Free Bedford Street Brigade 01 - Where the Lady Belongs by Laura Landon Page A

peach pie and put them on a plate. Peach pie was Quinn’s favorite. Then she set several strawberry-filled pastries on a plate. These were Jack’s favorite. Roarke’s favorite was coconut cake. She put a gigantic piece of cake on a plate and added it to the collection. And finally, she brought over a large bowl of sweetened rice pudding topped with plump raisins, melted butter, and cinnamon. This was Briggs’s favorite.
    When everything was arranged, she sent the dishes in with the staff. She led the way to make sure each man got the correct dessert.
    The two had entertained Mack’s friends several times since she and Mack were married nearly three months earlier, but tonight’s dinner was special. Tonight, Mack had a venture he wanted to introduce to his friends. A venture that would make them business partners.
    “And now,” Cora announced when she reached the dining room, “it’s time for dessert. For Quinn we have peach pie. For Hugh we have blueberry cobbler. For Jack, a half dozen strawberry-filled pastries. For Roarke, a quarter of a coconut cake. And for Briggs, a large bowl of sweetened rice pudding with raisins, melted butter, and cinnamon.”
    The men rose from their chairs and gave Cora a rousing round of applause, then made several teasing remarks about Mack’s thickening waist. Although that wasn’t true. For some reason Cora didn’t understand, Mack’s waist didn’t seem to be affected by the amount of desserts he ate.
    “You have outdone yourself tonight, Cora,” Quinn said. “Is there a special announcement you and your husband invited us to hear?”
    Cora’s cheeks warmed because it was too early to make the announcement Quinn was hinting at. And if she was carrying Mack’s child as she assumed she was, she wanted to tell Mack privately before she announced it to his friends.
    “Yes, there is an announcement, but it’s nothing that involves me. My husband, however, has an announcement to make.”
    “Oh, this must be serious, fellows. Mrs. Wallace is a conspirator and has provided our favorite desserts to sweeten us up for the kill.”
    Serious expressions covered the five men’s faces, and they laid their forks down. “Very well, Mack,” Quinn said as spokesman for the group. “Let’s hear this grand announcement.”
    Mack looked at her, and Cora smiled. But she was nervous. What if none of the men saw merit in Mack’s idea? What if this wasn’t a venture they thought would work?
    Cora clasped her fingers tight but kept her gaze focused on her husband.
    Mack sat forward in his chair and rested his forearms on the table. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I have something I’d like to propose to you.”
    The men sat forward in their chairs and showed interest.
    “We’ve lived through many changes since the Bow Street group was disbanded several years ago. The Metropolitan Police has taken over and formed a Detective Department, but that crew is small and inexperienced.”
    “What are you saying, Mack?” Jack asked.
    “There are a lot of cases out there that need to be solved, and a lot of victims and families of victims willing to pay to find out who committed crimes against them. But you know—as do I—that each one of us is limited as to what he can accomplish working independently. I’d like to form a group similar to the Bow Street group. And I’d like you to join me.”
    Silence.
    “I don’t expect an answer right away,” Mack said when no one spoke, “but I’d at least like you to consider the advantages of working as a group.”
    Cora watched as the shocked expressions turned to smiles.
    “I don’t believe this,” Quinn said, leaning back in his chair and laughing. “I’ve dreamed that you’d come up with this plan, Mack. You’re the only one with the ingenuity and organizational skills to lead us. I’m in! I definitely want to be included.”
    “As do I,” Jack voiced.
    “And me,” Briggs said.
    “Me, too,” Hugh said.
    “Well,