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

Matthias got off the bed and took Nick’s coat from the chair. Nick braced himself for whatever temptation Matthias intended. “Your sisters,” was all Matthias said, holding the coat for Nick to put on.


Warily, Nick slid his arms into the sleeves, waiting for yet another of those sensual assaults that were so difficult to resist. “I haven’t been from home—that is, away from all of them—for a night since we came to Town. I’ve barely been away a night since I left Cambridge.” As Nick spoke, Matthias helped him on with his coat, then turned him around. “Perhaps another night—” Nick stopped. It had certainly seemed as though Matthias wanted another encounter, but it was entirely possibly that he now thought it too troublesome. “That is—”


Matthias silenced him with yet another kiss, but while this one was as pleasurable as any other, it wasn’t overpowering, and Matthias broke it off before it became too deep. “You and your sisters attend a great many balls.”


Chapter 30