Moonlight Square: Books 1-4 (Plus Bonus Prequel Novella) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Praise for Gaelen Foley

  PREQUEL NOVELLA: ONE MOONLIT NIGHT

  From the Back Cover

  One Moonlit Night (Moonlight Square: A Prequel Novella)

  CHAPTER 1. Star-Crossed

  CHAPTER 2. We Meet Again

  CHAPTER 3. The Rake’s Progress

  CHAPTER 4. A Dubious Proposal

  CHAPTER 5. Wedding Madness

  CHAPTER 6. A Farewell

  CHAPTER 7. Eclipse

  EPILOGUE: Queen of Castle McCray

  BOOK 1: DUKE OF SCANDAL

  From the Back Cover

  Duke of Scandal (Moonlight Square, Book 1)

  CHAPTER 1. The Accidental Heiress

  CHAPTER 2. The Rogue at Home

  CHAPTER 3. Family Matters

  CHAPTER 4. Nocturne

  CHAPTER 5. Serenade for a Scoundrel

  CHAPTER 6. Patron of the Arts

  CHAPTER 7. Rearranging the Furniture

  CHAPTER 8. Just Once

  CHAPTER 9. A Losing Battle

  CHAPTER 10. Butterfly

  CHAPTER 11. Temper, Temper

  CHAPTER 12. Scandal’s Darling

  CHAPTER 13. Paterfamilias

  CHAPTER 14. Making Up Properly

  CHAPTER 15. Mt. Netherford

  EPILOGUE: As It Should Be

  BOOK 2: DUKE OF SECRETS

  From the Back Cover

  Duke of Secrets (Moonlight Square, Book 2)

  CHAPTER 1. The Forbidden Man

  CHAPTER 2. Cat and Mouse

  CHAPTER 3. Intruder Unmasked

  CHAPTER 4. In the Dark

  CHAPTER 5. Bonfire Night

  CHAPTER 6. Drawn In

  CHAPTER 7. Traveling Companions

  CHAPTER 8. Owlswick

  CHAPTER 9. All the Dark Corners

  CHAPTER 10. Ghosts

  CHAPTER 11. A Change of Plans

  CHAPTER 12. First Snow

  CHAPTER 13. Destined

  CHAPTER 14. Origins

  CHAPTER 15. The Past Catches Up

  CHAPTER 16. Angels & Demons

  CHAPTER 17. Coming Home

  CHAPTER 18. Wild at Heart

  CHAPTER 19. Blood Ties

  CHAPTER 20. The Duke’s Revenge

  CHAPTER 21. Unleashed

  EPILOGUE: Snowfall

  Author's Note

  BOOK 3: DUKE OF STORM

  From the Back Cover

  Duke of Storm (Moonlight Square, Book 3)

  PROLOGUE: A Son’s Duty

  CHAPTER 1. A Lady’s Resolve

  CHAPTER 2. A Duke’s Honor

  CHAPTER 3. The Warrior

  CHAPTER 4. The Peacemaker

  CHAPTER 5. A Devil’s Bargain

  CHAPTER 6. Pistols at Dawn

  CHAPTER 7. The Dragoon

  CHAPTER 8. Pay the Piper

  CHAPTER 9. A Wicked Notion

  CHAPTER 10. Dragon Lady

  CHAPTER 11. A Model Husband

  CHAPTER 12. The Country Dance

  CHAPTER 13. A Thorough Report

  CHAPTER 14. Hyde Park

  CHAPTER 15. Battle Royale

  CHAPTER 16. Revelations Unfold

  CHAPTER 17. A Shift in the Wind

  CHAPTER 18. A Light in the Dark

  CHAPTER 19. Gazebo

  CHAPTER 20. The Dandy

  CHAPTER 21. The Coach House

  CHAPTER 22. Trumbull

  CHAPTER 23. On the Hunt

  CHAPTER 24. Aunt Lucinda’s Soirée

  CHAPTER 25. The Major

  CHAPTER 26. Killer Unmasked

  CHAPTER 27. Leaving Town

  CHAPTER 28. On the Road

  CHAPTER 29. Dartfield Manor

  CHAPTER 30. Vendetta

  CHAPTER 31. Landfall

  CHAPTER 32. At Last

  CHAPTER 33. Two Lanterns

  CHAPTER 34. Conflagration

  CHAPTER 35. All or Nothing

  EPILOGUE: The Fourth Duchess

  BOOK 4: DUKE OF SHADOWS

  From the Back Cover

  Duke of Shadows (Moonlight Square, Book 4)

  PART I

  CHAPTER 1. The Highwayman

  CHAPTER 2. Lady in Black

  CHAPTER 3. Hard Questions

  CHAPTER 4. His Grace Goes a-Courting

  CHAPTER 5. The Awkward Intruder

  CHAPTER 6. A Genteel Promenade

  CHAPTER 7. Big Decisions

  CHAPTER 8. A Brief Visit to Hell

  CHAPTER 9. High Stakes

  CHAPTER 10. Tryst with a Highwayman

  CHAPTER 11. A Test of Loyalty

  PART II

  CHAPTER 12. A Proper Courtship

  CHAPTER 13. Surprises Great and Small

  CHAPTER 14. Thursday Night Intrigues

  CHAPTER 15. A Night at the Ball

  CHAPTER 16. An Unannounced Visitor

  CHAPTER 17. An Unexpected Ally

  CHAPTER 18. Friday Night Answers

  CHAPTER 19. Bullseye

  CHAPTER 20. Revelations, Decisions

  CHAPTER 21. Dinner with the Duke

  CHAPTER 22. A Moonlit Stroll

  CHAPTER 23. All That Glitters

  CHAPTER 24. Mirrors & Masks

  PART III

  CHAPTER 25. Deepening Shadows

  CHAPTER 26. Conflagration

  CHAPTER 27. To Tempt a Lady

  CHAPTER 28. The Missing Piece

  CHAPTER 29. The Rescue Party

  CHAPTER 30. A Hard Bargain

  CHAPTER 31. The Break

  CHAPTER 32. Darkness Falls

  CHAPTER 33. The Golden Goose

  CHAPTER 34. A Losing Hand

  CHAPTER 35. Unmasked

  CHAPTER 36. The Highwayman’s Lady

  CHAPTER 37. Deep, Dark Woods

  CHAPTER 38. A Ride by Moonlight

  EPILOGUE: Wedding of the Decade

  Author's Note

  About the Author

  Writing as E.G. Foley

  Also by Gaelen Foley

  Copyright

  Praise for Gaelen Foley

  “Always fabulous.” ~Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

  “Enchanting, intriguing, fun.” ~Stephanie Laurens, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

  “Sexy and sizzling.” ~Mary Jo Putney, New York Times Bestselling Author

  “Delectably entertaining, lusciously sensual…an irresistible author skilled at blending passion and intrigue.” ~Booklist

  “Truly sensual romance, possessing depth of plot and character.” ~Publishers Weekly

  “Huge talent.” ~Romance Reviews Today

  “One of the finest adventure/romance authors does it again. Foley never sacrifices character or romance while whisking readers away on fast-paced escapades…and giving them a glorious deep-sigh read.” ~Kathe Robin, Senior Reviewer, RT Book Reviews

  “There are some romance authors whose novels pretty much guarantee a good old-fashioned, joyful read. One such author is Gaelen Foley.” ~Lifetime TV Books blog

  “Foley delivers an irresistible Regency romance filled with adventure, rich period details, intrigue, love and humor.” ~Night Owl Reviews

  ONE MOONLIT NIGHT

  From the back cover:

  Presenting the wildly romantic new Regency series from New York Times bestselling author, Gaelen Foley…

  Welcome to Moonlight Square ~ Regency London’s Most Romantic Address!

  At the ripe old age of two-and-twenty, Lady Katrina Glendon just can’t seem to snare a husband. Whether her frank tongue or slightly eccentric ways bear the blame, she faces a houseful of younger sisters clamoring f
or her, the eldest, to marry and move aside before they all end up as spinsters. When her latest suitor defects and proposes to another girl, Trinny throws up her hands in despair of ever finding a fiancé. But sometimes destiny waits just around the corner…and love lives right across the square!

  Gable Winston-McCray, the charming, understated Viscount Roland saunters through life as a wealthy, sophisticated rakehell and man-about-town. Heir to an earldom, the handsome hedonist would rather dally with bored Society wives than acquire a bride of his own, much to his father’s dismay. Until, one moonlit night, fate strikes! Unsuspecting neighbors meet and become flirtatious allies. So when Gable receives his father’s ultimatum to wed or go penniless, he offers Trinny a marriage of convenience. Alas, the pretty redhead cannot possibly accept such an unfeeling proposal—even if her dear “Lord Sweet Cheeks” might be the man of her dreams…

  Moonlight Square: A Prequel Novella

  ONE MOONLIT NIGHT

  Gaelen Foley

  CHAPTER 1

  Star-Crossed

  It was battle royal in the Beresford household, and eldest daughter Lady Katrina Glendon felt herself under attack from all sides.

  All five of her younger sisters were hollering at her at once, some in tears, others wailing that they’d all end up spinsters because of her.

  “Papa, she’s ruining my life!”

  “Mine too!”

  “And she wrecked my favorite hat!” Lady Betsy screeched, while the youngest, Lady Jane, aged thirteen, kicked the wall because nobody ever listened to her.

  The purest rage, however, came from Lady Abigail, sister number two, aged twenty: the prettiest. “How long do you expect Freddie to wait for me, Trinny?” she demanded, taking an angry step toward her. “If I lose him just because you’re too much of an odd duck to land a husband—”

  “Now, Abby, that is taking it much too far,” Papa interjected, appearing in the drawing room doorway with a vexed frown when the volume of the noise had overcome even his will to ignore his chaotic household. “Your sister is not an odd duck.”

  “Oh, yes, she is Papa!” Abby ground out. “That’s why none of her suitors ever asked to marry her! You have to do something about her before Freddie gives up on me! Are we supposed to wait forever before we can marry?”

  “He’s not going to give up on you, Abby. That boy would walk through fire for you,” Trinny answered, head down, her breath nearly stolen by the pain of her sister’s cruel-but-true summation.

  She wrapped her arms around her middle. Her own disappointed shock at the news that her supposed suitor, Cecil Cooper, had just got engaged to Miss Dawson did not seem to signify to anyone. But for her part, Trinny was reeling.

  What did I do wrong this time?

  Her eyes filled with tears as a hot whirlwind of confusion churned in her heart and promptly turned to despair. I really think he was my last hope.

  The reality sank in that having arrived at twenty-two, maybe she really was at her last prayer. But why? I don’t understand. I’m not that bad. Why doesn’t anyone ever pick me?

  “George, Abigail is right. You really must do something,” Mama insisted, her face etched with her permanent look of weary exasperation. She paused. “There’s always Lord Tuttle,” she said meaningfully to her husband.

  “Oh, Papa, no!” Trinny gasped in revulsion and looked sharply at her mother.

  “Yes, Papa! Do it, do it!” her younger sisters cheered. “Make her marry Tuttle the Tortoise!”

  If the eligible bachelors of Moonlight Square only knew the designations the Glendon girls had dreamed up to keep them all straight…

  “Oh, please keep your voices down, you mad tribe of Amazons. You’re giving me a headache,” Papa huffed.

  “Girls, the neighbors will hear you!” Mama agreed.

  But there was no quieting five opinionated young ladies when they felt the world had wronged them.

  “It’s a perfect match! The Tortoise is even odder than Trinny!” Gwendolyn said with a snicker.

  “Then she can be Trinny, Lady Tortoise!” Jane burst out, pointing at her, rousing uproarious laughter from Betsy and titters from the rest.

  Lord Beresford heaved a sigh and looked regretfully at his firstborn.

  Trinny’s eyes widened at his I give up glance. “Oh, Papa, you wouldn’t!” she cried, while Abigail folded her arms across her chest and gave her a smug look.

  Trinny threw up her hands. “The man takes a year to speak a sentence!”

  “And he’s bald,” Betsy pointed out with a vengeful grin, as though it were only Trinny’s rightful comeuppance for inconveniencing them all by driving her suitors away time after time with her impertinent remarks and odd topics of conversation.

  Betsy turned to Mama. “Can I have her room once she’s married off?”

  Their dam ignored the little opportunist and endeavored to set her eldest straight. “Katrina, you’ve already had four Seasons, and now we’re onto the fifth? This is getting a little ridiculous! What of all your sisters?”

  The beautiful red-haired countess gestured at the rest of her brood, three of whom had already made their debuts. “Are they all to have the same? You’ll put your father in the poor house!”

  “I’d hardly say that,” the earl muttered, then glanced grimly at his lady. “But if that is your wish, I will drop a hint to the baron tomorrow at the club.”

  Trinny swept the lot of them with an overwhelmed glance—and fled.

  “Get back here this instant, young lady!” Mama ordered.

  “Oh, leave her alone, Alice,” Papa muttered.

  “Girls, go to your rooms,” was the last thing Trinny heard her mother say as she snatched the park key off its peg near the door before bursting out of the house.

  Outside, the night’s satin darkness blanketed Moonlight Square, hiding the tears that leaped into her eyes; she gulped for air as the late-April breeze tried to cool her burning cheeks.

  The stars danced overhead and the plane trees swayed in the park across the street, but nothing could soothe away the sting of failing yet again to be chosen, wanted, desired…

  Loved.

  Wiping two tears quickly off her cheeks, she glanced up and down the street, but thankfully, none of her neighbors were out. She could not have borne to exchange niceties right now or answer questions like: Wasn’t Cecil Cooper courting you for a while there, dear?

  Oh, yes, ma’am! she would have barked at any nosy matron who might’ve asked the question of her right now. Which just went to show what a socially incompetent quiz she really was.

  Her chin trembled and fresh tears jumped up into her eyes, exasperating her. Blast it!

  Desperate to escape her own irksome life, Trinny ran down the few front steps of the Beresfords’ elegant Town house, dashed across the quaint cobbled street, and fumbled to unlock the wrought iron gate to the private park that sat in the center of the garden square.

  It would no doubt be deserted at this hour. It was open to the public during the day, but only the square’s residents had keys to enjoy the park at night.

  Whirling through the gate, she slammed it shut behind her with a satisfying bang and heard the lock click.

  Ha. At least now her maddening family could not follow.

  Legs still trembling beneath her, stomach in knots, she strode down the winding graveled path, the night breeze rippling through the tall, graceful branches overhead. A nightingale’s lonely warbling and the perfume of the huge, mounded lilacs offered comfort, but when she came to the picturesque garden folly, she rushed up the few steps into it, crossed it, and paced twice back and forth, hands clenching and unclenching in dread and futile rage.

  Then she leaned her back against one of the posts, buried her face in her hands…

  And bawled.

  * * *

  Across the street from the garden square, the Grand Albion was lit up with its usual elegance—though not the famed Assembly Rooms on the upper floor, for it was merely Tuesday, no
t yet time for the essential Thursday night ball. Likewise, the few exclusive apartments on the top floor of the hotel were also quiet. But down on the ground level, the gentlemen’s club in the back was lively with all the usual card games and billiards matches underway.

  Gable Winston-McCray, Viscount Roland, heir to the Sefton earldom, smoked his cheroot and sipped his single malt Scotch, idly waiting for his turn to show his cards.

  All the while, he listened in amusement to the banter among his club mates seated around the green baize table.

  “But how the hell do you do it, Netherford? How does he always end up snaring every luscious new actress that prances onto the stage?”

  “It’s because he’s a duke.”

  “And filthy rich.”

  “Oh, that has nothing to do with it, I assure you,” Netherford drawled with a wicked smirk, then won another hand.

  “Bastard,” Gable muttered good-naturedly, shoving his chips toward the dark-haired duke yet again.

  Just then, one of the club’s liveried footmen came speeding over to Gable with a silver tray. “Lord Roland. This just came for you, sir.”

  Gable looked at the note lying there on the tray and heaved a sigh. “If this is from my father, I am going to scream. Fair warning, lads.”

  He did not scream, as it turned out. He read the brief note, arched a brow, and murmured, “Hmm.”

  “Something wrong, Rollo?” his friend Lord Sidney asked.

  “Ah, I have to go. Something I need to take care of.”

  “For Papa?” Netherford goaded him.

  “For a lady,” he replied with an equally wicked smile.

  “Aha. Now that’s the kind of summons I like getting at this hour,” Netherford said.

  Lord Tuttle huffed. “You good-looking bastards annoy the rest of us to no end,” he grumbled.

  “Sorry,” Gable said dryly. He rose, then downed the last of his Scotch. “Evening, lads.”

  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Netherford called.

  Sidney scoffed. “And what might that leave out, exactly?”

  Their banter faded as Gable marched off on his mission. It wasn’t quite what his friends had assumed, but the frantic note from Lady Hayworth did touch upon their assignation of earlier that day.