most exclusive address!

  Jason Hawthorne, the Duke of Netherford, made it clear to the young, lovesick Felicity Carvel long ago that nothing could ever happen between them. He has earned his reputation as the Duke of Scandal—and she’s his best friend’s little sister. For honor’s sake, he vows to stay away from the lovely innocent. But six years of the wealthy libertine’s life have left Jason empty and jaded, while Felicity has blossomed into a strong, beautiful woman, ripe for love and marriage.