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

“You don’t have to do that,” he said, going and taking her arm.


Jo smiled, but it was a little sad. “I can move faster like this. Less conspicuous.”


David was more moved than he could say. Joseph Crawford had been one of his closest friends from when he was first flung into the stews of London. Helping him become the person that he was meant to be, Josephine Crawford, had been a long and difficult road, but one he had been glad to travel with her. He wasn’t at all happy she’d opted to be a housekeeper and hide away in his house. He’d wanted her to pose as his sister, but that was her choice and as much as he disliked it, he respected it. He also remembered how badly dressing in men’s clothing affected her and knew how much this must be costing.


“Dammit,” David said, and pulled her into a brief but tight one-armed hug.


She grinned at him. “Feels like I’m in disguise.”


“Silly sod,” David whispered, squeezing his eyes tight shut on a wave of emotion.


Chapter 61