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

Ignoring his plate for the moment, Matthias poured himself another steaming cup of coffee, and without adding anything, took a sip of the fortifying brew. He’d first developed a taste for especially strong coffee in Constantinople and since then ?mer had seen to it that any cook in his employ knew how to make it to Matthias’ taste.


?mer entered the room carrying a silver salver holding the morning’s post, which Matthias immediately waved away. He was still nursing the effects of last night’s brandy and had no desire to read. Either ?mer didn’t see his signal or—far more likely—chose to ignore it and placed the tray on the table next to Matthias’ elbow. Matthias didn’t bother giving him more than a sour look, pointedly continuing to sip his coffee without acknowledging the stack of letters. ?mer gave the tray one more nudge toward him before leaving.


Chapter 63