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

Despite the tension thrumming through him, Matthias couldn’t help but notice how attractive Leighton was when blushing.


Leighton’s warning caused the girl to pause, but not for long. “Charlotte and Violet found the cabinet at an auction and I found the ‘N’ inside,” she concluded triumphantly.


She nodded airily, then let out a gasp as a large grey stallion began giving his groom trouble. “Ooh, Nicky! Do you think he’ll get away?”


As if it heard her, the stallion reared up, forcing two more grooms to grab for his halter. “You always want them to get away,” Leighton laughed.


“That’s the horse I’d want, if we were here for one,” the girl told her brother.


“Not for anything, Lu.” Leighton flashed a rueful smile at Matthias, but then his sister tugged on his sleeve, drawing his attention once again.


Chapter 18