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

“This is ridiculous,” Jo shouted above the cacophony of sound that went up as the Ordinary set foot out on the gallows. The crowd surged again, and David found it hard to breathe. He turned and tried to open the gate, but too many bodies meant it was almost impossible.


“Next time there is a push, we all move together and get through the gate. If we stay here, we will be crushed. This is getting nasty,” he shouted, trying to maintain his balance as several bodies pinned him tight. There was a sudden commotion as a pie seller fell from his stool, throwing his wares over the crowd and as people tried to move they fell and the surging people simply washed over them. He could hear the screams, feel the panic in the crowd and as he dragged the door open he saw a woman throw a baby to a man before the crowd swallowed her. David stumbled over the threshold and pulled Jo and Kendrick with him.


They slammed the door behind them and stood, panting, looking, waiting.


Chapter 69