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

“Here,” he said, shaking it vigorously, and holding it out. Jeremy looked up but didn’t move. “Come, slip into this and let me comb your hair.”


Jeremy rubbed his nose with the end of the towel and then stood up and let it fall. He wouldn’t look David in the eye. David held the robe, so he could slide his arms in, and then he tied the belt.


“Sit.” David indicated the bed and Jeremy sat. David got up onto the bed and kneeled behind him and gently pulled the comb through his wet, tangled hair. He did it a bit at a time, tugging gently, and when he had worked out the tangles, he stroked the comb through it repeatedly. Jeremy gradually leaned back and relaxed.


“Why don’t we have a nap until it is time to eat?” David pulled back the blankets, so they could get in. Jeremy watched, feeling certain he should protest, but he was so damned tired. He clambered in and lay on his back, side by side with David without touching.


“Are you warm enough?” David asked.


Chapter 27