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

“No!” Jeremy shouted, reaching out, but Fisher slapped him again.


In front of the entire staff, Andrews pulled out his silks, his satin and lace. His robe from David. His dress. He held them up so everyone could see and then laughed incredulously. He held up the dress like a trophy and a ripple of uneasy laughter started in the room.


“What the hell are those?” Fisher bellowed at him. “Are they yours? Are they? What in God’s name are you?” His voice rose to a shriek, and the noise from the staff became louder, laughter, derision…


Fisher pulled out several of Jeremy’s drawings of dresses, his designs. He held them up to the staff and laughed like a madman. “You draw pictures of dresses? Do you wear dresses?” He took the papers and tore them up, shrieking at him all the while. His face was red, and spittle flew from his mouth. The staff were laughing and shouting.


The stolen pearls seemed forgotten in the excitement of the discovery of Jeremy’s secrets. He could bear it no more.


Chapter 21