Page 3 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

“Where would we go?” she countered.

“There’s no we to this, Mia,” her aunt said firmly. “Morrison is unwell.”

“Then I am the one who will tend to him. There’s no one else.”

“We’ll find someone,” Aunt Fanny insisted. “You will need to see to closing up the house. Relieving the servants of their positions. You’ll come to London for the Season.”

“The Season?” she asked. “What is that?”

“Oh, dear God in His heaven. The Season is when Polite Society gathers for social events. There are balls. Parties. Musicales. Theater and opera.” Her aunt gazed at her steadily. “It’s also where you can find a husband.”

“I’ve never thought of marrying, Aunt. Besides, Papa needs me.”

“Do you know who his solicitor is?”

Puzzled, Mia said, “Yes.”

“We need to contact him at once and see that a dowry has been provided for you.” Fanny stopped and sighed. “A dowry is given to your husband upon your wedding. It’s something that will help attract a man to you.”

Mia chuckled. “There can’t be a dowry if there’s no money, Aunt. I handle matters for the estate and have for years. We live very frugally.”

“There’s no money at all?”

“No, Aunt.”

Fanny thought. “What about unentailed properties?”

“Only what Mama brought into the marriage,” she replied. “It’s a small manor house and has been empty for years. I’ve considered selling it to keep Morris Park and Papa’s experiments going.”

In truth, she had already decided to do so in the coming year, knowing the day would arrive when she and George, Papa’s valet, wouldn’t be able to manage him and her father might need to go away for care, or at least have someone here who could help with him.

“It will be sold and used for your dowry,” her aunt proclaimed. She glanced at her brother-in-law. “He’s in a bad way, Mia. Surely, you can see that.”

Mia knew it. She just hadn’t wanted to admit it. There had been days when Papa hadn’t known who she was. She worried about him hurting himself, especially when he wandered off. Since there’d been no family to turn to, she’d tried to handle everything herself.

“Does Morrison’s nephew know?”

The question startled her. “No. I would never have shared this with Cousin Horatio.”

Her cousin had only visited a handful of times over the years and not once since Mama had died. Since she was an only child and a girl, Horatio would inherit the viscountcy and Morris Park.

“I heard he wed last year.”

Mia nodded. “He did. We received an invitation but the ceremony took place in London. I couldn’t take Papa there. He’s better when he’s around familiar things.” She gestured to herself. “Besides, what would I have worn to a society wedding?”

Aunt Fanny came and wrapped Mia in an embrace. “Oh, my sweet girl. This must have been very hard on you.”

“Papa cared for me when Mama died. It was only natural I should take care of him when he became ill.”

Her aunt stroked her hair. “I, too, should have cared better for you when my sister passed. I blame myself for this situation. If only we hadn’t gone abroad. Oh, well. What’s done is done.” She kissed Mia’s cheek. “Give me the name of your father’s solicitor. I will see that Trentham starts things in motion. We’ll bring Morrison to London. Have him seen by the best doctors. Find someone to come in and care for him. You’ll both live with us. We have a lot of work to do.”

For the first time since her mother’s death, Mia began to cry. She’d been overwhelmed for so long, trying to care for the estate and her father at the same time. Trying to keep his few customers happy and continue creating the inventions he had started years ago and now was too feeble-minded to attend to. She’d had no one to lean on or confide in.

Aunt Fanny pulled out a handkerchief and wiped away Mia’s tears. “Don’t worry, love. You’ll be taken care of. I’ll set everything in motion. Trentham and I will return at the first of the year and see you and Morrison moved to our London home.” She brightened. “Once you’re there, we’ll prepare you for the upcoming Season. You must learn how to dress. Hold a conversation. Dance. It will be difficult and very different from what you’re used to. In the long run, we’ll land you a husband. You will have the life your mother meant for you to live.”

Mia started to say she didn’t want a husband but knew correcting Aunt Fanny wouldn’t go over well. A husband and children were the last things Mia wanted.

Especially since she planned to continue on her chosen path of being an inventor.

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