Lucien Saxby is a journalist, writing for the society pages. The Honourable Aubrey Fanshawe, second son of an earl, is Society. They have nothing in common, until a casual encounter leads to a crisis. Aubrey isn’t looking for love. He already has it, in his long-term clandestine relationship with Lord and Lady Hernedale. And Lucien is the last man Aubrey should want. He’s a commoner, raised in … commoner, raised in service, socially unacceptable. Worse, he writes for a disreputable, gossip-hungry newspaper. Aubrey can’t afford to trust him when arrest and disgrace are just a breath away.
Lucien doesn’t trust nobs. Painful experience has taught him that working people simply don’t count to them. Years ago, he turned his back on a life of luxury so his future wouldn’t depend on an aristocrat’s whim. Now, thanks to Aubrey, he’s becoming entangled in the risky affairs of the upper classes, antagonising people who could destroy him with a word.
Aubrey and Lucien have too much to hide—and too much between them to ignore. Rejecting the strict rules and closed doors of Edwardian society might lead them both to ruin… but happiness and integrity alike demand it.
A standalone Edwardian romance novel
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I really enjoyed this story of a gay journalist from humble origins, and a bisexual, polyamorous nobleman, working to fit a growing loving relationship into the minimal overlap of their lives in turn-of-the-century London.
The Honourable Aubrey Fanshawe has been in love with his best friend Rupert, Lord Hernedale, since they were boys at Eton. Rupert’s wife and childhood friend Henrietta loves both of them, and although marrying Rupert was her logical choice to protect all their futures, the couple have as much as possible made a place for Aubrey in their life and when safe, their bed. Where they all enjoy each other, with Rupert at times watching, at times joining in.
Still, Aubrey is the one who has to get up out of that bed, leave the two people he loves, and go home in the dark and cold. Sometimes, despite the sweetness of their relationship, he is desperately lonely. And sometimes he has sex with other men, because he can’t just march over there and demand room in that big bed.
Lucien is the son of a valet, and spent his childhood as servant-companion to a chronically ill nobleman. He could have done that forever, but service grated on him, and he left, first for the military and now to make his living as a journalist. He has an old friend whom he sometimes meets for quick sex, and he dallies with strangers in the parks that are known cruising grounds, but something in him yearns for a relationship that lasts longer than it takes to come, and that goes deeper than being pals with a happily married man who sometimes likes a tumble on the gay side.
Lucien has never wanted a relationship with an aristocrat, though. His parents’ lives were spent at the whim of nobility, and his time in service to William, where a mask of friendship covers obligation, makes him leery of the upper class. He accepts and resents William’s continued gifts and casual charities, as they smooth his life but make him itch. The last thing he wants is a man of money keeping him as a lover. But a night at a play brings him and Aubrey together, and that sweet, diffident, careful young man works his way under Lucien’s guard. And nothing in his life will be simple again.
I really appreciated the historical grounding of this story, from the clothes and social mores, to the details of the women’s suffrage movement and the strains of class differences. I also loved having strong female characters, an ace-spectrum character, and a polyamory where a new lover isn’t a reason to devalue the old. The progression of the relationships felt realistic, and the obstacles valid. The ending wraps up a bit easily, with a couple of big obstacles swept away, but it was warm and sweet and didn’t impose limits on love. I’m really looking forward to the next in the series.
One day I will write a top 10 romance reads of all time list, and this book will be on it. It’s just… achingly romantic. Stunning. Beautifully written, unbelivably engaging, so wonderfully layered. THERE IS SO MUCH LOVE. I feel like I’ve said nothing useful here, but I’m hoping you understand how strongly I reccomend this book!
This book was phenomenal. I can’t count the number of times I’ve recommended it. Spectacular queer, gender, and class representation all within a gripping plot about layered, compelling characters.
I loved this book and am still thinking about it months after I read it… <3
This one is cerebral and tender and just does not let go. The protagonists are lovely, and I would like Hettie and Miss Enfield to be my best friends. But the secret sauce for me turned out to be Rupert, he really snuck up on me as a late-game dealbreaker. Oh you should’ve seen the rage-notes in my kindle highlights. Very glad this is a “book 1” and patiently awaiting another installment, as long as it takes.
Writing a book about a polyamorous affair isn’t easy, yet the author does a credible job of making us like all the character involved and hoping they get their HEA. Set in Edwardian England Aubrey Fanshawe is an aristocrat involved with Lord and Lady Hernedale, a married couple and for obvious reasons needs to keep it hush hush especially from Henrietta’s overly curious and boorish brother.
When Aubrey meets Lucien Saxby he is fascinated by the young man enough to bring him back to his home for the night, but then horrified to discover Lucien is a society journalist capable of destroying his reputation with the stroke of a pen.
Set against the backdrop of women’s suffrage this historical romance has more to offer than just the difficulty of men loving men in an age when imprisonment and hard labor could be the end result of a torrid affair. Women’s rights are explored too, along with men’s indifference to their plight.
Altogether, a beautifully written story that I shall read again and recommend it highly
This was a fabulous historical romance. One of the most interesting and unsual premises I’ve ever read and the relationship dynamics were handled with a deft touch.