Page 54 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

Hudson spoke his vows firmly, brimming with confidence. Mia spoke much more softly but with purpose.

Then they were man and wife and being congratulated and cheered by their guests. Hudson led her into the wedding breakfast, with lavishly decorated tables covered in white cloths and beautiful china. Bouquets of colorful flowers abounded, taken from the various St. Clair gardens and lovingly arranged by Rachel. Conversation was lively and several toasts were made honoring the couple.

Then the Duke of Everton rose. “As head of this family, I’d like to make the final toast and allow Mia and Hudson to be on their way to Meadowbrook.” He looked around the room and then his eyes fell upon the groom.

“Hudson, we have only known we are brothers by blood for the past ten years but know that you are a brother of my heart, as well as blood. You have brought your unique point of view and a great deal of common sense to the St. Clairs and injected us with a spirit of happiness and goodwill. Though you are younger than I am, I constantly seek your advice and know your guiding hand will never lead me astray. Fortunately, you had the good judgment to make Lady Mia Sloane your bride and bring her into the fold.”

Jeremy smiled at her. “You, my lady, bring intelligence and beauty and a sense of wonderment regarding our world. I know the St. Clair family will be better and stronger with you among us.” The duke lifted his champagne glass. “To Mia and Hudson!”

“To Mia and Hudson!” the room echoed heartily.

She looked shyly at her new husband and he grinned. Clinking his glass against hers, he said, “To a life of discovery, wherever that takes us.”

As she sipped her champagne, she hoped to discover everything she could about this man.

“You need to get on the road,” Laurel said. “It will take a good ten hours at least to reach Meadowbrook, if not longer. As it is, you’ll be exhausted when you arrive.”

Mia slipped upstairs and changed into a traveling gown with Rachel and Leah’s assistance. She returned downstairs and, like Hudson, she was swamped with goodbye kisses and embraces and well wishes.

Aunt Fanny was the last to speak to her, hugging her tightly.

“I wish you every happiness, Mia. Trentham and I will be eager to visit with you when you return from Kent.”

The entire group walked them to their waiting carriage and as it pulled away, she waved goodbye, tearing up a bit.

“Don’t worry,” Hudson said. “We won’t be gone forever. A honeymoon is expected these days. It will give us a chance to get to know one another better. I’m eager for you to see Meadowbrook since we’ll spend some of our time there during the year.”

“I know it’s fairly close to Eversleigh and Fairhaven and I was told you’ve recently inherited it.”

“It was left to me by Cor, my great-grandmother. It was a favorite place of hers.”

He told her of different trips he’d taken to Meadowbrook with Cor and how she’d taught a rough and tumble boy of the streets how to be a perfect English gentleman.

“Cor knew I wouldn’t be accepted into Polite Society but she wanted me to have the manners all the same. She wanted me to be comfortable at university and, later, when I learned about various businesses. Cor shaped a good deal of my thinking and my moral compass. She had a heart of gold and a resolve stronger than steel. She was, by far, the smartest St. Clair of all and respected by all of Polite Society. A true force of nature.”

“You miss her.”

“I do,” he admitted. “Having Meadowbrook, though, is as if having a piece of her.”

“It was thoughtful of her to leave it to you.”

He looked at her steadily, as if he wanted to say something, and then turned away to glance out the window. “Yes, it was. Cor was a thoughtful woman.”

They had left London just before noon and didn’t arrive at Meadowbrook until almost eleven that night. Hudson had nudged Mia when they arrived. She yawned, so tired from being in the carriage for such a long time, despite the stops they’d made to switch out horses. She leaned on Hudson as they were greeted by the butler and housekeeper, a married couple named Little.

“Lady Mia is very tired,” her husband said. “Can you send someone up to help her get ready for bed? She has no lady’s maid yet.”

“I’ll tend to her myself, Mr. St. Clair,” the housekeeper said.

Mia took a few steps and thought she might collapse until Hudson scooped her up and carried her up the stairs and to a bedchamber. She snuggled against his chest and closed her eyes, inhaling his masculine scent.

She must have fallen asleep because Mrs. Little shook her awake. Mia lay on a bed. Hudson was gone. Her trunk rested on the floor. She sat up but kept her eyes closed as the housekeeper undressed her.

“Oh, this is a pretty thing,” the woman exclaimed, holding up the night rail Rachel had gifted her.

“Not that,” she said wearily.

“Of course, my lady. You are tired tonight. You can wear it tomorrow night instead. By then, of course, you will be well-rested and ready for Mr. St. Clair.”

---