Page 25 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

“Thank you, Mr. Davidson. I will review both contracts sometime this afternoon. Right now, I need to get to Surrey and speak to Viscount Morrison.”

“Take care, Mr. St. Clair,” the solicitor said with concern.

“I will.”

For the second time in two days, he instructed his driver that Morris Park would be their destination. He climbed into the carriage, knowing it would take about two hours to reach the estate. For the life of him, he couldn’t put two thoughts together during the journey. Normally, he was the most rational of men and his thoughts were easy to organize. He suspected he was having trouble doing so because of Mia Sloane. Something about her had struck a chord within him and he couldn’t seem to get her out of his mind. It infuriated him that Morrison had put a halt to moving her devices to London simply because he could.

By the time they arrived in the nearby village, he had no argument planned. No strategy for what he would say to the viscount. It bothered him that he was going into a meeting with so little control.

Then they reached the turnoff for Morris Park. Immediately, he smelled something horrible. A burning smell, but what was on fire, he couldn’t say. The carriage pulled into the front drive and as he got out, he saw a cloud of billowing smoke about half a mile away. Confused, he went to the front door and presented his card to George, the former valet, who now opened the door. He wondered if the servant would have a job or not with Horatio Sloane as the new viscount. Or if George would even want to work in the Morrison household if given the opportunity.

“I’d like to see Lord Morrison, George.”

“I’m sorry, my lord. I mean, Mr. St. Clair. I mean... please, sir. Come in.”

As the flustered valet closed the door, Hudson asked, “What in tarnation is burning?”

The servant nose curled in disdain. “Lady Mia’s inventions.”

Fury struck him like a bolt of lightning. “He had them burned?”

“Yes, Mr. St. Clair. Every last one. It would have killed her. At least some of them made it off in the wagons you sent. Her notebooks, too. She prizes them highly.” George paused. “At least she didn’t have to stay and see it come to this.”

So, Mia had already left for London with the Trenthams. “When did she leave?”

“Lord and Lady Trentham took her away around noon or so yesterday.” A hard look crossed the valet’s face as his brow furrowed.

“What happened?”

George sighed, sadly shaking his head. “We all heard. The new viscount and viscountess made no secret of how they felt. Lady Mia and the Trenthams were ordered off the property. Ugly things were said, Mr. St. Clair. So ugly I can’t repeat them.”

“She wasn’t hurt?” he asked, worried that Morrison or his wife had struck Mia.

“Not physically, no, sir. But what they said about her and her papa?” He clucked his tongue. “It cut her to the quick. That—and not letting her take anything.”

Hudson frowned. “What did she want to take beyond her devices?”

“Everything that was hers,” George said simply. “She was made to leave with only the clothes on her back. She wanted her mama’s locket. It was hers. But his lordship wouldn’t even let her have that. Lady Mia held her head high and left here with more grace and courage than you can imagine.”

What he learned shocked Hudson. How could Morrison have been so cruel? Yet he knew the man was a weasel who had put on a show for his wife. For all Hudson knew, Lady Hortense had egged her husband on, knowing her to be vindictive and spiteful. To think that Mia left with only the clothes she wore was unthinkable. His fury cooled to a cold, hard rage. He would see that Lord and Lady Morrison were paid back a thousandfold for their actions and words. He saw no point in confronting them now. They would merely say it was in their power to do and see fit with what happened on their property. Turning Mia out was probably the best thing that could have happened to her. If she’d been forced to stay and live under this roof with such cruelty, it might have broken her quickly. Being with her aunt and uncle would prove to be her salvation.

No matter what, though, Hudson would make the couple pay. It might take him months—even years—before he could devise the best way to make them suffer the most but he would see that they were punished in an appropriate manner.

“George, will you remain here?” he asked spontaneously.

“Cook walked out this morning. She was ready to retire and only hanging on until Lord Morrison passed. She’s gone to her sister in Sussex. The maid told me today is her last day. The squire who bought the two horses last week has agreed to take her on.” He looked to the heavens, rolling his eyes. “I have nowhere to go. I don’t know if his lordship will want me to remain at Morris Park or not. He and Lady Morrison left Morris Park, not a quarter of an hour ago. I’m surprised you didn’t see their carriage since they were headed back to London. I received no instructions. I feel adrift, to be honest.”

Hudson’s heart went out to this loyal retainer. “I can’t guarantee you a position as a valet, George, but I have a very large family. There are also offices and a warehouse in London. We have interests in shipping. I know we could find you work somewhere. Perhaps even assisting Lady Mia as she conducts her experiments.”

Tears formed in the servant’s eyes. “Are you certain, Mr. St. Clair? I... it would mean the world to me. Anywhere but here.”

“Go and quickly pack your things,” he suggested. “You can return to London with me.”

“I have very little, sir. I can be outside in five minutes.” With that, the valet scurried off, his footsteps echoing in the empty house.

Knowing the Morrisons had already departed the property, he was tempted to go in search of Lady Mia’s locket since the piece belonged to her. It was heartless for the viscount to keep it from her. Hudson would like to see it restored to its rightful owner. The trouble was, he had no idea where to look for the locket. Worse, if Lord Morrison ever discovered what Hudson had done, he could be branded a thief. He couldn’t risk bringing dishonor to his family and pushed aside the regrets he had for Lady Mia’s loss.

Hudson opened the front door and shut it behind him. The sharp winter wind bit into him as he started toward the coach. Then a mournful yowl sounded and a flash of orange bounded toward him.

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