“We're planning on meeting with Sarah and her parents next week. How would you like that?"

"That sounds...brilliant." Will plastered on a fake smile and tried to sound excited. It was difficult when he'd just discovered where his feelings truly lay. Not with a total stranger, but with someone he'd known for years. 

Life in Restoration England isn't easy for William Garnett, especially when he realizes he's falling in love with a boy—his best friend, Augustus.

After London's Great Plague claims Augustus's youngest sister, their parents turn to trusted friends. Augustus and his other sister are sent to safely live with Will's rich family in the English countryside. 

Will is anxious as he hides his feelings from the object of his affection and his domineering parents. But he lets go when their feelings become mutual. Will and Augustus brazenly defy society and Will's parents by secretly pursuing their romance. 

Will's strait-laced parents have already planned his future: an arranged courtship and marriage to Sarah, the daughter of another wealthy family. 

They're also pushing him into an accounting position in the family business. His gifted sister Lily would be perfect for the job, but her priority is to start looking for a husband—even at age thirteen. 

Yet there might be hope for Will and his sister! Their free-spirited uncle believes they should follow their own path.

But just when things seem to be looking up, everything goes wrong. Through a cruel twist of Fate, the boys are left to fend for themselves while in grave danger.

As the repercussions of deviating from their rigid society stare them down, they are faced with a daunting choice that could destroy their lives: Will they follow the rules, or follow their hearts?

Cover Art by Jordan Mislang Samera, 2021

Book 1: Burnt Bliss

Things aren't going well--at all. I didn't tell you this before and pre-tended nothing was wrong because I didn't want to make this worse. We pretended everything was fine when you were here. But truth will out, so alas. 


My parents accidentally found and intentionality read my journal, so they obviously found out about myself and Augustus. They punish'd me by kepeing it from me. One of so few places I could be myself. This was last month, not long after my birthdaye. 


My mother was furious at such dis-obedience. We had an awfull fight. I broke an important heirloom and went into a panic. She blames Augustus for "ruining" me and put him in a separate room. She has gone on numerous tirades about our lack of morals, so we've been fighting ever since. 


When I had you over so oftene a few wekes ago, that was all a ploy to pretend I chose you over Augustus to get them to leave us alone for a short while, but stopped when I saw how much it hurt him. He was worth it. 


Chapter 31: Free Will!