There is nothing Matthias Deverell, illegitimate son of a marquis, wants more than to remove the murmurs of treason that haunt his father’s name. He is determined to do just that, even if it means completing the nearly impossible task of reassembling the globe his father used as a safe. With pieces spread all over London, it will take all of Matthias’ considerable skill at intimidation to retrieve them. Nicholas Rexford, young Viscount Leighton, wants only to be able to provide a comfortable life for himself and his three sisters. After being left in near-poverty thanks to their father’s spending and gambling, Nick is desperate to find a business venture he can invest in to turn their fortunes around. Sadly, he has no head for business, preferring to spend his time engrossed in horrid novels. When Matthias finds Nick in possession of a piece of the globe, he believes the handsome young man to be in on the scheme, and decides to keep a closer eye on him. But when Nick meets Matthias, he is enthralled by the “dark and dangerous bastard” who could have stepped out of one of his novels. Despite his suspicions, Matthias is drawn to Nick, but will his suspicions destroy what is developing between them and cost Matthias a chance at happiness?

The Bastard's World

As he led Lady Holcombe through the hall on the way to the dining room, however, it all ceased to matter. On a side table was an exquisite crystal bowl being held by a cast iron stand that Matthias recognized immediately. He barely managed to restrain his sigh of relief. Tomorrow, after a few well-placed words with his host, the stand would be back in his possession.


Matthias’ mood improved to the point that he could look on Lady Holcombe’s fear and everyone’s unease with humor instead of irritation. What did they expect him to do, after all? In all his twenty-nine years, he had never made a public spectacle of himself. He’d had enough of that growing up amidst his parents’ scandalous affair.


As he was seating Lady Holcombe at the table, he was suddenly possessed by the notion of pulling her chair away instead. Perhaps that would satisfy the trepidation of the other guests. Hopefully just the image would be enough to sustain him through seven courses of banality.


Chapter 5