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

“Marianne believes that Rockingham has taken up with one of the sopranos. She wants to see the woman. Then when Rockingham—”


“Good God, I don’t want to know the details.” Julien held up his hand. It would be little trouble for him to send a note and arrange to go to the opera the following day. Or tonight. Julien glanced at the clock. There was still plenty of time for them to prepare to attend tonight. He was quite certain that Leander would be glad as he to meet again sooner rather than later. “You may have the box and are welcome to it.”


“Excellent.” Cordelia smiled, fully restored to her usual cheerful self. “Now that that’s settled, about Dearborne—does this mean you’ve ended your association with that dreadful Hartley?”


“If I say yes, will you be satisfied and drop the subject?” While he normally enjoyed having Cordelia around—even when she decided to pry—at the moment he had a very time-sensitive note to write.


“Oh, very well. But this is not the last we’ll speak of it.”


Chapter 48