Page 63 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

Her face flamed now as everyone began teasing her.

“Keep it for a while,” Laurel finally said. “You might eventually find time to open it and see what’s inside.” She took Mia’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m just so happy for the two of you. You are radiant. I’m so glad you found each other and love.”

Love?

Mia hadn’t even thought of that. Desire, certainly. Hudson had aroused something within her, a sensual side she’d never known existed. They had spent many hours exploring one another’s bodies, seeing what pleased the other. What excited them.

But love?

She knew passion lay between them, a spark that was easy to light and one which burned brightly whenever they touched one another. Love, though, implied so many other things. She doubted her parents had been in love. Their marriage had been arranged and from what Mia remembered, they were polite toward one another if a bit distant. The same was true of Aunt Fanny and Uncle Trentham. They were respectful but she didn’t see any great passion between them, not like she’d witnessed with her new St. Clair relatives.

She thought how close she’d grown to Hudson and how she looked forward to seeing him. How her heart leaped whenever he walked into a room. How her body ached for his touch. She knew if she never saw him again her life would be so miserable, she might as well not be living. Suddenly, her rational mind caught up with her heart. It told her that, yes, she did love her husband. She had no idea if he loved her in return. She doubted it. He was so confident and self-contained, it didn’t seem as if he needed anyone. Yes, he desired her and when they came together, it was as if nothing would ever come between them. Love, though, wasn’t something that she saw him ever feeling. Duty. Devotion. Protection. All those, certainly. Love was another matter.

Mia determined to keep her new feelings to herself. She wouldn’t embarrass herself or Hudson by declaring she loved him. What she had was enough.

For now.

Eager to turn the attention in a new direction, she said, “Hudson has decided we need to purchase a townhouse. He wants to turn his rooms into space for my research.”

“That’s a marvelous idea,” Caroline said. “And I have a better one. Viscount Bromwell, our next-door neighbor, passed away two weeks ago. His son, the new Bromwell, wants something larger and is going to place the townhouse on the market.”

“That would be wonderful,” Laurel exclaimed. “Especially since Anthony and I live across the street!”

The women began talking excitedly about the prospect of Mia and Hudson buying the property. Everyone lived within a ten-minute walk or a very short carriage ride. She hoped Hudson might want to go look at it.

At that moment, her husband and the Duke of Everton came into the drawing room. Her heart slammed against her ribs. Her pulse fluttered wildly. Her husband came toward her.

Leah, who sat next to her, said, “You may have my seat, Hudson,” and moved from the settee to a nearby chair.

Hudson sat very close to her and kissed her. In front of his family. She’d never been around people who were demonstrative physically. Now, he acted as his siblings did, thrilling her to the bone.

“How was your day?” he asked, his voice low, sending a shiver along her spine.

“I’ll tell you about it later. When I collect on what you owe me,” she said saucily.

“We’ve found a home for you,” Caroline said, explaining about Viscount Bromwell.

“It sounds perfect,” Hudson said. Looking at Mia, he asked, “Would you like me to arrange for us to see it tomorrow afternoon? I know you plan to work mornings.”

“I’d like that very much,” she replied.

The rest of tea passed quickly. When they left, Hudson had George drive them by the townhouse. From the outside, it looked very inviting.

“It’s probably larger than we need,” she said, worried about its size and how much it might cost.

“I doubt that. We have a large family to entertain.” He slipped an arm about her waist. “And I hope we’ll have family of our own, too.”

Her husband kissed her. Mia didn’t think she’d ever been happier.

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