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

“I want more than Standish. I want the men who work with him support him and who would betray us.”


David pursed his lips. “Wait here.”


He ran lightly up the stairs and headed for his chamber where he quickly opened the safe beneath the painting on the wall. He pulled out the bundle of letters marked ‘vault’ he had taken from Standish’s safe, and tapped them against his hand.


He went back to the study. Charnley was sipping tea Mrs. Crawford brought and looking thoughtful.”


“When I went to look for the letter, I picked these up.” He handed the packet to Charnley


Charnley took them gingerly. “What are they?”


“I found them in the safe. Wrapped in paper marked vault. I presume they were ready to go to the bank with the rest of his documents.”


Chapter 77