Page 75 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

“I’ll send word to the others,” Luke said. “Why don’t the two of you go over to Laurel and Anthony’s? We can gather there to celebrate.”

Within half an hour, the family had arrived and Hudson asked, “Would you care to see the place?”

The group traveled across the street. The men decided to gather in the library over brandy, while Mia took the women on a tour of every floor. At each room, they talked about things that could be done.

“I should be making a list,” she declared. “I’ll never remember so many ideas.”

“We’ll help,” Rachel said. “As much or as little as you wish.”

“When will you move in?” Caroline asked.

Mia explained Hudson was eager to do so and that they would be here tomorrow. The women helped arrange a schedule of servants that would help in moving things from their current rooms to the townhouse and then they returned to the library to join their spouses.

Champagne awaited them, courtesy of Anthony sending across the street for it.

Jeremy made the toast. “To Mia and Hudson. We wish you a happy life in your new home.” He grinned. “Of which I’m sure you’ll fill with children, as well as entertaining your meddlesome St. Clair relatives.”

Everyone laughed. Hudson slipped an arm about her waist.

“To our happiness,” he said softly and touched his glass to hers.

Mia sipped the frothy drink, determined to make their home a happy one.

*

Hudson helped Miadress first and she returned the favor, tying his cravat and helping him slip into his coat. They were up early, as usual, too excited to sleep, ready to begin their new adventure.

“I will have to do some work today,” he told her.

“I can manage everything. Caroline and Laurel will be at the new place. I’ve told them where to place the items we’re taking there. George will be at the warehouse supervising the packing of my things. I’ll remain here until everything arrives and let George place things where he wishes. He told me that he already has it all organized in his mind. I’ll go to the townhouse after that.”

He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “It sounds as though you have everything in hand. My Messy Mia. Who would have thought?”

She laughed. “Iammessy. George is forever trailing behind me, cleaning up in my wake. I fear you do the same thing in our bedchamber.”

“Hire a lady’s maid. She can have that task from now on.” He kissed her. “That way it frees me up for other, more important things.”

She swatted playfully at him. “There will be time for that later, Mr. St. Clair. We can enjoy breaking in our new bedchamber.”

“I’ll hold you to that, Mrs. St. Clair. In fact, I think we will need to christen every room in this new house.”

A frantic knock sounded at the door and someone shouted his name several times. Hudson released her and hurried to answer it. Mia followed, curious as to who it could be, especially so early. The servants involved in the move weren’t supposed to be here for another hour.

Hudson opened the door, Mia standing behind him, and she gasped. A man covered in soot stood there, breathing heavily as if he’d run a great way.

“Charlie, is that you?” her husband asked.

“Yes, Mr. St. Clair. Mr. Garson sent me.” He paused, catching his breath. “It’s the warehouse, sir. It caught on fire.”

“What?” Both Hudson and Mia exclaimed at the same time and he added, “How?”

Charlie shook his head. “We aren’t certain but Mr. Garson suspects arson.”

“My notebooks!” Mia cried, realizing they were at the warehouse. “And Nelson!”

Her world came crashing down. Her journals reflected years of work, trial and error on hundreds of experiments. Notes on ideas for new devices. She’d never considered making copies because she’d hadn’t dreamed that she could lose them. That, coupled with the thought of losing her cat, left her feeling paralyzed.

“We’ll go at once,” Hudson said, never questioning that she would accompany him.

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