Free One Moonlit Night (Moonlight Square: A Prequel Novella) by Gaelen Foley

their goblets and utensils.
    “Thank God you didn’t get shot,” Trinny said.
    “Actually, I did,” he informed her after he finally swallowed.
    “What?” she cried, turning to scan him. “Where?”
    “Across the arm. Don’t worry, it was just a scratch.”
    “Oh, you poor thing! Here. Clearly you need this more than I do.” She gave him back the ice cream.
    He took it without argument. “If you ask me, I got off easy,” he mumbled, then scooped another spoonful from the glass goblet. “Well done, by the way. The chocolate is the best.”
    “Does it hurt?” she asked. “Oh, never mind—silly question.”
    He chuckled. “It stung.”
    “Well, I hope you learned your lesson!” she chided, nudging him with her elbow as he ate his next bite.
    “About that…”
    She furrowed her brow and looked askance at him.
    “It’s been an interesting morning.” He licked his lips and handed her back her ice cream. “My father heard about the duel and summoned me for a lecture.”
    “Oh dear.” She gave him a sympathetic frown. “One can’t really blame him for being angry, though.”
    “True,” Lord Roland agreed. Then he paused, studying the pavement as they strolled along.
    “So what did he say?” she asked.
    He slid his hands into his pockets with a shrug. “He ordered me to marry or have my funds cut off.”
    “Oh, that is harsh! You must be hating this,” she offered in heartfelt concern. “Based on what you said at the gazebo, I know marriage was the last thing you wanted.”
    “Well, he is going to force my compliance. He even gave me a list.”
    “A list?” she echoed.
    “Of approved young ladies.”
    She shook her head. “How very helpful of him.”
    His gaze slid sideways cautiously to her. “You were on it.”
    “What?” She stopped in her tracks and stared at him. “Me?”
    “Apparently your father is one of his political allies. So?” He gave her a beguiling little smile. “What do you think?”
    Trinny stared up at him, incredulous. “I’m sorry, are…are you asking me…?”
    “To be my wife, yes.” His expression was unreadable, as though he were at the gambling table. Not a flicker of doubt passed behind his eyes. His gaze was steady. “I do see the irony, of course, considering I was the one who told you to shun the vicar’s mousetrap. But you and I seem to get on rather well, and considering the circumstances… Well, I don’t think we’d do too badly, leg-shackled together. So what do you say?”
    She was quite speechless for a moment.
    “Oh dear,” he murmured at her continued silence. “Well, say something .”
    “ Now you ask me?” She shook her head, at a loss, then snorted. “You have some timing, my lord.”
    He furrowed his brow, worriedly searching her face, as though this was not quite the reaction he’d expected.
    “The timing was not of my own choosing,” he reminded her as they walked on.
    “I daresay! If it was of your own choosing, you wouldn’t be here at all.”
    He did her the courtesy, at least, of not denying it, but conceded this with an uncertain shrug.
    “Lord Roland—”
    “Gable,” he corrected her.
    “I just finished taking your advice!”
    “I know, I know.” He sighed.
    “I changed my whole life based on what you said to me—because you inspired me! I gave my parents this whole big dramatic speech! I’ve already brazened out Society’s reaction! If I go back on my decision now, the whole ton is going to think it was just a sorry lie on my part, and that you were forced into it, and only chose me out of pity!”
    Which was exactly the case, she realized, the thought instantly curdling the ice cream in her belly.
    But meanwhile, her handsome companion was scoffing at her words as they resumed their walk, Trinny moving dazedly.
    “That’s not the case. I like you well, my lady. I find you very agreeable, and I think you know that’s the truth.”
    She eyed him in suspicion, then paused to ask Cora to take her empty