Page 27 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

Chapter Nine

Mia joined heraunt and uncle in a sunny breakfast room, wearing an ill-fitting gown that belonged to her aunt. It only struck her mid-calf due to the several inches she had on Aunt Fanny. The bodice was much too tight and her breasts threatened to spill from the dress so she’d been given what her aunt called a fichu. Aunt Fanny said the scarf could be draped over her shoulders and fastened in front or worn as Mia did today, using it to fill in the low neckline. None of her aunt’s dresses had even come close to fitting her properly. She was self-conscious wearing it because of how wrong it seemed, not only in size but in simply being in a dress for the first time since she could remember.

Aunt Fanny must have seen her discomfort and said, “I will go to a few modistes today and see which one will be suited toward creating a new wardrobe for you.”

Her aunt had already explained that Mia was to stay home while her aunt visited various dress makers, hoping to convince one of quality to come to the townhouse and take her niece’s measurements. Mia couldn’t be seen in public in either this gown or the shirt and trousers that she’d arrived in yesterday. Aunt Fanny had been so worried that the neighbors would see Mia and be scandalized that she’d wrapped Mia in a blanket from head to toe and had the driver drop them off in the back of the house so they could slip inside through the kitchen.

She saw her aunt frown. “You will need more than dresses, Mia, and many kinds of those in order to be properly outfitted for the upcoming Season and beyond. You need underclothes. Shoes. Bonnets. Gloves. It’s almost too much to think about.”

“Please don’t worry about the cost, Aunt Fanny. When I sign the contract from Mr. St. Clair and receive the funds for my steam engine, I will be able to pay for my new clothing.”

“Trentham tells me that the amount is quite large.” Pity filled her aunt’s eyes. “I’m sorry that will also have to serve as your dowry. The Foreign Service doesn’t pay much and poor Trentham has devoted so much of his life to it.”

“I would never expect you to provide a dowry for me,” Mia protested, keeping quiet about the fact that she would not be using the leftover money for a dowry. She didn’t intend to wed. The money she received from the St. Clair contract would go to fund her future research. It might also have to provide for her to rent a few rooms. When Aunt Fanny realized Mia had no interest in making a society match, she might ask her to leave the house.

“Speaking of the contract,” her uncle said, “my solicitor, Mr. Grant, is coming at ten o’clock this morning to speak to us regarding it.”

“That’s excellent news, Uncle. May I read over the contract before he arrives? Though Mr. St. Clair told me the gist of the content, I would like to familiarize myself with the language and specifics.”

“A splendid idea. A copy was provided to you. It’s in my study.”

“May I read it there?” she asked.

“Of course, dear girl. It’s sitting on top of the desk.”

Mia excused herself and went straight to the study. She sat in the chair behind her uncle’s desk and read the contract slowly and thoroughly. It covered everything Mr. St. Clair had said it would and the sum she was being paid was a princely one. She could live on it for years, if necessary, though she hoped her wish to remain unmarried did not alienate her from her aunt and uncle. They’d already been so good to her.

She blinked away the sudden tears that filled her eyes, which had come by the bucket as they traveled to London yesterday. Part of her cried for losing the life she’d once known, one of peace and introspection, filled with creativity. Part of her was relieved that her father had passed. He would not have wanted to continue to live in the fog that surrounded him. Selfishly, she also cried because Nelson had been left behind. She’d been so upset by the foul words from her cousin and his viper of a wife that she hadn’t thought to look for her cat as she left. She doubted the couple had any loving bones in their bodies and only hoped they wouldn’t find Nelson and be cruel to him. He did love to stay in the kitchen with Cook. Mia only hoped Cook would watch out for Nelson and keep him safe.

Her uncle entered the study with Mr. Grant a few minutes later. She greeted the solicitor, who looked like everyone’s favorite grandfather, with snow white hair and a twinkle in his eyes.

Once the three were settled in chairs, Mr. Grant said, “You must be a very clever and creative woman, Lady Mia. The St. Clairs are paying you a king’s ransom for this steam engine of yours. Do you know what they’ll use it for?”

“No, Mr. Grant. We didn’t discuss that. However, Mr. St. Clair did mention that he would like to offer me another contract.”

“Oh, you have another invention for him to buy?” her uncle asked.

She needed to tread lightly here and wanted to do so out of her aunt’s hearing.

“No, Uncle. This would be for me to work with those who will see my design produced. Mr. St. Clair wanted a few more tests run on it to make sure the engine does what I told him it did. He would also like me to help oversee the production and remedy any problems that might arise.”

“I see.” Uncle Trentham steepled his fingers. “How long would this contract run?”

“He mentioned three years. I’m sure that could be adjusted. He also wanted to review other designs of mine. There’s a strong possibility he may buy more ideas and machines from me.”

Mr. Grant looked delighted by her news. Uncle Trentham grew thoughtful and didn’t speak for a good minute.

Finally, he said, “Is this what you want, Mia? To continue your father’s work?”

“I do, Uncle,” she said firmly. “At this point, it is my work alone. Father wasn’t in a position to do much for several years.”

He shook his head. “I don’t know how you did it, Mia. Care for your papa and still complete all the work you did. You are a remarkable woman.”

She glowed with pride at the compliment. “Thank you for saying so.”

He cleared his throat. “It’s going to cause trouble with Fanny. She won’t like it one bit, you dirtying your hands in business.” He smiled. “You’ll leave her to me. I’ll see you may do as you choose.”

She sprang to her feet with joy. “Oh, thank you, Uncle Trentham. Thank you.” She hugged his neck and kissed his cheek. “You don’t know what this means to me.”

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