Once Upon a Viscount by Bethany M. Sefchick

Much to the dismay of nearly everyone, Lady Charity Thorne and Lord Campbell St. John, Viscount Sutton, have been friends since childhood. In fact, they are so close that they confide in each other about everything, including their families’ demands that they marry. Just not each other, of course. That would be unseemly.

Campbell does plan to wed – eventually. Though, by the time the annual Night of a Thousand Stars Christmastide ball at Highburn Castle arrives, Charity is facing a difficult choice – marry the man her father has selected for her or become a spinster. Determined to know a lover’s touch at least once, Charity sets out to have an affair during the house party and she wants Campbell’s help to accomplish her goal.

However, an errant kiss between the two shatters what has always been the perfect friendship. As Campbell takes on the role of Charity’s temporary lover, can either of them come to terms with their changing feelings? More importantly, will their new-found love survive beyond the house party and Highburn’s magical holiday spell?

This 68,600-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.