Page 65 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

It took well over an hour for him to read the entire report. He made notes as he went. Morrison seemed to favor Rigby’s.

Hudson planned to be at the gaming hell tonight.

*

Mia arrived homejust before one o’clock. Hudson was not there but she saw a note on the table by the door. He confirmed they had an appointment to see the Bromwell house at two this afternoon and he asked her to meet him there. She went back outside to let George know they would need to leave in half an hour.

She went upstairs and changed her gown. Knowing they might be house hunting this afternoon, she’d deliberately kept from becoming too hands on with her devices this morning. Instead, she’d read through several journal entries to familiarize herself with the last devices she’d been conducting experiments upon before her wedding and honeymoon. She jotted down a few ideas that came to her, sharing them with George, who had a few suggestions of his own. It both surprised and pleased her how the former valet had adapted to a new line of work and how invaluable his contributions were to her process.

She arrived at the Bromwell residence and found Hudson and Mr. Davidson standing outside, along with Laurel and Caroline.

“We aren’t coming in with you,” Laurel said. “We just saw you arrive and wanted to say hello.”

“I hope you’ll like the place,” Caroline said hopefully. “It would be wonderful if we could be neighbors.”

Mia thought so, too, but it would depend upon Hudson’s opinion of the townhouse.

A carriage pulled up and a man of average height but very good looks bounded from it, followed by a more sedate, older one. She figured it was the new viscount and his solicitor.

Laurel and Caroline excused themselves and went to their respective houses as she and Hudson greeted the newcomers.

“I see you’ve brought your solicitor, St. Clair,” the viscount said. “I hope you’re serious about buying the place. I’ve my eye on a spectacular house a few blocks from here but I need to sell this one first.”

“It will depend upon the interior,” Hudson said cagily. “Mr. Davidson and I have already examined the outside and had a look at the carriage house and stables.”

Lord Bromwell turned to her. “I think you will be quite pleased at the inside, Lady Mia.” Taking her arm, he said, “We all know it’s the woman who makes the decision in these instances.” He chuckled. “Just ask my wife, who is the driving force behind the townhouse I plan to purchase.”

She looked over her shoulder and saw Hudson’s jaw tighten as the viscount led her to the front door. It took her a moment to realize her husband was jealous, which oddly pleased her.

“Please call me Mrs. St. Clair, Lord Bromwell. I prefer it.”

“I would call you Queen if you can convince your husband to take this place off my hands,” he said quietly.

Lord Bromwell ushered her inside and then must have seen the look on Hudson’s face. He released her and said, “I’d be happy to show you around and point out all the features but I think you’d be happier discovering things on your own. I’ll be in the library having a brandy if you have any questions.”

“Let’s start at the top and explore from there down to the ground floor,” Hudson suggested. “Mr. Davidson, why don’t you join the viscount and his solicitor?”

Her husband led her up several flights of stairs. The first rooms they came across were designated for the nursery. Mia felt a strong pull toward them, looking carefully around, imagining their children in these rooms. Hudson came up behind her and wrapped his arms about her.

“Can you hear the pitter-pat of little feet here?” he asked in her ear.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

He turned her so she faced him and kissed her.

Breaking the kiss, he said, “I want our children to see their parents being affectionate with one another. My mother never had anyone in her life beyond Laurel and me. When the St. Clairs took us in, the first thing I noticed was how open they were in displaying their feelings toward one another and their spouses. It was a foreign concept to me.

“Until now.”

He kissed her again deeply and Mia felt desire stir within her.

Hudson released her and stepped away. “We better finish looking over the house. I’ll tell you now, Bromwell was right. The decision is yours. I don’t care where we live—as long as we are together.”

They explored every floor and when they’d seen every room, she said, “I love it. The rooms are spacious and numerous.”

“Is there anything you would change about it?”

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