The Seldon Park Christmas Novellas Series by Bethany M. Sefchick

It's the Christmas season and Lady Amelia St. Vincent, spinster sister of the Devil Duke of Enwright, finds herself in something of a quandary. While attending Lord Raynecourt's annual holiday house party she has been relentlessly pursued by a veritable army of men after her hand in marriage. Not to mention her obscenely sizeable dowry... moreIt's the Christmas season and Lady Amelia St. Vincent, spinster sister of the Devil Duke of Enwright, finds herself in something of a quandary. While attending Lord Raynecourt's annual holiday house party she has been relentlessly pursued by a veritable army of men after her hand in marriage. Not to mention her obscenely sizeable dowry. She is at her wit's end when the dashing Lord Fitzherbert Frost, the current Earl of Houghton, appears as if by magic and comes to her rescue, saving her from yet another fortune hunter. Now paired with Lord Frost during a rather absurd treasure hunt through the manor house, Amelia must decide if she is willing to trade one night in the earl's bed for a lifetime of ruination. Or whether the magical power of love can melt even the frostiest of hearts before it is too late. This 36,300-word novella, which is a companion piece to the "Tales From Seldon Park" series, is written in the modern, Regency romance style for a slightly hotter and sexier read. It may not be appropriate for younger audiences. less

Lord Beaufort McCandless, the Marquess of Kingsford, has lived much of his life kept away from proper Society. Born with mismatched eyes, Beau’s parents thought him the product of a gypsy curse and when he developed a stutter in his youth, they were certain of it. Hidden away at his family’s ancestral home along the Suffolk coast, Beau has grown up nearly alone and convinced that he truly is the monster his family has long believed him to be... moreLord Beaufort McCandless, the Marquess of Kingsford, has lived much of his life kept away from proper Society. Born with mismatched eyes, Beau’s parents thought him the product of a gypsy curse and when he developed a stutter in his youth, they were certain of it. Hidden away at his family’s ancestral home along the Suffolk coast, Beau has grown up nearly alone and convinced that he truly is the monster his family has long believed him to be. Now, however, his parents are gone, taken by a fever, and Beau must somehow find the courage to return to the world outside of his castle walls. Beautiful but penniless, Lady Dinah Crestfield is on her way to become governess to the unruly children of a duke in the wilds of Norfolk. The daughter of a baron, she was once pampered and celebrated for miles around until her father died in debtor’s prison over unpaid gambling debts. She had once imagined a very different life for herself, one lived in the glittering lights of London. Now? She will take whatever respectable job that is offered to her, no matter how far away it is from the place she most longs to be. When her carriage overturns near the entrance to the notoriously reclusive Marquess of Kingsford’s home, Dinah is forced to either seek shelter with the so-called “cursed marquess” or freeze to death. Can she swallow her fear long enough to spend a few nights beneath the man’s roof? And if she does, is she brave enough to see past what others term his “unnatural” appearance to the man that lies beneath? less

Lady Grace Rowe, the dowager Countess of Colbourne, is ready to indulge in an affair. Still in the late blush of youth and after a loveless marriage to a man old enough to be her grandfather, she believes that is the least she deserves... moreLady Grace Rowe, the dowager Countess of Colbourne, is ready to indulge in an affair. Still in the late blush of youth and after a loveless marriage to a man old enough to be her grandfather, she believes that is the least she deserves. She also believes that the dowager Duchess of Winterset’s “Night of a Thousand Stars” ball at Highburn Castle during the Christmas season is the place to conduct such an affair – if only she knew who she wished to conduct it with! Lord Marcel Blanchard, Count Aris, is half French, half English and not the sort of man given to brief affairs. Lonely and searching for a place to call home, Marc isn’t certain that he wants a wife, but he does know he desires something more permanent than one night in a lady’s bed. When Grace and Marc meet in a shadow hallway with Highburn Castle, sparks fly between then. She wants an affair. He doesn’t know what he wants. The only thing they are both certain of is that they want each other. Is there a future for them outside of the magical Christmas castle or is one night together all they will ever have? less

Eight years ago, Lord Colin Thorne rescued a young woman from a convent at the direction of the Home Office – a woman who was destined to become his partner in the art of spycraft. Now, after unexpectedly inheriting his brother’s title, Colin is expected to give up his life’s work with Thera and settle down, which includes announcing his engagement to a woman he barely knows on Christmas Eve... moreEight years ago, Lord Colin Thorne rescued a young woman from a convent at the direction of the Home Office – a woman who was destined to become his partner in the art of spycraft. Now, after unexpectedly inheriting his brother’s title, Colin is expected to give up his life’s work with Thera and settle down, which includes announcing his engagement to a woman he barely knows on Christmas Eve. For the last six years, Teresa Barrington has done her duty to Crown and country by Colin’s side and never regretted a moment of it, even when doing so cost her more than she should have been willing to give. Now it’s time for Colin to begin a new life, but this time without her by his side. She, in turn, is about to embark upon a new life as well, when she is introduced to Society as the long-lost granddaughter of a duke. However, parting ways is something that both Colin and Thera are finding easier said than done. Can they both somehow make peace with their proposed new futures, or will they give in to temptation and the magic of the holiday season as it winds its way around them at a Christmastide house party that is legendary for producing love matches? less

In a secluded London library, Lord Eli Queensbury committed the ultimate sin – he kissed his best friend’s sister and fell madly in love. As a spy for the Crown, he should have known better, so he did the only thing he could. He cut off all contact with the woman who had held his heart since childhood. Now, however, Eli finds himself at her family’s castle for Christmastide on a matter of great urgency... moreIn a secluded London library, Lord Eli Queensbury committed the ultimate sin – he kissed his best friend’s sister and fell madly in love. As a spy for the Crown, he should have known better, so he did the only thing he could. He cut off all contact with the woman who had held his heart since childhood. Now, however, Eli finds himself at her family’s castle for Christmastide on a matter of great urgency. He also has to hope that the woman he spurned doesn’t toss him out into the snow before he can complete his mission.One magical spring night, Lady Christi Thorne gave away her heart to her childhood friend, Eli Queensbury, who then turned around and smashed that same heart to bits. She hopes that spending the Christmas season with her family at Highburn Castle will help her heal and move on with her life. However, when Eli appears at her front door in the middle of a blizzard, she can’t decide whether to kiss him or slam the door in his face.As Eli attempts to win Christi’s forgiveness, secrets from his past threaten to destroy any chance he has with the woman who has always held his heart. Can Christi forgive Eli for breaking her heart? If she does, can she also accept the truth of who he is or will this lord’s Christmas wish forever be denied? less