Bedford Street Brigade 02 - Love Unbidden by Laura Landon Page A

rest of the Bedford Street investigators—Jack, Hugh, Briggs, and Roarke, and smiled. His new brother-in-law was with them.
    “If I haven’t done so before, I want to thank all of you for everything you did for me,” Henry Dunstan said.
    Mack spoke first. “I’m just glad things turned out the way they did.”
    “Things couldn’t be better. I still have my position at Paxton Import, and so does Phineas. Carter Paxton has turned out to be an exemplary employer, and manages the business as if he’d done it forever. Paxton Import seems to be turning an even larger profit than before. And by shipping legal goods.”
    “What about his father? How is Baron Paxton holding up?”
    “He’s doing well. He’s been ordered to remain in the country at Paxton Estate, but his son says he’s content. He realizes how lucky he is to have avoided gaol. Or worse.” Henry Dunston cast a glance at Quinn and Mack. “Mr. Paxton wanted me to tell you that he owes all of you, especially you, Mr. Wallace, and you, Quinn, a great deal for coming to his father’s defense.”
    “Tell him it was our pleasure,” Mack said.
    Quinn nodded his agreement.
    “But now we need to continue our celebration,” Henry said. “I will send another tray of drinks over. Enjoy yourselves. We truly have cause to celebrate.”
    “I’ll let you continue your celebration here,” Quinn said to his friends. “But I intend to find my bride and tell her again how lucky I am that she agreed to be my wife.”
    His friends let him leave amidst laughter and comments that he was totally besotted. Which he was.
    When he reached his bride, he looked into Nellie’s eyes. They were filled with love. He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. Then he kissed her again. “Are you happy?”
    “Happier than I ever thought I could be.”
    “Good,” Quinn answered. “That’s the way I intend to keep you. For the rest of our lives. Always and forever.”
     
     

CHAPTER 1
    Briggs Murdock jumped into the carriage when it stopped in front of Number 8 Newton Street. When he relaxed against the squabs, his Bedford Street mates, Hugh Baxter and Roarke Livingston, gave sharp whistles.
    “I know Mack said this was a formal dinner,” Roarke said with raised eyebrows, “but I doubt he intended we’d be dining with the Queen.”
    “Very funny.”
    Briggs pulled at the sleeves of his pristine white shirt beneath his black dress jacket, then adjusted his lapels to make sure they were straight. “Do either of you know what this command performance is about?” he asked when he was sure everything was perfect.
    “Quinn said it must be important because there will be more than the six of us there,” Hugh said.
    By Quinn he meant Quinn Walker. And by us he meant the men who made up the Bedford Street Brigade, an elite group of investigators. There were six of them: Mack Wallace —the mastermind behind the Brigade—Quinn Walker, Jack Conway, Hugh Baxter, Roarke Livingston, and himself.
    “How many more?” Briggs asked. “And who?”
    “I’m not sure, but Quinn overheard Mack say Viscount Palmerston and his wife would be there, along with Sir Richard Mayne and his wife, and several members of the House of Lords.”
    “Bloody hell,” Briggs said on growl. “Are you sure the Queen isn’t coming, too?”
    Roarke and Hugh laughed, then stopped.
    “What do you suppose this is about?” Briggs asked.
    “Jack thinks they’re looking us over,” Hugh said.
    “Why?” Briggs asked.
    Hugh leaned forward. “Rumor has it there are some problems in the police force and they’re trying to reform the department.”
    “What has that got to do with us?”
    “Jack said Mayne intends to let a number of his investigators go, and approached Mack to see about the Bedford Street Brigade investigators filling in. For a fee, of course.”
    Briggs lifted his brows. Being asked to assist the Metropolitan Police Department was quite a coup.
    He looked out the window and saw they’d