Page 67 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

“No need, Mr. Davidson. Thank you.”

Mia moved through the offices and out the door, the cold of spring sweeping through her though the day was mild.

“Home, Mrs. St. Clair?” George asked as he opened the carriage door.

“Yes.”

She climbed inside and sat, an emptiness filling her.

She thought Hudson had come around the warehouse so often because he was interested in her. Attracted to her. That he wanted to know more about her. She’d believed he’d cared for her—when all she’d been was a means to an end. None of the girls making their come-outs would have given him the time of day.

Except for the biggest wallflower of the Season.

Had he deliberately danced with her that first night, knowing it would ruin her chances of making a match with another gentleman? Had he swept in then, rescuing her from the vicious rumors swirling about her?

He’d never uttered a word about love. She hadn’t minded—until now.

No wonder he’d been so generous, allowing her to keep the rights to her inventions. He’d gained a fortune and an estate by marrying her before his deadline passed. He could afford to be charitable. An ache deep within her began. It spread, eating away at her.

Mia loved a man who didn’t love her. One who had used her to gain what was most important to him. All the trust she’d had in him flew out the window. She’d been a pawn in a scheme she hadn’t been party to.

He’d given her freedom by marrying her. It was now time to give him freedom to do as he pleased. She would take her earnings and live off them. She didn’t need someone so dishonest in her life, cozying up to her, pretending to like her, telling her what she wanted to hear. Mia felt like a cheap whore, one who had serviced a man and given him what he wanted.

When they arrived home, she knew what she had to do. Staying here was no longer an option. She asked George to wait because she had some things he would need to move to the carriage and deliver elsewhere. With that, Mia went upstairs to pack her belongings, the dream of a life with the man she loved crushed.

---