I may have pushed past a few of the petitioners in the Galleria to get closer to the Prince Regent. I was dressed in my finest clothes and even so I stood out like a sore thumb. "Your Majesty" I said in my most authoritative voice. "Im McGregor of the watch. I've urgent business concerning treason that may be a danger to your person."

The Prince regent eyed me speculatively. "I'll hear what you have to say." He snapped his fingers as he stood. Two guards fell into step with us as he led us into a private study just off the throne room. He entered the room in a swish of fine silk, gracefully taking a seat behind a commanding desk. "Now, tell me what this treason you speak of."

After I had told the whole of it, he leaned back in his chair whistling slowly.

You understand that nobody can ever know the truth?" The Prince Regent leaned back in his soft oversized leather chair. The room so silent that the only sounds were the creak of the leather and the soft crackle of the fire in the fireplace.

"Your Majesty? A Marquess is guilty of murder, rape... he forced a desperate man to murder one of your subjects! He hung for it! That's two murders if you ask me!" I tried unsuccessfully to contain my Scottish temper.

The Prince Regent steepled his long white fingers and arched a brow at my outburst. "What would you have me do? Hang a Marquess? No, this country is in enough turmoil. He will be stripped of all lands and exiled to the continent. I've settled quite the fortune on Percival's family. Even commissioned a bloody statue of the man." He rubbed his temples. "I'll quietly pay the family of John Bellingham, and the daughter..."

I stepped close to the desk. "She's ruined mon!" I seethed.

He flipped his hand dismissively. "How many women really come to the marriage bed a virgin. It's unimportant."

"I'll marry the lass." I blurted. I had always acted the gallant in my village, and now my temper has gotten me shackled to an English lass. But the words had been said, there would be no taking it back.

The Prince smiled. He may have just manipulated me into making that very declaration. "Of course I'll settle a dowry on the chit."

I bowed stiffly, "I'll be taking my leave of ye, yer Majesty. I'll wed the lass then take her home to Scotland."

The Prince shook his head, "No Ian, I need a man such as yourself. London is bursting at the seams with criminals. Murder and other unsavory acts occur each day. I need a man to ferret out the truth so justice can be dolled out." He took a deep breath. "What say you to a new position? I think it's high time London has a Police force, would you be my first commissioner?

I thought on it a moment, "Aye it sounds like just the job for me. That suits me fine your majesty. What of the particulars?" I questioned.

"How does five hundred pounds per year suit you?"

As a man who has lived his whole life on thirty pounds a year, that was bloody fine indeed! I could only nod my head I was so dumbfounded.

"To begin, one hundred officers of the law. They will need to be educated men of substance. Above reproach and fearless. Not the common street thugs masquerading as the king's justice." The Prince continued. Looking down his aristocratic nose at me almost as an afterthought he added, "No offense."

"None taken yer Majesty." I replied, my Scottish hackles rising at the veiled insult.

The Price continued. "My secretary can finalize the other details. Again my thanks in solving this most heinous crime,  sadly John Bellingham must remain the criminal in the public eye. You will keep this secret?" He questioned.

"Aye, even from his family?" I asked.

"Especially the family." The Prince said firmly.