One Waltz with the Earl — Bethany Sefchick

Eight years ago, Lord Colin Thorne rescued a young woman from a convent at the direction of the Home Office â€" 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?

This 42,300-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.