Page 50 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

Chapter Sixteen

Hudson finally brokethe kiss. Mia realized they were both out of breath. He rapped on the carriage. She assumed that was the signal for his driver to take them to Lord Trentham’s residence.

“I’m afraid I must apologize to you again, Mr. St. Clair. It seems every time I’m full of gratitude, I manage to kiss you.”

She remained on his lap. Though it should seem awkward, it wasn’t. She thought of what this kiss has led to. More than was within the realm of her understanding. His touch had awakened something delicious within her. She wanted more.

She wanted him...

Dare she ask him to marry her?

He took her hand and said, “I am happy to accept your gratitude, Mia.”

“You rescued me from a horrible situation. I’ve told you I hate the thought of being on display to strangers. The thing is, Mr. St. Clair, I—”

“Marry me.”

She gasped. Surely, she’d misunderstood him. “What... what did you say?”

“I want you to marry me, Mia.”

A thousand emotions poured through her. Did he feel the same way she did? Was he truly wanting her to be his wife?

“I know being ogled by strangers on the Marriage Mart is not what you ever wished for. I know your work is your priority and that you’ve said you never wanted the distraction of a husband or children. You wouldn’t have to be a true wife to me. You could be my friend.”

Mia wasn’t quite sure what he meant. “What are you saying?”

“I’m not asking that you come to my bed. What I am offering is the protection of my name. I know that doesn’t sound like much, being the bastard I am, but St. Clairs stand together. You would have a large family who would befriend you and support you. Unlike other men of theton, I would never ask that you give up your work. I know how much it means to you.”

He squeezed her hand. “I am wealthy in my own right, Mia. I have invested through the years. Becoming my wife would assure that you never had to worry about money again.” He paused. “I want to take care of you.”

Her throat thickened with tears. He didn’t love her. He didn’t expect her to perform wifely duties. He merely wanted to make sure that she could continue her work. Mia should appreciate what he was saying but his words cut her deeply.

When she hesitated to speak, he said, “I want you to maintain your independence. I can have Davidson draw up a contract that gives you sole ownership of any invention you now possess or any future ones you create. Don’t think I’m marrying you out of avarice, Mia. Yes, I recognize your genius and hope you will sell future viable inventions to the St. Clairs. It’s not why I wish to wed you, though. I want to give you the freedom to be who you are. Live the life that you choose.

“If you marry me, you can have that.”

Tears welled in her eyes. Hudson St. Clair was giving her a remarkable opportunity, with no strings attached. She wouldn’t legally be at a man’s mercy. He didn’t want her inventions or the money she had already earned from them. He didn’t need it. He was merely being kind in offering her his name—and the chance to continue as she had, while cheering her on as her friend.

The trouble was, she no longer wanted the life he described. Yes, she still wanted to keep scribbling down her ideas and bringing them to fruition. But a part of her wanted to become a woman in every sense of that word. She wanted that kind of life with him. Where she was his wife. The woman who bore his children. Even though he offered her freedom, she would never truly soar unless she joined with him physically.

If she turned him down, she would never have a chance with him again. Instinct told her so.

What if she said yes? Agreed to his idea of a marriage of convenience, one without any physical intentions involved. She had kissed him twice—and he’d responded both times. Mia sensed he did desire her but thought he did her a favor by eliminating that part of marriage. After all, she had come out rather strongly by telling him she never wanted a husband or children.

But a woman could change her mind. And this one had.

“Yes. I will marry you,” she said calmly though her heart raced like a horse running in the wind. Once they were wed, she would figure out a way to change his mind.

The carriage began to slow and she knew they were almost home. Hudson leaned close and pressed a soft kiss on her mouth.

“To seal our bargain,” he said. “All I need to do now is ask permission from your aunt and uncle.”

He lifted her from his lap and set her on the seat next to him.

She sniffed. “I am legally an adult. I don’t need their permission.”

“No,” he said. “But you want them to give it. Since you do, I want it, too.”

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