Bedford Street Brigade 02 - Love Unbidden Read Online Free Page A

right. His footsteps quickened as he thought of taking care of business with Dunston, so he could see Nellie again.
     
     

CHAPTER 3
    Nellie had helped Eileen pack all day so she and the boys were ready to leave first thing in the morning. It would be good for Eileen to get away from London. Good for her to spend time w ith their mother and father. Good for her to be ignorant of the evidence piling up against Henry.
    At least Quinn Walker would help them. It was a great relief to know that he would lead the investigation.
    Nellie checked the street at the front of the house for the tenth time in the last hour. When Quinn had come earlier in the day, he said he’d stop by before he went home to make sure everything was all right. It was already past seven o’clock, and he wasn’t here yet. She couldn’t help but think that meant things hadn’t gone well.
    She checked the window again and saw him, and ran to the front door to let him in.
    “I know it’s late, but may I come in?”
    “Of course.” Nellie closed the door behind Quinn, then took his hat and gloves. “Have you eaten?”
    “No, but—”
    “I saved a plate for you. It’s been near the oven so everything should still be warm. Come.”
    Nellie led the way to the kitchen, then brought the plate she’d covered and saved for him. She placed it in front of him, then got two glasses of cool lemonade. She set one in front of him, then took the glass she’d poured for herself and sat across from him.
    He placed a forkful of food into his mouth before he spoke. “Has your sister retired for the night?”
    “She took the boys up a little while ago. She wanted them to have a good night’s rest for the trip tomorrow. And she seemed very tired. Today was a difficult day. We went to the prison to see Henry, but they wouldn’t let us talk to him.”
    “I was afraid of that.” Quinn lifted his gaze and looked at her. “What about you? How are you holding up?”
    Nellie smiled. “I’m fine, thanks to you. I don’t know what we’d do if you hadn’t offered to help. Have you discovered anything yet?”
    Quinn shook his head. “But it’s early. We’ve just begun.”
    “Were you able to speak with Henry?”
    “Quinn nodded.
    “Was he of any help to you?”
    “He doesn’t know anything.”
    “And you believe him?”
    Nellie waited while Quinn finished chewing the food he had in his mouth. When he was done, he looked up.
    “Yes, I believe him. I don’t think your brother-in-law had anything to do with the money they found.”
    Nellie couldn’t help it. The relief she felt was immense. She tried to smile, but her eyes filled with tears, and Quinn’s handsome face swam before her.
    “Ah, lass.” He placed his hand over hers and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “Everything will be all right. You’ll see.”
    “I know it will. It’s just that I’m so worried. I don’t know what Eileen will do if something happens to Henry. They love each other so much.”
    “I know,” Quinn answered softly. “That’s all I heard when I spoke with your brother-in-law. He wasn’t at all concerned about himself. He was only worried about your sister. How she was holding up, and if you were with her.”
    “Did you tell him that Eileen was going to the country?”
    Quinn nodded. “He was relieved that she was going to her mother and father’s. He said that being with family was the best place for her.”
    Nellie nodded. She’d grown up with a large family and knew better than most how important family was. “Do you have brothers and sisters?”
    Quinn smiled and two deep creases formed on either side of his mouth. They made him look even more handsome, if that was possible.
    “I have four sisters and five brothers. My mum said that she spent most of her life cooking and changing nappies. But, nothing makes her happier than having her family around her. Now, she sits in her rocker and dandles a grandbaby on each knee while her daughters and