Thief of Hearts Read online

  Hugging his blanket, he crept from the room and hurried up the back stairs until he reached the kitchen. The housekeeper and the butler both had rooms close by, so he really needed to be silent. He crept in, and he was right. The big range burned glowing with dark reds and oranges and better still, the space was completely empty. He prowled about just to be sure, and when he was satisfied it was safe, he sat on a cushion on the floor beside the range, sighing and soaking up the warmth. As the shivering stopped he looked around to see if he could see a warming brick that he could put in and take back up with him, but he found nothing. He imagined they were all being used to keep the guests warm. He’d wager David Lambert had a warming pan. He’d wager David Lambert could keep him warm, and he spent a few moments thinking about the ways David Lambert might take away the chill which was very pleasant but left him uncomfortably aroused.

  The clock in the servant’s quarters chimed four which meant the scullery maids would be up soon to start the fires. He enjoyed a last bit of warmth before going back to his freezing room, but as he made to move, he heard a noise and his heart jumped. He stood and crept out of the kitchen, heading towards the basement stairs by the rear entrance. He looked over his shoulder, hoping to get back before anyone spotted him, turned, and yelped in horror when he bumped into a very solid figure. He grappled to stay upright before being caught in a very firm grip.

  “Jeremy?” The harsh whisper made Jeremy freeze. David Lambert? What in God’s name was David Lambert doing in by the kitchen door? He pulled back, and sure enough, there was David. Dressed in a long, heavy brocade gown with no cravat. Jeremy’s eyes were drawn to the line of his throat.

  “What the hell are you doing?” David hissed.

  “I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing out of bed and down here?”

  “Come on. You need to get back to your room.” David took him by the arm and towed him along but stopped. “Where is your room?”

  Jeremy pulled free. “Basement. I don’t need you to take me. You need to get back to your own room before someone sees us and wonders what on earth is going on. You’ll get me turned off.”

  The sound of a door opening jolted them both. They froze for a moment, looking at each other. “Fisher.” Jeremy couldn’t keep the fear from his voice. That was Fisher’s door. He knew it. They were going to be caught.

  David grabbed Jeremy’s hand and dragged him along towards the stairs which would lead them up to main body of the house.

  “What are you doing?” Jeremy hissed and thought about resisting, but the sound of Fisher’s cough made him run along.

  They ran silently up the stairs and into the main house, along the corridors until they reached David’s room. The candles in the sconces had gutted and it was pitch black, but David seemed to know exactly where he was going. They tumbled into his chamber. David closed the door and leaned back against it leaving Jeremy in the now familiar room. It smelled of David. Warm, woodsy, with a faint hint of leather.

  “What the hell were you doing wandering about at the dead of night?” David said, hands on hips.

  “I was cold. I went to the kitchen to get warm.” Jeremy’s teeth were chattering now. He hugged his blanket around him.

  “You look frozen.”

  “Well, I was doing fine until you began dragging me about. And anyway, what were you doing wandering about?”

  David strode over to where Jeremy stood by the bed, and Jeremy’s heart went wild. Pounding so fast he felt dizzy. David searched his face for a moment, looked as though he was going to speak, but turned away. Jeremy’s heart felt like it was beating in his ears and he was so damned hard he could scarcely breathe. He’d never wanted anyone so completely. So instantly.

  David turned back to him. They stared at each other and David’s breathing was heavy. He reached out and cupped Jeremy’s cheek and Jeremy’s eyes fluttered closed and he leaned into the caress.

  “Violet Eyes?”

  Jeremy couldn’t speak, he ached so badly. He looked at David, certain that every ounce of need showed in his face, but unable to care.

  “Tell me you want this.”

  Jeremy swallowed and nodded.

  David stood close. His expression unreadable. “Are you sure?”

  Jeremy was trembling with the cold, and sheer, aching need. He nodded again.

  David hesitated. “You’re shaking.”

  Jeremy wasn’t sure what was being asked of him, but he certainly wasn’t in the mood for games. “Do you want me or not?” he said, embarrassment starting to take hold.

  David reached out and ran one finger down Jeremy’s cheek. His gaze followed the path. “I want to be sure you know you have a choice in this. I want you to understand that I want you tonight but make no promises. This is about a moment of pleasure. Nothing more.” He watched him. “Do you still want this?”

  Jeremy tilted his head to one side. What more could there be for men like them other than snatched moments of pleasure.

  “Yes.” His voice was a breath.

  The room was warm thanks to the roaring fire. David walked over to it and threw yet another log on and kicked off his slippers, revealing bare feet. He stood facing Jeremy and watched him for a long moment before his hand went to the cord holding his robe in place. Jeremy’s heart almost stopped as his cock hardened unbearably. David pulled, and his robe fell open. He was naked. Completely naked. Jeremy’s breathing hitched as David shrugged out of it and let it pool by his feet. Firelight flickered over the lean, muscled planes of his body. He was beautiful. His chest was taught with fine dark hair that narrowed down his flat stomach and then below to where he stood erect. Jeremy swallowed.

  David glanced at Jeremy’s nightshirt. “Off,” he whispered.

  Jeremy licked his lips, gathered his wits, and ran his hands down his sides as David’s eyes narrowed and glittered. His cock leaked, making Jeremy feel ridiculously gorgeous. He bunched the nightshirt in his hands and pulled it up, slowly. Past his knees, his thighs…David actually growled. His chest was heaving as he watched. Jeremy lifted it to reveal his groin, and his own erection which was wet and standing rigidly to attention. David made a sound in his throat and took hold of himself and squeezed hard, breathing heavily.

  “Tease,” he whispered.

  Jeremy pulled the nightshirt over his head and stood, naked, offering himself. He wasn’t muscular like David, he knew that, but he wasn’t bad, and nobody had ever complained. He was leaner, his chest hairless, but if the look on David’s face was anything to go by, he was just right.

  David didn’t move for a moment, then he took his hand. Jeremy watched as he linked their fingers together.

  “On the bed.”

  Jeremy let David lead. The blankets were turned down to the foot of the bed, so they climbed on and laid on the soft, fragrant sheets. Jeremy squirmed, feeling the cold softness on his shoulders and on his arse.

  David watched him, and Jeremy felt wanton, writhing on clean white sheets, completely naked, the chill air kissing his body, with a handsome man leaning over him framed by the ruby red of the canopy above. He spread his legs to allow David to settle between them and press on him. His weight was welcome. Jeremy reached up and wrapped a hand around David’s neck, pulling him closer for a kiss. He ached to feel his lips, but when David realised what he was doing, he pulled back, shaking his head.

  “I don’t kiss.”

  Jeremy nodded and groaned as David thrust against him and ran a hand up his thigh.

  “You like the feel of the sheets?” David said, leaning over him.

  Jeremy looked up and touched his face. “Not as much as I like the feel of you.” He felt bold. Beautiful.

  David’s face softened, and he dropped his head onto Jeremy’s shoulder for a moment and then pulled back. “What are you doing to me?” he whispered. As David settled in the cradle of his hips, Jeremy closed his eyes and absorbed every inch of the soft skin touching his. The warmth, the soft brush of hair, strong arms. Jerem
y moaned and brought his legs up and they pressed together tightly. David pulled back and laved hot, open-mouthed kisses down his neck, onto his chest, and lapped at his nipples, making him gasp. For a man who didn’t kiss he was doing a damned fine job. Jeremy sank his fingers into David’s hair and held him gently. He sucked and nipped at one nipple and teased the other with his fingers and Jeremy couldn’t breathe the sensation was so sharp, so engulfing. He thrust up, desperately seeking some kind of friction, and ran his hands down the muscles of David’s back.

  David moved lower, kissing and licking, making him squirm when he dipped his tongue in his navel. He wrapped a hand around his cock and Jeremy wailed helplessly, thrusting into his fist. He’d never experienced anything like it.

  “Let me touch you. I need to touch you.” He pushed at David, but he made a harsh groan and settled himself between Jeremy’s thighs and pushed his hard cock against him and Jeremy arched into him. And then they were rutting hard against each other. A frantic, desperate rhythm. Jeremy linked his legs around David’s hips and buried his face in his shoulder as the world faded away and his crisis hit him hard. He muffled his moans in David’s neck and then David was convulsing in his arms and shouting. They clung together, panting and shaking.

  “Dear God,” David said after a moment. “Dear God.”

  Jeremy was squashed beneath him, but his hard weight felt so heavenly he didn’t move. He kissed David’s shoulder tenderly and stroked his back. He seemed as lost in the moment as Jeremy.

  “Violet Eyes,” David whispered. The husky note in his voice was more pronounced.

  Jeremy swallowed and buried his face in David’s neck again. They stayed that way for a while until David heaved himself up on one arm and rolled off, flopping on his back.

  “Sorry. That was a bit fast.”

  Jeremy felt himself blush from head to toe, and a smile crept out as he looked at David’s profile. “It was, but it was good.”

  David turned his head sideways and looked at him for a long moment before getting up and padding over to the wash stand. He dipped in a cloth and cleaned himself up, found another and squeezed the water out before handing it to Jeremy.

  He got off the bed, took the cloth, and wiped himself clean. He looked around, uncertain what to do with it. David took it from him and dropped it in the bowl. He picked up a towel, dried himself, then handed it to Jeremy who followed suit whilst watching David. He hesitated, unsure of the etiquette in this situation. Did they talk, snuggle in bed, should he leave? He stood awkwardly.

  David jumped back into the bed and pulled up the covers but made no move to invite Jeremy to join him.

  “I should go.” Jeremy stood, uncomfortably naked.

  “You’d best dress first.”

  Jeremy looked down at himself and managed a laugh, thankful for the diversion. “I should. I’ll shock the parlour maids.” He looked at David and willed him to smile, invite him into the bed. To snuggle up, keep warm, cuddle a little.

  He said nothing.

  Jeremy turned his back, so David wouldn’t see his disappointment. He pulled his nightshirt on quickly and wrapped his blanket around his shoulders and headed back to the coldness of his room.

  Chapter 4

  Breakfast was a civilised affair. David strolled down mid-morning, having spent much more of the night than he had intended exploring both the house and then unexpectedly, the delights of Jeremy Naylor’s body. David shivered when he thought of him and the spontaneous, joyous way he gave of himself. Of being held tightly in lean, wiry arms that were a lot stronger than they looked. He allowed himself a moment of recollection, then put it to one side, thankful he would now be able to ignore the surprising rush of arousal the young man had evoked.

  The footmen were there, as usual, fetching and carrying food and drink whilst the guests ate and chatted, but thankfully, there was no sign of Jeremy. David filled his plate with ham and eggs and accepted a cup of tea. Sir Granville was making arrangements with everyone for a morning of entertainment. The February weather was foul. Freezing, sleeting rain and blowing a gale, so the guests were to be entertained by an array of card games and God alone knew what else. David focused on his food and listened to what his companions were going to be doing. He’d done some judicious wandering to establish the layout of the house, and located the rooms for most of the guests and the best ways to exit the house, he just needed to look at what there were likely to be engaged in. He planned to spend Saturday observing with Sunday being the day to begin his endeavours in earnest before he made a swift departure and headed back to London. He put a piece of toast in his mouth and chewed, savouring the sharp tang of the marmalade.

  He chatted to his companions as they ate and kept his gaze on his plate when Jeremy came in carrying a plate of devilled kidneys. He glanced up for a second to see that soft pink flush gracing his cheeks. David speared a piece of ham and cut it into small sections. He now knew Jeremy flushed that beautiful shade of pink when he was aroused as well. And it wasn’t just in his cheeks. David cleared his throat and had to take a sip of tea. He was hot all over again. He was stunned to realise he wanted to go over to Jeremy, sweep all the dishes off the sideboard, bend him over and…he coughed again, enough so he had several offers of aid. He waved a hand and buried his face in his handkerchief. Dear God, he needed to pull himself together.

  Lord Coatsworth sent him a sympathetic smile as he sat beside him and tucked into his breakfast.

  “How are you at piquet, old chap?” he asked once David had righted himself.

  “Bit of a dab hand, actually,” he said, taking a sip of his tea. “Happy to give you a game.”

  “Hah! You’ll be sorry. I’ll have you know I’m reigning champion!”

  David laughed, relieved to have something normal and unthreatening to focus on. He needed to get his mind back on the task in hand and chatting to Coatsworth was just the thing. They moved and made room for Lord and Lady Framling when they came into the room. They were settled in and served. Lady Framling applied herself with gusto to a plate of the kidneys.

  “Have we met?” she said, dabbing at her lips and frowning at David.

  David hesitated a moment but pushed aside the acerbic comment that sprung to his lips and gave her a friendly smile instead. “We have indeed, my Lady. Last night.” He kept his tone light and faintly apologetic.

  “Hmph,” was all she vouchsafed.

  They ate in silence for a few moments.

  “Are you married?”

  David glanced up at her, pausing in the act of bringing his tea cup to his lips. “Not yet,” he said cautiously, then took a sip and replaced his cup and made sure it sat centrally in its saucer.

  “So, how come a handsome lad like you isn’t wed yet?” Coatsworth said, dabbing at his lips with his napkin. “Isn’t it about time you were filling your nurseries?”

  David smiled at Coatsworth. “I’ve a little time to think about matrimony yet. Not quite thirty, you know.”

  Framling gave him a long look. “Don’t think I know your family,” he said. His tone was pointed.

  “My parents died some time ago.”

  “Sorry to hear that, my boy,” Coatsworth said.

  Framling persisted. “But who were they? I might have known your father.”

  David smiled and set off into his well-rehearsed patter. “My father was Alfred Lambert. The Lamberts from Winchester…”

  Framling cut in before he could say any more. “Never heard of him.” He looked David up and down and turned pointedly to Coatsworth. “You might like to see my new pair of bays,” he said. Lady Framling gave him a withering look.

  Lord Coatsworth talked horses for a little while, then smiled expansively at David. “So, I’ve a fight on my hands for the piquet title, have I?” The sympathy in his eyes made David uncomfortable. Coatsworth was that rare creature from the upper echelons of society, a decent man. He wouldn’t be visiting their rooms come Sunday, that was for sure. He looked at Framling’s p
inched, judgmental face and smiled to himself.

  They finished breakfast, and most of the guests disappeared. David went and stood by the window with his cup and saucer, sipping as he looked out over the rain lashed gardens as the last of the guests departed. He enjoyed the quiet for a few moments, then walked to the sideboard and placed the cup carefully. He was about to leave when Jeremy came in to clear the last of the dishes. They were alone for a moment.

  It was awkward. “How are you?” David asked after a moment.

  Jeremy looked at him with such aching want his chest hurt. “Fine. You?”

  “Fine.” David nodded and looked at the floor then back up.

  Jeremy’s breathing hitched, and he licked his lips. “Want to do it again?”

  David stared at his mouth.

  “I’m free at two o’clock for fifteen minutes. I could come to your room.”

  “I…”

  “Lovely waistcoat.” Jeremy’s hand darted out and briefly brushed the front of the silver waistcoat and David was hard as marble and barely able to breathe. The urge to tear his clothes of and taste him was…

  “Two.” He darted away leaving David staring after him.

  * * * *

  The grandfather clock in the hallway chimed two. David waited in his chamber. He refused to pace. He stood by the fireplace. The minutes ticked by. Slowly. He drummed his fingers. And waited. This would be the second of his rules gone. No bedding the staff, and no repeat performances. He needed to stop this. He needed to put it to one side and focus on the reason for him being there. Entangling himself was foolish in the extreme and messing about with a vulnerable lad was not only foolish, but cruel. The lad would become besotted, and he would…