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

goblet and spoon back to the shop for her. She did not want the servant overhearing any more of their conversation.
    “It makes sense to me,” he said.
    “A marriage of convenience.”
    “Yes.”
    “But you said marriage is a cage, a trap. And I assume—forgive me if I’m wrong—that you have no desire to, er, shall we say, change your ways?”
    He avoided her gaze, but his diplomatic silence told her all she needed to know.
    She shook her head, realizing the firm conditions of his offer. What nerve! This was not a marriage proposal; it was a rooming arrangement.
    “No, thanks. I’ll not be made a laughingstock over a cheating husband,” she said, then shuddered. “No, thank you, indeed.”
    “Oh come,” he cajoled her, “it’ll be fun.”
    She eyed him in severe disapproval. No doubt that charm usually got the rogue everything he wanted, especially where females were concerned.
    “You realize we only just met? We barely know each other,” she pointed out.
    “That is not uncommon among those betrothed, as I’m sure you are aware.”
    She scowled at him, ignoring the bizarre reality that after being rejected by far less desirable suitors, she couldn’t seem to get rid of this one.
    “You don’t want to be a countess?” he goaded her, as though his vanity had taken hold now. Like he had to win this contest for his pride’s sake.
    Why? Because to be rejected by the girl no one else wanted was just too much? She gave him a dirty look.
    “Well, at least it must mean something to you that I don’t care if you’re a quiz—your words, not mine!” he reminded her when she belted him in the arm for that remark. “Ow! Do you mind? Bullet wound.”
    “You deserve it,” she muttered.
    “Now, now, dear girl,” he soothed, eyeing her in bemused fascination. “I understand that the, er, limits on what I’m offering you may not be entirely to your liking—”
    “But beggars can’t be choosers? Is that it? I thought you applauded my decision!”
    “That is not what I was going to say! I was going to say that at least I accept you for who you are. You don’t have to pretend with me or ever feel nervous, the way you described feeling around those other chaps. Ever since that night I found you crying in the park… Well, I happen to like you being eccentric. That must count for something!”
    “Certainly.” She gazed up at him in dismay, tempted, in light of everything. Don’t do it, her heart warned. It can only lead to disaster. She swallowed hard and shook her head. “Your acceptance of me as I am makes me very glad to have you for a friend , Lord Roland.”
    His eyes widened, as though no female had ever said such a thing to him before.
    Cora returned and they walked on, resuming their slow trek homeward to Moonlight Square. It wasn’t far.
    “Dear me, a friend!” he echoed in astonishment at last, his air of sardonic humor beginning to run a bit thin, by the sound of it.
    “I’m sorry,” she offered.
    He seemed to struggle for words. “I confess I am amazed, my lady. Am I to understand you are really turning me down?”
    “You’re the one who told me not to marry.”
    “Well, I’ve changed my mind!” he said with a flash of annoyance. “And maybe this time, it’s you who needs to swallow your pride.”
    “Me?”
    “Come, reconsider.”
    “There are other names on your father’s list, surely. Try them .”
    “I don’t want them. I like you. You make me laugh. There’s a castle in it for you,” he added with a roguish glance.
    “What castle?” she mumbled, admittedly intrigued and already beginning to wonder if she was an idiot for balking.
    “Castle McCray. It came into my family’s possession through the Scottish clan McCray, our ancestors. I love that place,” he added. “It’s become our hunting lodge, up in Galloway. Wonderful seaside retreat in the summers. My father says I can have it if I pick one of his girls. I’ll share it with you gladly,” he teased,