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

The chimes rang out, announcing someone was at the front door. “Robert, Uncle James is here. Are you ready?” I opened the door. “Good morning, Uncle.”


“Will you come in?” I brushed the lock of hair that had fallen into my eyes off my forehead, and his gaze sharpened. He took my hand.


“Beg pardon? Oh, my ring? Robert gave it to me.”


He blew out a breath. “So it’s serious, is it?”


“Yes, it’s serious, Trevalyan.” Robert was just coming out of the study, where he had been trying to deal with the books, a task which would normally have fallen to Andrew. I hoped he would return soon—my lover was becoming more and more testy, witness by how Robert scowled just then at my uncle. “Your family didn’t take care of St John when they had the opportunity.”


Chapter 43