Page 53 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

Chapter Seventeen

Mia stood inthe large bedchamber at the Duke of Linfield’s home, surrounded by a bevy of women.

“You are a beautiful bride,” Laurel told her. “Hudson is a lucky man.”

It was hard to think of this woman as Laurel. She was a duchess, full of grace and beauty and wit. Hudson’s twin had insisted they be on a first-name basis, though. In fact, all his female relatives demanded the same. She had met every one of them before her engagement but had spent many hours in their company this past week as they planned her wedding. Aunt Fanny had also been included in every session and Mia could see her aunt relax as she realized this family was a tightknit group who would close ranks and protect their own.

Catherine had wanted to host the affair but Laurel had begged to do so herself since Hudson was her twin. Each St. Clair female, by blood or marriage, had made every effort for today to be incredibly special. Mia now looked upon Laurel, Catherine, Rachel, Leah, and Caroline as the sisters she’d never had. She knew as time passed that their husbands would become like brothers to her.

A bonus of spending so much time with Hudson’s family included the ability to spend time around his numerous nieces and nephews. Mia had never been around children but the St. Clair family was full of them. It surprised her how much she enjoyed the company of the children, who varied in age from fifteen-year-old Jenny, who was the oldest, to Laurel’s four-year-old daughter, who had been born on Christmas Day.

“We better go downstairs,” Rachel suggested. “Hudson will be anxious to start the ceremony.” She kissed Mia’s cheek and whispered, “Remember to wear the night rail I gave you tonight. It will drive him mad.”

Mia felt the hot blush spill across her cheeks. Though she had a new wardrobe for this Season, Catherine had insisted that Mia visit her modiste. Madame Toufours had created the bridal gown of softest yellow with sprigs of green, as well as several other dresses and a riding habit. She’d missed riding and hoped she and Hudson would do some on their honeymoon. They were leaving for his country estate, Meadowbrook, after the wedding breakfast. In fact, Hudson had gone down and spent three days there, preparing the place for her. She’d learned he had recently inherited it from his great-grandmother and that it was close to the Duke of Everton’s country place in Kent.

Though she’d grown close to these women during the past week, she had confided in none of them the arrangement she’d made with her fiancé. Every St. Clair woman seemed to be besotted by their husbands and the feeling was mutual. They were a very affectionate group. She wondered if they would consider her and Hudson’s behavior odd after their marriage. Mia wished she could have the type of relationship with him that these women did with their spouses, warm and loving and very affectionate. Until then, the revealing night rail from Rachel would not be worn.

Everyone kissed her goodbye and wished her well until she was left with Aunt Fanny.

“I can see my qualms were unnecessary. Even if you don’t move within theton, these women will take good care of you. Their friends, too. I wish I would have had such a loving, supportive group of females.”

“You are now a part of the family, too, Aunt Fanny. Extended family. They have taken you and Uncle in as some of their own.”

“It’s true. They’ve been most welcoming.” Her aunt paused. “I just want to be sure you believe you’re making the right decision, Mia. Do you have an affection for Mr. St. Clair?”

“I do. We have kissed,” she admitted. “I found it heavenly.”

What was left unsaid was she doubted much of that would happen anytime soon.

“Good. Oh, your mother would have been so proud of you today. Look at you, how beautiful you are.” Aunt Fanny smiled wistfully. “You and Mr. St. Clair will make a lovely couple. You’ll also have beautiful children.”

“Aunt Fanny!”

“What? I can’t talk about that?” Her aunt chuckled. “These St. Clair women seem to talk about things such as that all the time.”

“They are very open,” Mia admitted.

Someone knocked on the door and then it opened. Her uncle stood there.

“Are you ready, Mia?” he asked.

“Yes, Uncle Trentham.”

She joined him and took his arm, while her aunt left the room.

“You have found a good man, Mia. Mr. St. Clair sees you for who you are and appreciates you. You will never have to pretend with him. I know it’s not quite the marriage Fanny hoped you might make, but I believe it will be quite a successful one.”

“I hope so,” she said softly.

He led her downstairs and they entered the drawing room. It was filled with people, first and foremost St. Clairs, but also many of their friends. As her uncle led her to the far end of the room, she saw all five St. Clair siblings standing together. His brothers, Jeremy and Luke, stood to Hudson’s left. His sisters, Laurel and Rachel, would stand up for her. The closer she came, all others faded from view. Mia only had eyes for her handsome groom. He looked as eager as a schoolboy as she moved toward him. She found herself beaming at him.

Uncle Trentham handed her off and Hudson took her hand.

“Are you ready to do this?” he asked softly.

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

The clergyman gave a quick, lovely sermon about love. His words saddened her, knowing how many couples in this room were in love, and how she was marrying a man who only wanted to be her friend. She was determined to have a real marriage, though, and only hoped her new husband would go along with her wishes. When she would make them known, she hadn’t a clue.

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