Page 36 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

Chapter Twelve

Hudson had arrangedfor his immediate family to gather half an hour before the scheduled meeting with Lady Mia and their investors. He’d included Rachel in the group, thinking it would be less intimidating if a woman would be present to greet Lady Mia.

“Where is everyone else?” Luke asked. “I only see family gathered. I thought you said you’d arranged for a few other investors, Hudson?”

“I have. They will be here shortly, along with Matthew.”

“I haven’t a clue why you want me at this meeting,” Rachel said. “Talking about some type of machinery sounds terribly boring.”

Her husband slipped an arm about her waist. “Oh, so you would send me to this meeting and allow me to be bored?”

She batted her lashes coyly at him. “You’re so manly, Evan. You simply understand things like this much better than I ever could.”

“You’re not weaseling out of this meeting, Rachel. I have ulterior motives for you being here,” Hudson told her.

She eyed him with interest. “You have my attention.”

He cleared his throat, anxious about opening up to them. As in gambling, he always played his cards close in life. Revealing what he had in mind had him paralyzed with fear.

“Go on,” Anthony encouraged, his eyes kind.

Hudson cleared his throat again and said, “You all know the terms of Cor’s will. That if I’m to inherit Meadowbrook, I must wed soon.”

“You wish to marry Lady Mia,” Jeremy stated.

Rachel frowned. “Who on earth is Lady Mia?”

“The inventor you’re about to meet,” Hudson said.

“What? No one told me this steam engine you’ve all been so keen on was devised by a woman.” His sister nodded sagely. “Since I have my own business designing landscaping and fountains, you thought that would give me something in common to talk about with your inventor. Plus, you want my opinion regarding the match.”

He felt a blush rise. “She’s not my inventor.”

“Well, you’d like her to be,” Rachel quipped.

It was true, so he might as well admit it.

“Lady Mia is a very unique female,” he began. “She’s far more clever than I could ever hope to be. Her knowledge of science is vast. Her design for this new steam engine is remarkable. Even if she were a man, I would want everyone to meet her because I think the St. Clairs will be doing business with her for a long time.”

“She has other designs?” Alex asked.

“Yes. I’ve had them moved to our warehouse and she is working on various devices in a space provided for her.” Hudson paused. “The possibilities are limitless. It will take numerous sessions to go over what she’s created and see if she has other devices viable enough for us to invest in.”

“But you’re interested in investing in her, as well,” Luke said.

Hudson nodded. “I am. I never thought to wed. I didn’t see myself as a husband and father.”

“This Lady Mia intrigues you more than with her inventions,” Rachel said.

“Yes. Very much. That’s why I wanted you to know this before she arrives. We’re not only going to hear about her steam engines. I want your opinion on if she would fit into our family.”

Several started to speak but Jeremy held up his hand and the group fell silent.

“We are touched that you care what we think, Hudson,” the duke began. “If Lady Mia is your choice—then she is our choice as well. It will be nice to meet her and hear her speak about her work. But know that you have our support no matter which woman you choose as a bride.”

“Thank you, Jeremy. I... I want us all to make a good impression upon her. She’s told me that her work is her priority. Because of it, she doesn’t intend to wed.”

Luke chuckled and threw an arm about Hudson’s shoulder. “That’s because my brother hasn’t asked for her hand in marriage. She’ll change her mind if you ask her. The rest of us will be charming and attentive, so much that she will want to become a St. Clair when asked.”

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