Robert Thorne would prefer not to get married. He enjoys his life: a viscount's younger brother, a lighthearted rake, fond of men and women and sensational novels. Unfortunately, tonight's ball is intended to celebrate his engagement. And his intended husband comes with a fortune, enough to repair the Thorne family's failing finances and secure their future. But they've barely spoken two words to each other, and the young man's very shy and very innocent -- someone Robert's brother's chosen for him, not the person Robert wants. But the person Robert wants is exactly the person he shouldn't: Anthony, his secretary. Anthony's the best and most organized part of Robert's life -- and off-limits, because Anthony's employed by the family to keep an eye on him ... Anthony Price has two secrets. Everyone knows that his family used to be wealthy, and that Anthony's needed to find employment to support himself and his mother and sister. But no one knows that he has another life -- and growing success as an author of lurid novels, written under a pen name. And no one knows that he's hopelessly in love with Robert Thorne, who is engaged to another man. Anthony will do anything to ensure Robert's happiness -- but when the engagement ball ends in disaster, secrets are revealed, hearts are exposed, and everything can change ... on one night in London.

One Night in London: Robert and Anthony

“Yes,” Anthony agreed, and gathered him close, head resting atop Robert’s. “You are.” 5


The morning dawned cool and pale and new around the edges, blue and white and clean; Robert yawned, felt a firm cozy weight draped all around him, felt the poke of a hot hardness against his backside, and hastily woke up more.


And then he smiled. Anthony. In his bed. Being very much inclined toward cuddling in sleep, apparently. Long possessive limbs had wrapped themselves around Robert’s body, and Anthony’s breath tickled his ear, and Robert had never been so happy. He thought he might break apart with the immensity of it; he just lay there holding the feeling in both hands and letting it wash over him.


The air tasted a bit chilly, though the sun was well up; the room was light, the way he felt. He couldn’t see the clock, and wondered about the time. Would everyone else have breakfasted? Or would they encounter anyone in the hall?


Chapter 30