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

“I don’t know what happened to him.” That wasn’t a lie. Not exactly


“It’s different with him, isn’t it?”


“Yes.” There was no point in trying to elaborate how vastly different the two men were. Whereas Leander was uncertain about many superficial things, he had a core of strength and loyalty that was unwavering. Leander would never have dreamed of asking of him what Tobias had. Leander would never have asked what Julien had asked of him. Despite the fact that such stubborn loyalty was likely what had led to this trouble, Julien couldn’t bring himself to wish for Leander to be any different.


Cordelia seemed to realize he wasn’t going to look at her. “I’ll be on my way,” she said with a light touch on his arm.


Julien waited until he heard the front door close behind her before tearing his gaze from the window.


Chapter 86