Page 55 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

That thought caused her to open her eyes.

“No, Mrs. Little. I do think I’ll wear it after all.”

A knowing look gleamed in the housekeeper’s eyes. “Very well, Lady Mia.”

As the housekeeper assisted her, she asked, “Would you please call me Mrs. St. Clair? I would prefer that.”

Since Hudson had no title and she was the daughter of a viscount, society allowed Mia to still be referred to as a lady. She didn’t like that. It put distance between her and Hudson and would be a constant reminder of what he didn’t have. Besides, she rather liked having his name.

Mrs. Little smiled in approval. “Of course, Mrs. St. Clair. I’ll let the servants know your wishes.” She hesitated a moment and then said, “Mr. St. Clair is a particular favorite around here, ever since Her Grace brought him over a decade ago. We were more than pleased when Meadowbrook was placed in his hands.”

Mia liked that the servants thought well of Hudson. She would take their opinion any day over that of theton.

“Where is my husband?” she asked.

“He’s gone to his rooms, Mrs. St. Clair.” Mrs. Little pointed to a door. “That door leads to your dressing room and a shared bathing chamber is beyond that. If you keep going, you’ll reach Mr. St. Clair’s dressing room and his bedchamber.” Her eyes twinkled. “If you’ve found your second wind, I’m sure he would be happy to see you.”

She wasn’t sure of that but she smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Little.”

“I’ll show you around the house tomorrow,” the housekeeper promised. “You can meet all the servants then. Would you prefer a tray in your room for breakfast or will you eat downstairs with Mr. St. Clair?”

“Downstairs,” she said, not wanting to miss a single moment with her new husband.

“Very well. Do you need anything else?”

“No, thank you.”

Mrs. Little left and Mia, now wide awake, paced about the large chamber. The wallpaper was a soft cream color with scattered violets. Two chairs sat next to a window, a table between them and a large bouquet of flowers sitting upon it. She looked out the window but could see nothing because of the darkness.

Did Hudson have darkness in his soul? Even though he acted as if he didn’t care about society’s snub of him, it had to hurt. Did the hurt snowball into anger, which he held inside? She wished she knew.

Mia went to a dressing table and sat. Her hair was still coiled upon her head. She removed the pins and saw her brush sitting on the table. She brushed her hair until it shone. Normally, she never gave much thought to her hair, braiding it to keep it out of the way so it didn’t get caught in any of her machinery. Tonight, though was different. She allowed it to spill about her shoulders, cascading almost to her waist. She had no idea how to entice a man, especially Hudson, but she had heard her female St. Clair relatives discuss how their husbands loved to run their fingers through their wives’ hair. She hoped Hudson might enjoy doing so. Mia knew she would enjoy him doing it.

She stood, knowing she couldn’t put it off any longer. She wanted to approach him when no one was around. She’d learned since leaving Morris Park that servants lurked everywhere, trying to attend to the needs of their employers. Hopefully, all had retired for the night since it was so late. Going to the door Mrs. Little had indicated, Mia turned the handle and opened it. She retreated and fetched a candle to light her way since the dressing room was dark. Making her way through it, she found the bathing tub and then opened a door, finding herself in her husband’s dressing room.

She went to the door that led to his chamber and paused. The worst thing he could do is reject her. Tell her that he never intended for their relationship to be physical and send her back to her bedchamber. Or he might welcome her to his bed. A mixture of hope and fear filled her as she reached for the handle and pulled open the door.

Stepping inside, she saw all the candles had been extinguished. She crept across the room to the bed and raised her candle.

Hudson lay there, his hair falling across his brow, one arm slung above his head. He looked peaceful and younger than he did when awake. She longed to sweep back the hair but was afraid the gesture might awaken him. She wasn’t ready to be rejected.

Instead, she crept to the other side of the bed. Placing the candle down on the bedside table, she drew back the bedclothes and slipped under them. She leaned up and blew the candle out and then lay stock still on her back, clutching the covers to her. His breathing, deep and even, continued. She held her breath, feeling the heat that radiated from him, debating if she should remain where she was. In the end, temptation was too great. Mia turned to her side and moved closer to him.

Suddenly, he sighed and mumbled something. His arm, which had been above him, went around her, pulling her to him. She snuggled closer, her head resting on his chest.

This was heavenly.

Mia closed her eyes.

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