Page 9 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

“It seems you handle a great deal of the business for him,” he noted, searching for answers to his questions.

“Papa says it’s good for me to prepare the letters of patent. He also allows me to handle estate matters although there’s not much to do. The few tenants we had have left. We aren’t raising any crops or livestock at the moment.”

No wonder things appeared to be neglected. No tenants. Very few servants. Hudson wondered what kind of financial situation Lord Morrison faced. He worried about committing to do business with the man but he certainly liked everything Lady Mia had told him about this prototype.

“Do you have the capacity to speak for your father?” he asked.

“In what way?”

“Your explanation of this machine was very thorough. I am a bit pressed for time and need to travel to London today. I would like to buy your idea for this steam engine. Is it patented yet?”

“Not yet. In the last two days, I’ve tinkered enough to have it where I want it, though.”

“Then I would like to buy the machine and its design outright. Let my solicitor handle the legal process of achieving the patent. Do you believe that would be satisfactory with Lord Morrison?”

She pursed her lips in thought. “What are you offering, Mr. St. Clair?”

He named a price and Lady Mia was not able to disguise her delight.

“That would be for the original design and this prototype. I would also like, at a later date, to have our solicitors work on a contract regarding production. I wish for you and your father to oversee production and testing. We could establish a yearly salary and retainer, for three years to start, and then proceed from there.”

Hudson quoted another price and saw her sway. She stumbled back to the workbench and took a seat. He sat beside her. The cat came and rubbed against her leg and she scratched its head absently, lost in thought.

“Are you all right, Lady Mia?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Papa is the only one with the authority to sign. It is, after all, his invention.”

Something caused Hudson to doubt that. Lady Mia seemed far too knowledgeable about the motor. He believed she had been the one to bring this machine to life, not the viscount. That’s why he had mentioned having both of them under contract. Still, he realized that a female inventor would have been laughed out of England. He could understand why she wished to keep her role in her father’s so-called endeavors quiet. It didn’t matter. Hudson was willing to put them both under contract in order to retain Lady Mia’s services.

“I understand. I do hope he can be found before I must leave.”

She sprang to her feet. “I will go myself and help in the search.”

He rose. “Would you allow me to accompany you?” he offered a second time.

She hesitated and then said, “Yes. I would appreciate that. Only... Mr. St. Clair, I must share with you that Papa is going through a difficult period now. His thinking is a bit... muddled at times. I’ll explain everything you want to him but this might not be one of his good days.” Her lips trembled. “He has a tendency to wander off on these days. When we find him... well, if you’ll just let me do the talking, I’m sure he’ll agree to your proposition.”

“Of course, my lady. You know him well. I bow to your judgment.”

They left the stables and his heart went out to her. He had a clearer picture now. She was a woman who had been raised in almost total isolation and in circumstances which bespoke of heavy financial difficulties. She also had a father with health problems so severe that everything had fallen on her shoulders. Hudson was certain Lady Mia had been the person he had corresponded with. The speech patterns revealed in the letters they had exchanged matched her explanation when she told him about the steam engine.

His admiration for her grew. Yes, she was a great beauty but her life was in disarray now. Being an unmarried woman only added to the problem. As an only child, this estate, even in poor condition, would pass to a male relative. He worried what might happen to her. He must, at some point, make it clear to her that if her father’s capacity for thought has been lost, the St. Clairs were still willing to pay for her expertise. Not only would they benefit financially but Lady Mia would also be taken care of. Having been in a position of never knowing where his next meal might come from, he didn’t want destitution to swallow up this bright spirit.

Before they reached the house, a voice shouted from a distance. A man came running toward them, his face bright red from the exertion.

“It’s Papa’s valet,” she explained. “He may have located Papa.”

They went to meet him. The valet stopped and bent, placing his hands on his thighs as he panted, trying to regain his breath. When he lifted his head, Hudson saw the bad news written across his face.

“Lady Mia, I’m sorry.”

“What’s wrong, George?” she asked sharply.

“It’s his lordship. He... well... he must have been wandering as usual. He went—” The valet’s voice broke. He swallowed and then put on a brave face. “My lady, I found Lord Morrison. In the creek.”

“Oh, no!” she cried. “It’s so cold today. Had he fallen? Was he soaked through? Did you get him back to the house?”

Hudson knew the answer to all her questions. He clasped her elbow and said, “Why don’t we go inside, my lady?”

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