Page 28 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

“I have some idea, my dear. However, you must help me with Fanny. She wants to launch you into society. I know that’s not your priority but it will make her happy. Fanny misses her sister dreadfully, even after all these years, and felt she let her down in regard to your upbringing. Give her this one Season. Go to the parties. Make a few friends. See what life is like beyond the walls of your work. If you wish to wed, you may do so.”

“I doubt I could find a man who would agree to allow me to continue my work.”

“You’re right. If you do, though, marry him—for he will be a good man who sees more than your beauty. He will know what lies underneath it.”

Mia looked to Mr. Grant. “Mr. St. Clair should contact me soon regarding this other matter. What must I do now to make things official with the contract in hand?”

“I will contact Mr. Davidson. He is the one who prepared it. I will let you know which office we will meet in for both parties to sign since you are agreeable. You’re certain you wish for no changes to be made in the language or terms?”

“No, not a one. I’m very comfortable with the way it is worded. Unless you have an idea of something which should be included?”

“I think it’s a solid piece.” His eyes sparkled. “If I were you, I’d sign it without hesitation.”

They ended the meeting, with her uncle asking Mr. Grant to accompany him to his club for luncheon. The men left and Mia remained in the study. She took out pen and paper and started making notes on the ways she could test her model engine. Then an idea came for a new project and she dashed it off, too. She decided she would need to go to a stationer’s shop in order to purchase new notebooks for recording everything. She found it much more efficient to have her observations and ideas in a bound volume instead of written on scattered pages that could easily get out of order or lost.

She left the study, wanting to find the butler and ask if someone could go to the stationer’s for her since she couldn’t leave the house dressed as she was. As she moved down the hallway, the butler appeared around the corner.

“I have a question, Soames.”

She explained what she needed and the butler said he would take care of it at once.

“You should have your notebooks within the hour, Lady Mia. I’ll send a footman now.”

“Thank you so much, Soames.”

“My lady, I was coming to find you. You have a guest. A Mr. St. Clair. He is in the small parlor downstairs.”

“Oh, that’s marvelous news.”

“Lady Mia, I only came to inform you he is here. You shouldn’t see him.”

His words puzzled her. “Why not?”

The butler frowned. “Neither Lord nor Lady Trentham are home.”

“You said he came to seeme,” she insisted. “Why would that matter?”

Now, the butler looked uncomfortable. “Perhaps things were different in the country, my lady, but a young, unmarried woman does not entertain a gentleman by herself. I am merely making you aware of his call and can give you time to pen a message to him. He did, however, bring—”

“Pish-posh, Soames. I have business with Mr. St. Clair. It cannot wait.”

She hurried past the servant. Her aunt had spent several hours last night telling Mia about the Season and what was expected. How important it was to follow the rules. Her ears had hurt after Aunt Fanny got past two dozen of them and she’d tuned her out for the rest. She saw no reason she couldn’t speak to Mr. St. Clair alone. It wasn’t as if he’d gobble her up and spit her out or spirit her away to Gretna Green. Aunt Fanny had warned Mia especially about being alone with a man because he might take advantage of her. She was never to put herself in that circumstance because two things might occur. One, she might be compromised if a man kissed her, forcing them to wed. Two, she might be carried off in a carriage to Scotland—to Gretna Green—and be forced to wed there.

Neither of those applied in this situation. Mr. St. Clair wasn’t going to kiss her. He certainly wasn’t going to abduct her and force her into marriage. On the contrary, he viewed her as a business partner. Their relationship was one of mutual regard involving her inventions. He needed her here, in London, with them. If she wed and was forced to stay home, he could make no profit.

Of course, that didn’t mean her heart wasn’t pounding in anticipation of seeing him again. He was certainly a good-looking man. So tall and dark and built as if he were sturdy as a Roman wall. She swallowed nervously, hoping she would be able to carry on a reasonable conversation with him. They could talk about the contract, for one thing, and she could ask him if he were still interested in signing a second agreement regarding her services.

Mia entered the parlor and saw him sitting in a chair. Instead of looking at him, though, her eyes flew to the furry orange circle in his lap.

“Nelson!” she cried happily.

Her cat’s head popped up and he meowed loudly before jumping down and scrambling to her. She bent and swept him up, kissing the top of his head, tears spilling down her face.

“I thought I’d lost you forever.”

After numerous kisses to the top of Nelson’s head, he began wiggling and she knew he’d had his fill of attention. She leaned down and released him.

By now, Mr. St. Clair had risen. Mia hurried to him. Without thinking, she enthusiastically threw her arms about him.

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