The year is 1806. Bastard-born jewel thief David Lambert has few rules in his personal life. Never bed the staff, never more than once with the same man, and never, ever, kiss. Attending an aristocratic party and relieving some of the wealthy of their possessions should be easy, but in the space of a weekend, one by one all his rules are shattered by a footman with a secret.<br><br>Jeremy Naylor thought he had found the man of his dreams, the one man who might understand him. Someone passionate, handsome, and respectable. But in one shocking moment his world is destroyed, and he is forced to run for his life.<br><br>Flung together to escape the hangman’s noose, the passion between David and Jeremy burns fiercely. But Jeremy yearns for respectability, and David refuses to admit what lies in his heart. Will they find a way together, or will their differences lead them to the very brink of disaster and the shadow of the gallows?

Thief of Hearts

He lugged him up the staircase and got him out of the way before anyone noticed. He opened the door to his chamber, locked it behind him, staggered to the bed, and dropped his charge none too gently onto it. He stood, breathing heavily, and looked at the lad. He looked shocking. Pale, clammy, and if David was any judge, likely to vomit at any moment. He fished under the bed and came up with a pretty chamber pot and put it beside him. There was water in the wash basin, so he squeezed out a cloth and laid it over his forehead, then pulled the black shoes from his feet and loosened his neck cloth.


“Come on, Violet Eyes, wake up.” He sat and patted one cheek gently and got a murmur in response. He’d been right about the hair. Damp black curls were plastered to his head.


“That’s the ticket,” he said briskly and patted again.


Chapter 5