Page 14 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

Chapter Five

It was onlysixteen miles to London from Morris Park so Hudson’s carriage reached the city shortly before two in the afternoon. He had directed his driver to head straight to Mr. Davidson’s office. He wanted the contracts written immediately. His gut told him Cousin Horatio would prove to be the proverbial fly in the ointment. Having a legal, binding document would protect the St. Clairs.

And Lady Mia.

Mia Sloane was unlike any woman he’d ever met. He’d run the gambit, having been raised in abject poverty and then elevated to high society, thanks to Jeremy’s largesse. Perhaps she seemed unique because she was so untouched by society, poor or wealthy. She lived in a small world and had likely never strayed far from Morris Park, especially after her mother’s death. Though she had none of the accomplishments of a typical English female, Hudson liked her more for it. She wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed about her skills in maths or the sciences.

It did worry him when she said her aunt wanted her to make a come-out. Polite Society was the last place this woman needed to be. The rules and conventions would make her miserable and she wouldn’t fit in with anyone. Her age, too, would prevent many men from considering her as a prospective bride—although they would look. She had a fresh, untouched beauty and an astonishing figure. He’d longed to peel the tight trousers from her and see those long legs and plump derriere in the flesh. Not see. Feel. The woman tempted him beyond reason. He hoped once she came to London she would at least dress in the manner of other females. Seeing her in trousers again might be his—and her—undoing.

The vehicle stopped and Hudson bounded from the carriage, seeing Matthew Proctor coming out the door. The two men ran various aspects of the St. Clairs’ businesses and scheduled monthly meetings to keep one another apprised.

“It’s fortuitous meeting you here, Matthew. Do you have time to come back inside and hear what I wish our Mr. Davidson to do?”

His former tutor chuckled. “He won’t have time, Hudson. I have given him a mountain of paperwork to wade through and more to prepare.”

“That may have to change. I’m on to something big.”

They entered the building and went to Davidson’s offices, where they were greeted by his secretary. If the man thought it unusual for Matthew to be back after so short a spell, he hid his surprise well. He led them to a conference room, where Davidson already had papers strewn upon the large table, organizing them into different piles of priority.

“Greetings, Mr. St. Clair,” the solicitor said. He frowned. “Don’t tell me you thought of something else, Mr. Proctor?”

“No, but St. Clair here thinks what he’s bringing will be more important than everything I’ve given you. I am curious to hear what he has to say.”

Davidson indicated for them to sit and Hudson launched into his idea to create a new railway company since he believed it to be the transportation of the future.

“I’ve kept abreast of the research and have found an inventor who has designed a variation of the steam engine the Darlington is using now.”

Quickly, he explained the prototype as best he could, using examples from Mia and even producing the two sketches she had drawn to illustrate her points, explaining why her model would be more efficient and most likely more cost effective.

“I need two different contracts drawn up immediately,” he continued. “One deals with the purchase of the design and prototype of this steam engine. We’ll call it the Sloane engine,” he suggested. “It was created by Lady Mia Sloane.”

“What?” both men said, astonishment written across their faces.

He explained how Mia had helped her father for years in working on creating and testing different inventions and how Lord Morrison’s mental health had decline over a period of years, so much that she had taken over the entire operation.

“You’re telling me this daughter—a lady—has continued her father’s work?” asked an incredulous Davidson.

“Yes. She has many other inventions, as well. I’m having them brought to our warehouse and giving her space there to work on perfecting them. You see, her father just passed away. Since it’s her design, I want the contract to reflect that she has sole ownership of the design and machine. You’ll also need to see about applying for the patent. She’s done so for previous creations but has only perfected this one and hasn’t had time to file. She is aware our purchase will include getting the patent.

“The second contract is to retain her personal services for a term of three years, where she will supervise testing and production of this steam engine.”

“How old is this viscount’s daughter?” Matthew asked. “I’m curious.”

“In her early to mid-twenties is my best guess. I do know she’s of legal age and can sign the contracts. Her uncle, Lord Trentham, will be helping her retain a solicitor to read over the documents we draw up. If her machine is as good as I think it is, we may try to sign her to an exclusive contract, where she would create devices solely for St. Clair businesses.”

“Your gut has never steered us wrong, Hudson,” Matthew said. “If you believe in her skills this much, I say this is definitely Mr. Davidson’s priority. I know the last time you and I met, we discussed various investors beyond the St. Clair family that would be interested in forming a partnership for a new railway.”

“Yes, I have firm commitments from the peers I mentioned,” he said. “Mr. Davidson, I’d like the contract drawn up at once for the steam engine. Four copies of each for now. We’ll retain one. One is for Lady Mia. Another for her solicitor.”

“And the final one?” Davidson asked.

“Her cousin, who is now Viscount Morrison. From what she said, he may cause problems. Even though the steam engine and other devices within the house are hers, he might claim they are property of the estate. In fact, my next stop is the warehouse. I promised Lady Mia that I would have wagons sent down tomorrow to collect her projects and bring them straight here. Since she will be coming to London in the next few days, she can be presented with the second contract at that time.”

The men discussed the final details, including that Matthew had the authority to sign any contracts drawn up on behalf of the family. Once they finished, Hudson and Matthew walked out together.

“I can’t wait to meet this Lady Mia,” Matthew said. “I’m intrigued by a woman who is so talented in areas where men have always prevailed.”

For a moment, jealousy flared in Hudson. He quickly tamped it down. Of course, Matthew should meet her. It would be expected.

---