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 gong sounded and they all rose and headed for the small dining room, although small was something of a misnomer, for it was still huge. The staff had done them proud. It looked magnificent, and Jo had worked with Cook to make sure the food was delicious. Jeremy had to admit, it was nice to be on the receiving end of a meal rather than running about serving it. He was sure to smile gratefully at the staff as he knew exactly how much hard work went in to getting a perfect meal on the table.


They began with soup and Jeremy had laid enough tables, and watched enough of the upper ten thousand dine, to know how to go on, but even so, he kept a close eye on what the others did. They were part way through a splendid rack of lamb when Charnley spoke again to David.


“So, what is your plan now?” he asked. A simple question, one that Jeremy was particularly interested in. They hadn’t discussed the future at all.


“I don’t know.” David dropped his gaze to his plate and cut a piece of meat.


Chapter 80