Page 48 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

“Very well, sir,” the footman said, stepping back and pocketing the coin.

Hudson took a deep breath and made his way to the ballroom.

*

Mia dressed ina pale-yellow gown, which made her eyes seem larger and her skin glow. She saw no point in attending another ball where she would only be asked to dance by men who had debts up to their ears. Once she’d figured out why they were the only ones to sign her programme, Mia had made a point of sharing that she had no dowry at all. That had quickly thinned the small line of men and she didn’t expect any single gentleman to ask her to partner with him tonight. Aunt Fanny had been right. Thetonhad turned on her. All for dancing with Hudson St. Clair. The few who had asked her to dance beyond fortune hunters had been his St. Clair relatives. She remembered how he said St. Clairs stand together and thought it very kind of them to help her out. Mia intended to speak to the Duke of Everton tonight, though, and ask him to instruct his family to put an end to their charity.

She slipped on her gloves and went downstairs, where her aunt and uncle awaited her in the carriage.

“This is the last event I am attending, Aunt Fanny,” she said. “I never wanted to gain a husband by parading myself before all the single gentlemen of Polite Society. I am making my own way and have my own money. I don’t need or want a husband. Besides, I am starting to reflect poorly upon you and Uncle Trentham. You haven’t received any new invitations after that first spate arrived, other than ones from various St. Clairs. I am a detriment to you. Please, I beg you, don’t make me go to another event beyond tonight.”

Tears brimmed in her aunt’s eyes. “I am so sorry, Mia. I never knew thetoncould be this vicious.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s mine, for breaking their unwritten rules. I would not change dancing with Mr. St. Clair, however. I enjoyed that one dance more than anything I have experienced during this Season. I felt almost graceful during it. If people are going to reject him for such a callous reason, I truly want no part of this society.”

“You have every right to feel the way you do, Mia,” her uncle said. “If you want, I’ll have the driver turn the carriage around and we’ll go home at once.”

She wanted to do that very thing but knew Aunt Fanny had been looking forward to visiting with an old friend who’d just arrived in town.

“No, Uncle, we’re already dressed and almost there. A few more hours of hypocrisy won’t kill me,” she joked.

He gave her a fond smile. “If you really want to scandalize society, you could always join me in the card room.”

“Trentham!” Aunt Fanny declared. “Do not give her any ideas.”

They arrived and went from the carriage to the receiving line. She noted how coolly Lord and Lady Axelrod greeted her aunt and uncle and knew she was doing the right thing by avoiding attending any futuretonevents with them. Her uncle headed for the card room, while her aunt found her friend. After introducing the woman to Mia, she excused herself so the two women could catch up.

Mia wandered over to the punch bowl and claimed a cup. Before long, though, several of Hudson’s relatives surrounded her. All women. All determined that she not stand alone as a wallflower.

“I am grateful for the friendship you have offered me,” she told the group. “I am not in society’s good graces, however. I think it best if you all leave and go dance with your husbands.”

“I’d rather stay with you, Lady Mia,” the Duchess of Linfield proclaimed.

“I second that,” Lady Merrick said.

The others murmured in agreement. The musicians began tuning their instruments so she did the only thing she could think of.

“Oh!” she gasped. “If you’ll excuse me, I must go to the retiring room immediately. Please forgive me.”

That was always a good excuse. Even women didn’t mention their monthly courses amongst one another. She did her best by her tone and words to indicate this very thing had happened and she must address it immediately.

Quickly hurrying away, she felt terrible for lying. These were good women, though. Pillars in society, even if they were much kinder than a majority of thetonbecause they accepted Hudson unconditionally. She loitered in the foyer, which still had a good number of people milling about, and then returned to the ballroom after several minutes of music playing. Sure enough, every kind woman who had surrounded her in a show of support now moved about the dance floor with their husbands. Mia looked around, wondering if she could find some potted plant to hide behind for the duration of the ball. Her last ball to attend. She wasn’t bitter. Only a bit sad. It would have been nice to dance with Hudson St. Clair one more time. He had been among the missing, though, for the past five nights, thanks to whatever business he handled or the fact that he wouldn’t have received an invitation from Lady Axelrod to tonight’s event.

Suddenly, she spied him striding toward her. Her breath hitched. His gaze met hers and never left it as he moved with determination through the ballroom full of people. Mia stood frozen to the spot. Something told her she should run. Hide. Get away. But she didn’t want to. She wanted to see him. He understood her. He made her laugh. He was everything she wanted in a man—and she hadn’t even known she’d wanted one in her life.

Until now.

He reached her and took her hand, raising it and kissing her fingers tenderly. The gesture seemed infinitely intimate when he performed it, unlike others who had done so. He continued holding her hand, his thumb rubbing back and forth, causing those incredible tingles to ripple through her.

“I would ask you to dance but I’m not an invited guest,” he said, his steady gaze never wavering. “At any moment, I’m sure Lord Axelrod will spy me and send an army of footmen to throw me out. Before he can do that, will you leave with me now, Mia?”

He hadn’t called herLady Mia. He’d called herMia.

“Yes, Hudson,” she boldly said, watching a slow grin spread across his handsome face. “I think leaving this ball with you is a most excellent idea.”

Offering her his arm, she took it. They walked past dozens of people, including many who’d been dancing and had stopped to watch.

“Where is he taking her?” someone whispered loudly as they moved by.

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