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

Leighton stared at him for a moment as if he wasn’t sure what he was seeing. Then he moved forward with a slight smile that immediately set Matthias on his guard.


He was determined not to let it show, however, as he led Leighton into his bedchamber. Gripping the lapels of Leighton’s coat, Matthias pulled him close. “I sent my valet away for the night,” he murmured before giving Leighton a brief, hard kiss. “Shall we perform those tasks for one another?”


“I suppose,” Leighton replied, sounding quizzical.


A quick shove, and Leighton was down on the bed. Matthias bent and grabbed a leather-clad calf, making Leighton fall back. He pushed up on his elbows and tried to brace himself as Matthias tugged off first one boot, then the other.


That done, Matthias took a seat in the chair across from the bed and stretched his leg until he could prop one foot on Leighton’s thigh. Leighton maneuvered himself until he could pull the offered Hessians off.


Chapter 27