Reading It Wrong

By A.L. Lester

Paul Cranford regrets asking Louise and Darcy Middleton to let the kids from his class have a look at the fifteenth century letter they’re selling at auction. If it hadn’t been for him, it would never have been in the theatre overnight to even get stolen in the first place.

Darcy isn’t keen on Paul Cranford. He’s never quite got over the way Paul knocked him back when Darcy tried to ask him out. But when the letter is stolen from the theatre and Darcy is hurt in the process, Paul steps up to help him and he starts to understand him better.

Getting back the letter means they get to know each other better. Will that date Paul turned down happen after all?

A date turned down. A stolen letter. A reminder that nerds don’t just play board games. Reading It Wrong is a gentle M/M romance set in the small-town world of Theatr Fach.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Sep 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685505363

A.L. Lester

Writer of queer, paranormal, historical, romantic suspense. Lives in the South West of England with Mr AL and two children. Likes gardening but doesn't really have time or energy. Not musical. Doesn't much like telly. Non-binary. Chronically disabled. Has tedious fits.Instagram, tiktok, fb: CogentHippoMastodon: @[e-mail]

Book preview

Reading It Wrong

By A.L. Lester

Published by JMS Books LLC

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2023 A.L. Lester

ISBN 9781685505363

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Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

All rights reserved.

WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

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To Paston Letters fans everywhere.

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Reading It Wrong

By A.L. Lester

Chapter 1

Darcy

"How can a town support not one, but two antiquarian book sellers? It’s bloody ridiculous!" Darcy fumed at his sister as she peered through her glasses at the laptop screen.

He was so irritated he was pacing to-and-fro in front of the counter, waving his arms.

Louise started to answer, Well, Hay does… and then glanced up and over his shoulder, frowning at him in passing. Hello there, can I help you? she asked the person he’d failed to notice coming up behind him.

Darcy swung round as he stepped out of the way.

Oh. No. That was just what he needed.

Paul Cranford nodded to him politely but didn’t meet his eyes, instead smiling at Louise as he stepped up to the desk. Er. Yes, he said. I’ve, er— He glanced quickly and dismissively over at Darcy again, who’d folded his arms and was glaring at him. Hi Louise, how are you?

I’m good thanks, Paul. How are you? How’s David? Is he still at the boatyard?

Paul smiled at her. Yes! They’re doing really well; they’ve got some big contracts in at the moment. I’m sure he’d send his best to you.

It’s been ages since I’ve seen him, Louise said. A couple of years, at least. He’s not a reader. She grinned at him.

He’s more outdoorsy than me, Paul told her. Always has been. I was a failure as a little brother. He smiled as he said it, clearly joking.

I remember from school, Louise said. He did all sorts of sport. I remember him badgering you to join in and you being happier in the library. What are you looking for today? Can I help you with anything? That new release you’re waiting for hasn’t come in yet, she said regretfully.

He shook his head. No, that’s not why I’ve come by, he said. It’s something different. I’m here for a favour actually.

Darcy didn’t bother to stifle his huff of irritation. A favour, he said, flatly, at the same time as Louise said, Anything I can do to help! What sort of favour?

Paul glanced over at Darcy for a second time as he interjected and then looked back at Louise, ignoring him. That wound Darcy up even more, but Louise gave him a quelling look and said, Be quiet please, baby brother! and then turned back to Paul. What sort of favour?

Darcy growled under his breath. She never let him forget he’d been an afterthought to their parents and was fifteen years younger than her.

Right, er. Well. You know I teach at St Baruc Primary. I…er. I heard about the letter that you’re selling.

Louise nodded. The letter…we’re selling it at auction, in the middle of the week, she said. At the theatre. On Thursday.

Yes, he said. I. Er. I wonder if it would be possible for the children to see it before it’s sold?" he said.

Why? said Darcy, sharply. It wasn’t any of his business really, but Paul put his back up simply by existing these days and this was his sister and the letter he’d found. Nothing to do with Mr Paul I’m too good to date you Cranford.

Paul looked over at him again, polite enough to notice him this time. Oh, hello, Darcy, he said. He pushed his glasses up his nose and blushed. Well, he said. It’s local history. It’s important.

Darcy opened his mouth and then closed it again. He couldn’t argue with that.

"I mean…it’s not local, local. But from what I’ve read about it, it’s a very normal sort of letter, about family and Christmas and things like that. I think the kids would be able to identify with it. We’re doing a letter-writing project,