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

St John wandered into the room and helped himself to a cup of cocoa. He picked up a plate and filled it before taking a seat, a shy, sleepy smile acknowledging my presence. He was wearing a blue striped jumper—my blue striped jumper.


I felt my heart kick. Could this be the start of—I reached for his hand just as the front doorbell chimed, but I ignored it. Mrs Harris would get it. “Singe—”


“Beg pardon, Mr Robin.” Mrs Harris entered, bearing an envelope. “Mr St John, this just arrived for you.” She handed it to him and returned to the kitchen.


He opened the flap, withdrew the sheet of paper, and unfolded it. I watched as he scanned the message, becoming alarmed when he turned so pale I thought he might faint. “Singe, what’s wrong?”


Chapter 27