Moonlight & Mechanicals Read Free Page B

the Order of the Round Table, the duke had the power, both political and magickal, to back up his aura of command. “We need you, lad. Buck up and do your duty and all of that.”
    “But—” At nearly thirty-one, Liam didn’t often think of himself as anyone’s lad. However, considering the duke had a son who was a good friend of Liam’s, and a bit older, Liam supposed Trowbridge was allowed the term. Liam looked from one determined face to the other, and let his tense shoulders relax. He was outmatched. “Of course I’ll be at her grace’s party tonight. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” So much for a nice quiet night in his own home, with a cigar and a good book. “I still don’t believe I’m the right man for the rest of it, though.”
    “You’re the son of an earl, my boy. That gives you entry into places none of my other officers can go.” Dugan gave Liam a stern glance. “I know you don’t like to tread on your family connections, but right now, we need them.”
    “Forgive me, sir, but what information is it you think I can provide that his grace and company cannot?” Yes, Liam was the barely-acknowledged younger son of an earl, but an Irish one, and a werewolf—hardly the cream of London society. Many of the Knights of the Roundtable, on the other hand, such as his grace, moved in the upper circles with the public in utter ignorance of their magickal activities.
    “Disaffected younger sons seem to be the primary target of a new organization that has come to our attention.” Dugan’s mutton-chops drooped and the bags beneath his eyes had luggage of their own. Something out of the ordinary weighed on his mind. The superintendent had taken Liam under his wing when Liam had first joined up, teaching him the job and about life. Hell, Jack Dugan had been more father to Liam than his own ever was, and it was nearly painful to see him look so fatigued. “The Order doesn’t have any of those in London at the moment, so you’re it. We want you to mingle as much as you can, see if you can get yourself drawn into whatever plot is afoot. So far, all we’ve heard is that they plan to make some kind of statement at an upcoming royal event.”
    “And when is Her Majesty’s next scheduled appearance?” Liam hoped they were talking about the Queen. If they had to account for all her cousins and offspring, it was liable to be a circus and a half. Liam didn’t even know how many people the term royal family encompassed. All the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of George III? More? The logistics of keeping track of all of them boggled the mind.
    “The Royal Ascot races,” Trowbridge said with a look of mild disappointment, as if Liam should have already known.
    “Of course.” Everyone in England knew about Ascot. The races were only a week or so away, and the royal family always made a big showing. Liam rather hated horse racing, so he hadn’t paid much attention to the schedule. “Would you like me to confer with the palace guard about security measures for the royal enclosure?”
    “That wouldn’t hurt.” Dugan nodded briefly. “We also expect you to be a guest in the enclosure for the duration of the event. Here are some of the others who will be present.” He handed Liam a sheet of paper. Several of the names were familiar—the duke, of course, and his wife and mother, the current and dowager duchesses. Trowbridge’s son and daughter-in-law, Lord and Lady Lake. Kendall Lake was also a Knight, so that was good. Sir Tom Devere and Sir Connor MacKay were also both members of the Order, though Liam hadn’t known they were interested in racing. It appeared the royal party would be well protected, even without Liam. Hell, even Winifred Hadrian and her mechanical dog were forces to be reckoned with. Liam had seen the young woman wield a sword and she was bloody damn good.
    Then Liam noted another pair of names and his eyebrows lifted. “Lord and Lady Bell? I didn’t know my father and