All the Honorable St. John Ashford ever wanted was his father’s love, but if he can’t have that, he’ll settle for being noticed. In an effort to do that, St. John sets his sights on Andrew Dorincourt, a man for whom the Viscount has nothing but disdain. Surely this will draw his father’s attention?  Unfortunately, while Andrew seems willing to date him, he appears entirely disinterested in anything else. St. John knows it’s just a matter of time before all his plans going up in smoke, especially when Andrew becomes attracted to an exotic young man he rescued from Malossini’s House of Oddities.<br><br>Robin Dorincourt is something of a playboy who enjoys nothing so much as flitting from one boyfriend to another. He doesn’t poach, though, and when he finds himself attracted to St. John Ashford, he does what he can to keep a healthy distance between them, using taunts and teasing. It’s difficult, until he realizes his brother is in love with someone else. Robin’s path toward St. John is clear, and he makes his move.<br><br>But is his path as clear as he imagines? St. John might be as attracted to Robin as Robin is to him, but he’ll be damned if he allows himself to be passed from one brother to the other as if he’s nothing more than a poor second choice. Now it remains is for Robin to persuade St. John he’s no one’s second choice.

More, by All Mores

In a corner of the bookshelf was my Paddington Bear. I ran gentle fingers over the shapeless red hat and the worn nap of his brown fur. Father had never approved of that gift from Mama, but he so seldom came into my room that when he ordered me to throw it away, he’d just assumed I had obeyed him. Paddington was coming with me, no matter what anyone thought. I hugged him to me, then placed him into a corner of the suitcase and snapped it shut.


I put my wallet into a pocket, then glanced one final time around the room, taking in the record albums stacked neatly by the small stereo, and the prizes I had won when I’d shown my Welsh pony. I walked out of the room, closed the door, and went down the stairs, to find Robert waiting there. I came to an abrupt halt.


“Is that all you’re bringing?” He gestured toward my suitcase.


Chapter 20