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

Jeremy got up carefully, like one would when approaching an angry dog. He took the few steps needed to stand in front of David and took hold of one of his hands. He was surprised when he let him hold it.


“I am here because I want you, I trust you, and I love you.”


David screwed his eyes shut. “Stop saying that,” he said in a tortured whisper.


Jeremy took his other hand and watched as Jo, Mr. Kendrick, and the others got up from the table and quietly left, closing the door behind them, leaving Jeremy holding David’s shaking hands.


“I will keep saying it until you believe me.” He ran his thumbs over David’s knuckles. “I love you.”


“I am not the sort of man that people love.” David’s voice was low. His eyes still closed. “I let people down, I lie, steal, cheat…”


“I did. Can’t you see? You got thrown out because of me. You got thrown in Newgate because of me.”


“You did. I left the pearls in my pocket.”


Chapter 74