Page 40 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

“Let’s hope that some of your new acquaintances will invite you to events they host. We are already starting to receive some invitations. You have been included, of course, because Trentham put out the word that his niece was staying with him. Oh, the Season is going to be so much fun, Mia.”

She tolerated another dance lesson after luncheon. The dance master kept telling her to feel the music but she had no idea what he was talking about. She constantly stepped on his toes or turned the wrong direction in the reels. It didn’t help that Aunt Fanny watched the lessons, which only made Mia more self-conscious.

When the lesson ended, she thanked him and left to change gowns for her tea. She couldn’t decide which one to wear and went back to the music room to ask her aunt. Unfortunately, she overheard her instructor telling Aunt Fanny that Mia was just this side of hopeless.

“I don’t care,” her aunt declared. “We must keep at it. She will have balls to attend. She doesn’t have to be perfect. Just good enough not to embarrass herself. She’s a very pretty girl. Surely, gentlemen will overlook a few mashed toes.”

Mia hurried away, worried even more now about attending her first ball. It was to be at Lord and Lady Rutherford’s townhouse. Aunt Fanny said it was tradition that the Rutherfords always hosted the first event of each Season. She’d been friends with the previous Earl and Countess of Rutherford but did not know their son, Aubrey, who had inherited the title while she and Trentham were abroad.

She wondered if Mr. St. Clair would attend the ball—or any of the social events. Something told her that balls were not high on his list of priorities. He seemed much too practical and far too busy to engage in such frivolous activities.

Opening her wardrobe, she finally decided on a gown of sky blue. She dressed her own hair in a simple knot, captured low on her nape. Looking at her reflection in a small hand mirror, Mia wished that she had her mother’s locket to wear. It would have been the perfect complement to the gown. She retrieved a shawl and wrapped it about her since a chill was still in the March air and then proceeded downstairs, where she saw her aunt was also leaving for tea with friends. Mia told Aunt Fanny goodbye and then went to her own carriage, where George awaited her.

By the time she arrived at the Merrick residence, she was a bundle of nerves. She thought she’d had a rapport with the marchioness yesterday. Now, she wasn’t so sure. She’d never really been around other females and didn’t know what they would talk about. She did her best to tamp down her nerves as George helped her from the carriage.

“Enjoy your tea, my lady,” he said, giving her an encouraging smile.

She was escorted upstairs, her mouth dry as she forced herself to put one foot in front of the other. The butler announced her and Lady Merrick came and greeted her.

“I’m so glad you agreed to come to tea today,” she said with enthusiasm. “I’ve asked a few others to join us.”

Dread filled Mia, despite the marchioness’ good cheer. It was one thing to discuss her invention with yesterday’s group of men and quite another to talk to ladies at tea today.

“Come, let me show you some of my designs.”

Within minutes, she was lost in Lady Merrick’s sketchbooks. The woman had a talent for creating all kinds of gardens. Formal. Whimsical. Mia caught her hostess’ excitement as she flipped through the sketchbook and explained different projects she’d worked on.

“You are as much an inventor as I am,” she declared.

“I’d like to think what I create brings happiness to others,” Lady Merrick confided. “Thank you for letting me share my work with you. I’d love to hear more about other devices you are working on.”

The butler entered and announced the other guests. Mia was a little nervous but looking at Lady Merrick’s sketchbook had calmed her.

Two women came forward and Mia rose for the introductions.

“Lady Mia Sloane, I’d like you meet two wonderful friends.” She indicated a petite blond with green eyes. “This is Lady Alford, my closest friend. She is the sister of the Duchess of Everton’s and she is like a sister to me.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Alford,” Mia said, thinking the woman very different from her tall, auburn-haired sister. She supposed each favored a different parent.

“And this is Lady Merrifield. You met her husband at yesterday’s meeting, as well as Lord Alford.”

“I’m delighted to meet you, Lady Merrifield. Your husband is very charming.”

The dark-haired beauty smiled, her blue-gray eyes lighting up. “He certainly charmed me. I’m so glad we have this opportunity to meet. Oliver was full of talk about your steam engine.”

Lady Alford laughed. “So was Alex. You made quite an impression upon him. I am glad I also get to become acquainted with you.”

“Come, let’s sit. The tea cart will be arriving now that you’re here.”

As they talked over sandwiches and tea, Mia realized how much she liked these women. They were unpretentious and easy to know, just as the Duchesses of Everton and Linfield had been yesterday. Perhaps making friends wasn’t as hard as she’d thought it would be.

“Are you interested in reading?” Lady Alford asked.

“I haven’t done much,” she admitted. “My work keeps me busy.”

“I want to invite you to a book club,” Lady Alford said. “All three of us belong to it. I know you met Catherine and Laurel yesterday. They, too, are members. We’re meeting tomorrow morning at ten o’clock at Evie’s Bookstore.”

“The bookstore is owned by my sister-in-law, Lady Mayfield,” the marchioness said. “Even though you haven’t read the book we will discuss, you should come and see what it’s like.”

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