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

The door opened, then closed again the moment Nick stepped inside. Nick glanced behind him at the sound and the light glinted on his golden curls. Struck with desire to—of all things—run his fingers through those curls, Matthias rose from behind his desk.


“You say you have business to discuss?” Nick tone was light and teasing. There was no sign of censure for what had happened at the house party.


Three strides carried Matthias across the room, and in the next moment, he had his hands in Nick’s hair and was using it to drag Nick’s mouth up to his. He spent several long minutes exploring the warmth of Nick’s mouth before the kiss broke off and Nick offered up his neck. “Is this your notion of a business proposition, Mr. Deverell?” Nick asked in a breathless laugh.


“Three thousand pounds,” Matthias murmured, nuzzling Nick’s jaw.


Nick froze in his arms. “What?” He turned his head away when Matthias tried to capture his mouth. “What did you say?”


Chapter 67