Page 34 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

Hudson pondered his brother’s words. He could buy his own estate. It would never be Meadowbrook, though. What would it be like to teach his children to ride there? To picnic by the lake? To stroll through its gardens and inhale the sweet scent of the various flowers?

He craved it. Yearned for it. And Cor, wicked woman that she was, knew his desire for Meadowbrook would be his Achilles’ heel. It would be hard because it was so different from what he envisioned for himself but he could make it work. All it would take would be finding a woman willing to become his wife.

“I don’t think I can be like my brothers and sisters and find a love match in two months’ time—but I am willing to seek a bride,” he said.

Once the words left his mouth, Hudson wished he could be at peace. Instead, the only woman that remotely appealed to him as a wife was Lady Mia Sloane.

And she had declared she would never wed.

*

Mia recorded herobservations in her journal as George cleaned up for the day. She had never thought about taking on an assistant but Mr. St. Clair had suggested it when they’d met to sign the two agreements at Mr. Davidson’s office. Though the former valet knew nothing about science, he was highly organized and took instructions well. She found having George’s assistance helped her accomplish far more than she would have on her on. Since she’d been in London, they had completed all testing on her steam engine. Mr. Garson, who was in charge of the warehouse, had found a property only three blocks away which would serve as the place to manufacture her machine.

She only wished she could work longer hours. The compromise reached had given Mia mornings at the warehouse to work on her experiments while afternoons were dedicated to remaking her. Aunt Fanny had been appalled that Mia hadn’t known what a corset was or which fork to use. She had never danced at an assembly so dance lessons were required. Her aunt tutored her in things Mia found impractical and useless but she listened with care. Her aunt and uncle had rescued her from an impossible situation and she did not want to embarrass them once she went out in society.

Aunt Fanny still had no clue that Mia had no interest in marrying and she wanted to keep it that way. Her uncle had taken her to his bank and helped her set up an account in her name. She’d arranged with Mr. Grant, who now served as her solicitor, and Mr. Davidson for her monthly funds to be deposited into her account. If Aunt Fanny grew upset enough with Mia and asked her to leave the household, she now had ample money to rent a place of her own. Even if Aunt Fanny allowed her to stay, Mia still might rent a place to live that would be large enough to work on her creations, as well. After so many years of being on her own, she still found it a little difficult to make polite conversation at meals. If she lived alone, she wouldn’t have to worry about that.

She was a little worried about today’s upcoming meeting. Mr. St. Clair, who for some reason had not been in London the past few months, had returned. He’d requested a meeting with her and asked if he could bring along his family members and some investors in her steam engine. The meeting was to take place at the Duke of Everton’s London residence. Mr. St. Clair said the duke was the head of the St. Clair family. She would explain her creation to the investors and they would be able to ask questions of her. Mia set aside the notebook she’d been using and retrieved another one. It had all her notes on the steam engine. She might need it, especially the diagrams, in order to explain to the gentlemen what her machine did.

“Everything’s in order, my lady,” George said. “I’ve also set up for our work tomorrow morning.”

“Very good, George. You have proven to be a great help to me.”

“I didn’t know if I would be a help to you but I’ve come to like what I do.” He chuckled. “I don’t always understand it but I find it interesting. Are you ready for today’s meeting with the investors?”

“As ready as I can be. I’ll admit I’m a bit nervous. It’s one thing to speak to an individual such as Mr. St. Clair and explain my device. Quite another to talk to a group of men.”

“You’ll do well, my lady. You know everything about your engine, inside and out.”

“I should be getting home. I’ll need to change.”

“I’ll fetch the carriage.”

The carriage was something Mr. St. Clair had added to the contract. He said he knew that she would need transportation to and from the warehouse and the factory once production began. The vehicle—and George—were a part of the agreement she signed. The St. Clairs provided the carriage and George’s salary. Mia thought it too much but it allowed her to move easily between her uncle’s townhouse and the warehouse without inconveniencing anyone.

She leaned down and picked up Nelson, who had been napping. He blinked his one good eye.

“You be good,” she said, checking to make sure the cat had fresh water and something to eat before they left for the day.

Nelson had not been welcomed at Aunt Fanny’s. Upon his arrival and introduction to her aunt and uncle after Mr. St. Clair had rescued the cat from Morris Park, Aunt Fanny had a monstrous sneezing fit. Her eyes also began watering. Mia realized at once her aunt was allergic to cats. Though it saddened her, at least she had space at the warehouse and Nelson spent his days there. Mr. Willis had said Nelson was a good mouser and the warehouse had far fewer mice than it had before the tabby’s arrival.

George delivered her to her uncle’s residence. “I’ll be here at two o’clock to take you to the duke’s,” he promised.

Mia waved goodbye and went inside. She’d explained to her aunt why she needed this afternoon to herself and that she wouldn’t be available for any lessons today. Aunt Fanny had been upset until she learned Mia would be meeting with the Duke of Everton.

“Everton is the epitome of a gentlemen. Still, I want Trentham to go with you. It’s not appropriate for you to meet alone with a group of men, Mia. You are a single woman and need a chaperone. Trentham will make the perfect one.”

She hid a smile. From what she gathered, she should be chaperoned by Aunt Fanny. Her aunt, though, found Mia’s work dull and boring. When she had tried to explain certain facets to Aunt Fanny, her eyes glazed over.

“I think Uncle Trentham will be a respectable chaperone. He may even know some of the investors who attend.”

“You said it’s the Everton family and a few others?”

“Yes.” Mia thought a moment to the list Mr. St. Clair had sent. “Family members include the duke’s brother, the Earl of Mayfield, and his three brothers-in-law—the Duke of Linfield, the Marquess of Merrick, and the Earl of Alford. And of course, Mr. St. Clair and a Mr. Proctor, who helps Mr. St. Clair in managing the family’s investments.”

“My, that’s an impressive group,” her aunt exclaimed.

“There are others. Family friends, from what I gather from Mr. St. Clair. I can’t recall all their names at the moment.” It was enough trying to keep the family members straight in her head.

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