One Moonlit Night (Moonlight Square: A Prequel Novella) Read Online Free PDF

Trinny’s face between his hands, placing a gentle kiss upon her forehead.
    “You are a wonderful young woman,” he had murmured. “Those of us with eyes can see that in an instant. You have my blessing, but only because I cannot bear to see you wounded anymore. I love you.”
    “So…you won’t make me marry Tuttle the Tortoise?”
    “Of course not,” he had whispered. “He’s not worthy of you.” Then he had hugged her, and Trinny nearly wept at his tender words of support. Things might have been different, she had mused, if she could have found a man out there as kind as her papa.
    Alas, her dam was considerably less understanding about matters. Once they had revived her, Trinny sat beside her mother, holding both her hands and reminding her how exciting it was going to be, now that she could start planning Abby’s wedding.
    That had abruptly stopped her tears. It was no secret in their house, after all, that Abby had always been Mama’s favorite. When Trinny’s news was shared with her sisters, there had been nearly as much weeping with joy as there had been angry tears of a few nights ago.
    In any case, a stately voice ahead suddenly yanked her out of her thoughts.
    “Lady Katrina! A word with you, please,” said Her Ladyship, still hobbling down the steps. “Where is the gel? Daydreaming?”
    “Oh, she’s right here, Aunt.” Felicity sent Trinny a snap to it glance at the summons from Lady Kirby.
    “Coming!” Trinny lifted the hem of her skirts a little to hasten down a few more steps so she might appear before the grand dame.
    Her Ladyship was proceeding slowly and methodically, her cane thumping on the stairs with each step. Holding on to the banister with one hand and her cane with the other, while Mrs. Brown walked slowly beside her and Felicity trailed behind, the old woman descended at a snail’s pace. But although the dowager was frail of body, she had great force of mind.
    “Yes, ma’am? You wished to speak to me?” Trinny inquired.
    “I have a few thoughts pertaining to your situation,” the old dragon informed her.
    Felicity sent Trinny a discreet, mirthful smile from behind Her Ladyship.
    “Slaves of convention will no doubt say you have thrown away your life, but I see matters differently. As I do with most things,” Lady Kirby added with a sharp stare.
    Trinny’s mouth quirked; she was heartened to know she was not the only eccentric here tonight. The slight arch of Her Ladyship’s silvery eyebrow communicated her awareness that the two of them were not so different.
    “It is an interesting choice you have made, gel. You must come to call on me soon. I have some ideas regarding how you might take best advantage of your newfound freedom. For you see, I was in a situation somewhat resembling your own for many years, indeed, most of my life.”
    “Really?”
    “Oh yes. I had a husband once, very long ago. I barely remember what he looked like, but I loved him dearly at the time, and then he died.” She sighed but shrugged off her ancient loss as she continued clumping slowly down the stairs. “We scarcely had a decade together.”
    “I’m very sorry,” Trinny offered.
    “That’s not the point. Though Kirby is long gone, he left me all his money. He was a nabob, you know,” she added with a twinkle in her eyes. “He died before we ever had children. Everyone around me pitied me so much for that—well, except for some nephew of my husband’s, who inherited his title as a result. But I have had a very interesting life even so, and I would encourage you to seek the same, however possible. I try to tell my niece this, as well, but alas, she’s terribly conventional.”
    “Ma’am!” Felicity said indignantly.
    “You know it’s quite true, Felicity. Now then, Lady Katrina, when you come to my house, I shall give you a list of suggestions I think you’ll find agreeable. With that horrid war finally over, the Continent is open to travelers, and I say, get you to