Page 39 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

Chapter Thirteen

Mia kept toher usual routine and put in a full morning at her workshop. George made a clever suggestion and she smiled.

“Do you know that it’s lovely working with you, George?” she asked the former valet. “I am so glad Mr. St. Clair suggested that you become my research assistant. Your systematic arrangement of everything from files to equipment has made me much more productive. You are so neat and methodical. I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”

He beamed. “It’s a true pleasure working with you, my lady. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed my time as your papa’s valet. Lord Morrison was the kindest soul on earth, may God rest his soul, but with all the activity here, I’ve found a new lease on life. I feel years younger.”

“I know Papa would be very happy that you are helping me continue his work and create my own. You were an excellent, trustworthy valet but an even better scientific associate.”

“I’m satisfied in the work, my lady. Very much so. Who would have thought I would have a hand in helping an invention come to life?” He paused. “It also means a great deal to me that I continue to work with the family. I was with Lord Morrison for many years. Why, I still remember the day you were born and how thrilled he was. It’s been a pleasure seeing you grow up and become the lovely, talented woman you are.”

Mia hugged him. “Thank you, George. I feel as though you are family.”

He blushed. “Thank you, Lady Mia.”

She went back to work, humming under her breath.

“You seem quite happy today, my lady,” he commented.

“Working makes me happy,” she replied and turned away, feeling her cheeks heat.

Yes, it was true she enjoyed what she was doing but her thoughts this morning kept turning to yesterday. Not the meeting with all the St. Clairs and the investors but afterward, when the duke had invited her and Uncle Trentham to tea. She’d enjoyed it so much, visiting with the duchess and Lady Merrick. She’d never had friends before and wondered if it would be possible to become friends with either of them. Both had been warm and accepting and interesting to talk to. The men had been delightful, as well. Lord Merrick had a wicked sense of humor and the Duke of Everton wasn’t anything like she thought a duke would be. She’d imagined a cold, haughty man who looked with disdain at everyone around him. Instead, he’d spoken to her as much as he had her uncle.

It shouldn’t have surprised her how closely Lady Linfield resembled Mr. St. Clair, especially when it came out that they were twins. All the St. Clair siblings favored one another with their jet-black hair and emerald eyes, but the twins resembled each other the most. She didn’t really understand enough about titles to know why the duke’s younger brother was an earl but Mr. St. Clair wasn’t. She wanted to ask Aunt Fanny about it but she didn’t want her to know she was interested in the man.

Much less that she’d kissed him.

Mia had relived their kiss multiple times. In fact, it was hard to look at Mr. St. Clair without a blush rising on her cheeks. Though his brothers and brothers-in-law were all fine-looking gentlemen, there was something special that attracted her to him. He had the St. Clair good looks and build, with a dangerous edge added in somehow. She’d heard him and Lord Linfield discuss boxing at some club and decided that’s where he had developed such delicious muscles.

Delicious? What was happening to her? Sweets were delicious, not men. Or she hadn’t thought so until she’d met Mr. St. Clair. He’d asked to stop by the warehouse tomorrow morning and talk to her about some of her inventions. The thought of spending time in his company brought those interesting tingles, the ones she’d had when she kissed him. Or he kissed her. She supposed she had started it and he had joined in enthusiastically. She thought about how she’d teased about conducting kissing experiments on him and felt her blush rise up her face to her roots.

Why had she said something so outrageous?

Because she had wanted to kiss him again.

He’d been a gentleman, though. She was sure he’d be the same tomorrow when he visited.

Part of Mia wanted him not to be so gentlemanly.

After another hour, she found her concentration waning and told George she was ready to go home. He finished assembling what she had given him and secured it in a cabinet. Mr. Willis, the man who had come and helped move her inventions from Morris Park, had stopped by to see her. He was the one who suggested bringing in cabinets and shelving. It had made all the difference in the world. George, being the former valet he was, immediately devised a way everything could be organized. That was good because Mia was very messy in her work, leaving things scattered about. Having George as her assistant kept her on her toes and he always knew where to find the odd screw or which notebook she needed to refer to.

She petted Nelson for a few minutes and then lowered him from her lap. He seemed to know she was through for the day and strolled from her workshop. She supposed he was ready to make his rounds through the warehouse and keep it mice free.

Once George drove her home, she asked that he return to take her to tea at the Marchioness of Merrick’s residence.

“I’ll be back, my lady. You can count on me.”

Mia called for hot water and took her time with her bath, enjoying the luxury of a full tub of hot water. With so few servants, she hadn’t wanted to inconvenience those they had by making them heat and carry buckets of water up the stairs too frequently. It was different now, just as her entire life in London was different. It would change even more once the Season began in three weeks. She wasn’t looking forward to it but pretended she did for Aunt Fanny’s sake.

She joined her aunt for luncheon, reminding her that she would be gone for tea with the marchioness.

“I’ve heard the Marchioness of Merrick will be the Duchess of Winstead soon,” her aunt confided. “Word has it that her father-in-law, the Duke of Winstead, is quite ill.” Aunt Fanny patted Mia’s hand. “I am so happy that you are making friends, Mia.”

“The marchioness is very nice. So were the Duchess of Everton and the Duchess of Linfield.”

“It was a great honor to be asked to stay for tea. Such illustrious company! Even Trentham said he had a good time.”

“Uncle told some interesting tales of life in the diplomatic service. Everyone was very interested in what he had to say.”

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