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

“Julien?” Seaforth’s voice brought him back to the present.


“I beg your pardon. I was wool-gathering.”


“Are you going to join us at Lady Grenville’s salon today?” Penelope asked.


The last thing Julien wanted to do at the moment was sit and discuss the merits of Plato’s teachings, Sappho’s poetry, Cicero’s speeches, or whatever subject had taken Lady Grenville’s fancy this month. “I’m afraid I’ll have to decline, but I would be happy to meet you later to go riding.”


His offer was enough to placate Penelope, as he knew it would be. “That’s an excellent notion. The air would do you a world of good.”


He probably should have expected that, Julien thought, exchanging a wry smile with Seaforth


Chapter 69