Bedford Street Brigade 01 - Where the Lady Belongs Read online

  Other Titles by Laura Landon

  More Than Willing

  Shattered Dreams

  When Love Is Enough

  Broken Promise

  A Matter of Choice

  Not Mine to Give

  The Most to Lose

  Intimate Deception

  Silent Revenge

  Intimate Surrender

  Where the Lady Belongs

  Laura Landon

  A Bedford Street Brigade Story

  The characters and events portrayed in this work are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Text copyright © 2013 Laura Landon All rights reserved.

  No part of this work may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  Published by StoryFront, Seattle www.apub.com

  eISBN: 9781477867907

  Cover design by Inkd

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Mack Wallace studied the massive crowd gathered inside the room in the Crystal Palace that housed the Koh-i-Noor diamond, the largest diamond in the world. No wonder a correspondent of the Times reputed the diamond to be the lion of The Great Exhibition of 1851. No wonder the Exhibition committee had taken such precautions to make sure nothing happened to the diamond.

  It was Mack’s responsibility to protect the exhibit, which turned out to be a more difficult job than he thought it would. The crowds were enormous. Even the policemen posted at the entrance and exit of the cordoned-off area that housed the display had trouble holding back the multitude of spectators anxious to see a diamond of such enormity.

  Today’s crowd seemed by far the largest, the most difficult to control of all the crowds pushing to see the exhibit. Perhaps it was because The Great Exhibition only had four more days to run. Perhaps because today’s weather had been perfect for an outing. Perhaps simply because Mack had been at this for more than five months, and constant worry and fatigue were wearing on him. He would be glad when this duty was over.

  He scanned the crowd again. The room was not only overflowing with visitors anxious to boast that they’d seen the world’s largest diamond, but every local and foreign dignitary in the world seemed to be in attendance. Anyone who held a position of importance was here to see the exhibits before the last day.

  Mack recognized Lord John Russell, the Prime Minister, and the Marquess of Lansdowne, Leader of the House of Lords. He also recognized the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Palmerston, and Home Secretary Sir George Grey.

  Mack didn’t want to count how many foreign dignitaries were also in the gathering. The responsibility of having so many important persons gathered in one area caused him to intensify his guard. The growing number of spectators streaming into the area caused even more concern.

  Mack searched for his partner, Quinn Walker. When he found him, he motioned for him to make his way to the opposite side of the exhibit. He and Quinn had been investigators with Scotland Yard for several years and had then gone their separate ways, finding jobs on the side that earned them more than enough money to live well.

  Thankfully, Mack and the five other investigators who’d left the force at the same time had reputations for being the best at what they did. They’d made an excellent team while at Scotland Yard. On days like today, Mack wished they were all here to help him guard the diamond.

  Quinn caught Mack’s eye and gave a nod of understanding. Before he’d taken his first step, a shot rang out from somewhere near the diamond.

  All hell broke loose.

  Scores of men and women pushed and shoved their way toward the exits. Screams filled the air, while genuine terror and confusion erupted throughout the room. Mack’s greatest fear was that some would be trampled in the fracas. He fought the urge to rush forward, but he couldn’t leave the diamond. That was his primary responsibility.

  People farthest from the doors shoved those in front of them. The stronger of the crowd pushed those ahead of them to move faster.

  “Calm!” Mack bellowed. “Everyone remain calm!”

  Quinn rushed forward. He reached for an arm here and a shoulder there in an effort to try to slow the rioting crowd. Although the crush seemed to slacken, Mack couldn’t say so with any certainty. Finally, the waves of people thinned.

  Mack held his post at the diamond as the remaining spectators poured through the exits. Blood pounded inside his head as he realized that an attempt to steal the diamond had been thwarted.

  He took another look at the diamond encased in the special display and breathed a sigh of relief. Then he turned his gaze to watch the last rush of people exit the room.

  That’s when he saw her.

  A young woman stood near the exit. Her auburn hair was pulled loosely back from her face, and she wore a large brimmed bonnet with streamers of netting tied beneath her chin.

  Her gown was green and white checked, with full sleeves and an eyelet bodice and high neckline. Her wide skirt made her waist appear small and delicate. She looked clean and fresh, and the blush of excitement on her cheeks gave her a wholesome and healthy look. Her hands twisting at her waist, and her deep brown eyes, open wide and filled with terror, took away the look of contentment he expected to see on someone so lovely.

  Their gazes locked. She took a tentative step toward him, as if she wanted to reach out to him. As if she had something she wanted to share with him. But before he could call out to her, she turned and ran.

  “Quinn!”

  Within seconds Quinn was at his side, but it was too late to go after her. She was gone.

  He turned again to check the diamond and then looked at Quinn.

  “What the bloody hell just happened?” Quinn said, keeping his eyes on the few people still in the room.

  Mack shook his head. “I don’t know. Did you see anything?”

  “No.”

  The crowd was almost gone now. All that remained were several of the cabinet members Mack had spotted earlier. They stood in a small circle, with gazes lowered. When they shifted from where they stood, Mack saw what they were looking at.

  A man’s prone body lay on the ground, a pool of blood seeping into the boards that made up the floor.

  Several men knelt at the man’s side, attempting to help him. But from the dour expressions on their faces, it was too late for help.

  Mack immediately searched the group for the Prime Minister, praying he wasn’t the victim. The relief he felt when he realized the Prime Minister was unharmed caused a breath to rush from his body.

  “Stay here,” he ordered Quinn. Mack ran across the area to send every available policeman to help Quinn guard the diamond. When he was assured the diamond would be safe, he went to where the dead man lay on the ground.

  “Who is he?” he asked, kneeling beside the body.

  “His name is Robert Wells. He’s my Undersecretary.”

  Mack looked at the man who’d given the information and recognized Sir George Grey, the Home Secretary.

  Mack stood. “Did any of you see who fired the shot?”

  All shook their heads.

  “The shot came from behind us,” one of the men volunteered.

  Before Mack cou
ld ask more questions, several Exhibition commissioners rushed into the room. The frantic expressions on their faces left no doubt as to their concern.

  “What happened here, Mr. Wallace?” several demanded.

  It was obvious they considered the mishap his responsibility. Deep in his gut, Mack thought that it was, too. He’d been hired to keep the diamond safe. The fact that a man had been killed during what was more than likely a robbery attempt made the murder his responsibility.

  Mack turned to the commissioners. “The victim, Mr. Robert Wells, was shot and killed in what was either a robbery attempt, or an assassination attempt.”

  “Surely you don’t believe the killing was intentional,” Mr. Henry Cole, one of the Exhibition commissioners, said.

  Mack looked at the lineup of government officials standing there, including the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, the Foreign Secretary, and the Leader of the House of Lords, and knew nothing was out of the realm of possibilities. “I don’t have enough information to make an assessment. Until I do, I refuse to speculate as to the motive.”

  There was a moment of silence, then Prime Minister Russell, stepped forward. “Can we rely on you to find adequate security for the Koh-i-Noor until the Exhibition ends?” he asked, pointing toward the diamond. “I am charging you to discover who attempted to steal the diamond or assassinate one of us.”

  “You can,” Mack answered.

  “Very good,” Lord Russell answered. “Do it. And keep me posted.”

  Mack nodded.

  The dignitaries waited until the authorities came for the body. When they left, Mack stood alone with Quinn. Only the Koh-i-Noor diamond separated them.

  “Four more days,” Quinn sighed. “The Great Exhibition closes on Saturday. We couldn’t have made it four more days without disaster striking?”

  “Guess it wasn’t in the cards,” Mack answered. “Now we either find our killer, or go down as failures.”

  “You’re full of all kinds of good cheer, aren’t you, Mack?”

  “I don’t see too much to be happy about. A man is dead, and we don’t know why.”

  Mack was silent for a moment, then said, “Round up Hugh, Jack, Briggs, and Roarke, and bring them here. We’ll need their help.”

  Quinn nodded, then left. Less than an hour later, he returned with the four former investigators in tow. They made a rotating schedule to guard the exhibit for the next four days, then Mack walked to the door. “Briggs and Roarke, you two stay the night. And keep a sharp lookout. The rest of you, stay until the Exhibition closes in a few hours, then stop by my Bedford Street house. We’ve got a lot to figure out and not much time to do it. The longer our killer is on the loose, the less chance we have of finding him.”

  Then Mack left the area. The diamond would be safe. He didn’t doubt it. Every man there had proved over and over that he was an expert in every aspect of security. But this was different. This was a crime. One with no motive. No evidence. And more than a hundred witnesses—none of whom saw anything. Except the woman in the green-and-white-checked gown. Instinct told him she saw something but wasn’t brave enough to speak with him.

  Mack hailed a hack, which took him to 33 Bedford Street, and dismounted when he reached his home address. During the ride he thought of nothing except how he might find this mysterious woman.

  Every detail of how she looked refused to leave his memory. Her features became more defined. The color of her hair and eyes. Her narrow waist and full bodice. Her elegant bonnet with yards of netting tied beneath her chin. If only he had a name to go with her face. If only he had one clue as to who she was and where he could find her.

  He made his way up the front steps that led to his modest yet elegant house. His butler, Harper, opened the door before he reached for the knob.

  “Good evening, sir.”

  “Good evening, Harper. Would you ask Cook to fix a late supper? There will be three extra guests.”

  “Of course, sir. And you have a guest,” Harper announced before Mack could walk away from him.

  “A guest?”

  “Yes, sir. She’s in the parlor.”

  “She?”

  “Yes, a young lady. And she seems quite upset. I’ve sent for tea. It should arrive shortly.”

  “Thank you, Harper.”

  Mack crossed the foyer in long strides, anxious to see who this guest might be. He could only hope.

  He hesitated a moment as he reached the door, then opened it. What he noticed first was the green-and-white-checked gown.

  The bonnet was gone. Harper had undoubtedly asked for it when she arrived. But everything else about her was as he remembered. Thick auburn hair loosely framed her face, and her deep, deep brown eyes were still filled with fear. She was as he’d pictured her before, except up close she was far prettier than he’d realized from a distance in the Exhibition. Her complexion was clear and creamy, her lips full, and her cheekbones high and noble. And for the first time in his life, Mack Wallace was completely taken aback by a woman’s beauty.

  “Mr. Wallace?” Her voice wrapped around him like a warm blanket on a cold night.

  “Yes. And you are?”

  “Miss Cora Lane. We saw each other at the exhibit.”

  “Yes.” He stepped into the room. “Are you all right?”

  She hesitated before she spoke. “Yes, but I’m frightened.”

  Mack walked across the room until he stood close enough to see the golden flecks in her eyes. “What are you afraid of?” he asked.

  “I saw the man who fired the gun into the crowd. I can recognize him.”

  “I see,” Mack answered. “And does this man know that you saw him?”

  Cora Lane nodded sharply. “He turned after he fired the gun, and we collided. I got a very good look at him before he ran from the exhibit.”

  “I see.”

  The only outward sign that indicated Cora Lane was frightened came from the twisting of her hands as she clamped them in front of her.

  “Won’t you please sit?” he said. “Tea will arrive shortly.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t stay. I must get home.”

  “Do you have a family there?”

  “Yes, my sister and her husband, and their two children.”

  There was a soft rap on the door and Harper entered, followed by a maid carrying a tea tray. Their arrival gave Mack the opportunity to think about his words. To formulate a plan.

  He walked across the room and looked out the window while the maid set the tray down and poured Miss Lane a cup. When Harper and the maid left the room, Mack turned to face his guest. “Please sit,” he said again.

  “I can’t. I really need to get home.”

  “I’m afraid that’s not possible, Miss Lane. You won’t be safe at home. Nor will your family be safe with you there.” Cora Lane’s eyes opened wide. “I’m afraid you’ll have to stay here, Miss Lane. It’s the only place you’ll be safe.”

  Chapter Two

  Cora’s legs buckled beneath her. Luckily, Mack Wallace was there to wrap an arm around her. His touch was strong, protective, and caused a torrent of molten turmoil to rush to the core of her body. When she was steady, he led her to a chair.

  He expected her to stay with him, in his house. Alone.

  “Here, drink this.” He handed her a cup of tea.

  Cora brought the tea to her mouth and took a sip. “I can’t possibly stay here, Mr. Wallace. It would be highly improper.”

  “I can’t protect you if you don’t, Miss Lane.”

  She shook her head. “Perhaps I don’t need protection. Perhaps the man who fired the gun has left the city.”

  Her protector sat back in his chair and rested the ankle of one leg atop the knee of his other. He was a large man, his sinewy form impressive. His commanding presence dominated the room, just as it had at the Exhibition.

  “The gunman hasn’t left the city, Miss Lane.”

  “How do you know that?”

  He looked at
her and smiled. The change in his appearance was startling.

  She hadn’t considered him overly handsome on their first meeting, but that was before he smiled. Then, his features had seemed hard, as if chiseled from granite. He was dark in a brooding way, with high cheekbones and a square jaw. His eyes were dark and hooded beneath thick brows. And when he looked at her, Cora had the impression he saw much more than an ordinary person saw.

  There was a rigidness to his demeanor, as if the weight of his job didn’t leave room to relax. As if his responsibilities were so daunting that there wasn’t time to enjoy life. But when he smiled, his appearance changed. Her heart shifted in her breast.

  But as quickly as the smile softened his features, it faded, and Cora again faced his unyielding exterior.

  “I know the gunman hasn’t left the city, because he didn’t achieve his purpose. A man doesn’t take the risks this man took only to admit defeat after the first attempt.”

  “I see.” Cora lowered her cup of tea to her lap. Her hands suddenly shook too hard to hold it steady.

  “He also knows that you can identify him.”

  The level of fear inside her rose to an alarming pitch. “But the man doesn’t know my name.”

  “Not yet. But do you want to live the remainder of your life in fear that he’ll see you again and recognize you? And that when he does, you might be with your sister, or her children? And that something might happen to them?”

  Fear engulfed her. She couldn’t let anything happen to her sister Bridgette, or Stewart, Lord Preston. Or the children, little Annie and Benjamin.

  “As of now, you can’t even be assured that you weren’t followed here, and that the man we’re searching for isn’t hiding outside waiting for you to leave.”

  Cora placed her cup and saucer on a nearby table, then rose and walked away from Mr. Wallace. She stopped when she reached the window that overlooked the street at the front of the house. “I’m frightened enough, Mr. Wallace, without you adding to my fears.”

  “My purpose isn’t to frighten you more, Miss Lane,” he said in a voice that sounded strangely comforting, “but to point out the necessity of remaining here where you can be protected.”