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

reached Mack’s house. “Well, I guess we’ll find out soon enough. We’re here now.”
    “Time to put on your charm, Briggs,” Hugh teased.
    “No problem with that,” Briggs said flashing him his brightest grin. “You’re the one who’ll have to hunt up a smile. You haven’t used one for so long I doubt you know where you last put it.”
    Hugh gave Briggs a friendly shove, then reached for the door the minute the carriage stopped. “Not all of us can be as suave and charming as you,” Hugh said before he jumped to the ground.
    “Well, if either of you have problems in the charm department,” he said returning Hugh’s nudge, “just follow my lead.”
    Roarke bellowed a hearty laugh as they made their way up the short steps that led to Mack Wallace’s house.
    Mack met them at the door and they followed him inside.
    The room was crowded, but not overly so. Not so crowded that Briggs didn’t notice a number of important guests in attendance. He was even more impressed when Mack took the three of them around the room and introduced them to several of the men.
    That’s when he saw her.
    She stood on the other side of the room in a circle of women who had no doubt accompanied their husbands. Except Briggs couldn’t imagine who she might have come with. There wasn’t another man here young enough to be her husband.
    When he could separate himself from Mack, he stepped where he wouldn’t be noticed. He watched her for several long moments, taking in every detail about her.
    She was beautiful. She wasn’t short, nor was she tall. She was…perfect.
    She wore a gown of the most remarkable emerald green. The neckline left her creamy shoulders bare, then dipped low enough to cause his blood to heat. Enough to cause a stirring inside him he’d never felt before.
    Bloody hell, what was wrong with him? He was acting like this was the first time he’d ever seen a beautiful woman.
    He let his gaze travel back to her face. To her high cheekbones and creamy complexion. To her lush lips and upturned nose. Then higher still, to the most glorious golden blonde hair he’d ever seen.
    She wore her hair pulled loosely back from her heart-shaped face. Several gilt locks framed her lovely cheeks, while dozens of emerald green, ribbon-laced curls hung down her back.
    But it wasn’t her golden hair, or her delicate features, or even her pert, upturned nose that caught his attention. It was the glow in her beautiful blue eyes that captured him. Held him. Mesmerized him.
    Her eyes were the most vibrant midnight blue he’d ever seen. They sparkled with life when she spoke. They bubbled with happiness when she laughed. The whole room seemed brighter just because she was in it.
    Briggs tried to look away, but he found himself reluctant to tear his gaze away from her. He couldn’t seem to break the hold she had on him.
    He realized he was acting like a fool, but he couldn’t help himself. He’d never seen anyone like her. Never cast eyes on anyone so lovely.
    As if someone announced that he was watching her, she turned her head and looked at him.
    The corners of her lush lips turned upward, then she graced him with the most magnificent smile he’d ever seen.
    He returned her smile, then felt his heart soar when a delicate blush darkened her cheeks. In less than an instant she’d captured his heart and held it in her safekeeping.
    With a demure smile, she lowered her gaze. The spell was broken but that didn’t erase the mark she’d left on him.
    Briggs scanned the room again, wondering which lucky man she belonged to.
    “She’s quite a beauty, isn’t she?”
    Briggs turned to find Cora Wallace standing next to him.
    Cora was Mack Wallace’s wife. Protecting her had been the reason the six investigators had originally worked together. Forming the Bedford Street Brigade had been her—and Mack’s—idea. Cora was special to each of the Brigadesmen.
    “Yes, she is.” Briggs looked back to where the girl stood. She’d