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

By the time applause broke out in the theater, Nick felt fairly certain he had planned for any number of directions the evening might take.


“This was quite lovely,” Charlotte said as they all rose. “Thank you so much for this evening, Mr. Deverell.”


Nick was pleased that she sounded quite sincere.


“It was my pleasure, I assure you, Mrs. Audley.”


Then there was the chore of getting through the crowd to the door of the theater, where Matthias pointed out Lord Beresford and his parents standing next to a handsome dark blue coach made in the latest style.


Chapter 25