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

A tap on the door made him jump, and he turned to find a tall, slender woman wearing an apron over a high-necked cream dress with a small floral print standing in the doorway. Her fair hair was tucked into a lace cap, which was tied neatly under her chin, and she was frowning at David. She looked like a housekeeper.


Jeremy held his breath at the sheer impertinence, his gaze flashing between the newcomer and David.


“Change of plan,” David said with a smile. “Good to see you.” To Jeremy’s amazement, he went and kissed the woman on the cheek. “Mrs. Crawford, may I introduce you to Mr. Jeremy Naylor. Mr. Naylor will be staying with me for a little while. Could you arrange for him to have the blue chamber?”


He turned to Jeremy. “Mr. Naylor, I’d like you to meet Mrs. Josephine Crawford. She looks after us all, keeps us in order, and feeds us.”


Jeremy bowed. “Delighted to meet you.”


Chapter 38