The only surviving son of a poor American farmer, Leander Mayfield is shocked to learn that he is in fact the new Earl of Dearborne. Barely recovered from one of the many illnesses that have plagued him all his life, he sets sail for England and a new life.<br><br>Tired and bored with all the wealth and finery that constantly surrounds him, Julien Sutcliffe, the Earl of Blackstone, is constantly on the lookout for something to lift his ennui. Then he meets the young American Earl, whose naiveté he finds refreshing and new.<br><br>Drawn to each other, it actually begins to seem as though they might be able to enjoy a happy life in each other’s company, but something -- or someone -- is determined to separate them permanently.

The Desire for Dearborne

“Do you know if my own estates are so large?”


Julien considered what little he knew about the Dearborne holdings. “I’ve no doubt at least one is, probably the one in Somerset. The other may just be a country home.”


Leander took a deep breath and blew it out slowly.


“May I ask how many acres your father owned?”


You can live on that?!Julien almost blurted, but caught himself. How strange for Leander to have more in common with his tenants and cottagers than with his fellow landowners. “Your knowledge of farming will no doubt be beneficial.”


This only prompted another unhappy sigh. “I was too ill to be of much help on the farm,” Leander said, one corner of his mouth tucked downward. “My brothers worked with my father most of the time.”


“You have brothers?” Julien said, wondering why they hadn’t made the voyage with him.


“Not anymore.” Leander’s voice was barely a whisper.


Chapter 39