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

It had none of the lust or passion of their usual kisses behind it, but it left Matthias feeling as though his spacious bed chamber was suddenly rather too small. “We should begin preparing for Chalk Field,” he said as he rose from the bed. “I’ll have ?mer bring coffee and find the pistols.”


Nick allowed himself a shiver as he stepped down from Matthias’ coach. One shiver, at least, was surely allowed, since neither Esmond nor his seconds had arrived yet. It wasn’t terribly cold, but damp and very foggy, causing the misty, early morning Chalk Fields to seem quite surreal. It would be a very strange place to die indeed, if that’s what was to happen this morning. If that didn’t warrant a shiver or two, Nick didn’t know what did.


Chapter 76