by Alexa Aston
“Trentham!” Aunt Fanny declared. “Do not give her any ideas.”
They arrived and went from the carriage to the receiving line. She noted how coolly Lord and Lady Axelrod greeted her aunt and uncle and knew she was doing the right thing by avoiding attending any future ton events with them. Her uncle headed for the card room, while her aunt found her friend. After introducing the woman to Mia, she excused herself so the two women could catch up.
Mia wandered over to the punch bowl and claimed a cup. Before long, though, several of Hudson’s relatives surrounded her. All women. All determined that she not stand alone as a wallflower.
“I am grateful for the friendship you have offered me,” she told the group. “I am not in society’s good graces, however. I think it best if you all leave and go dance with your husbands.”
“I’d rather stay with you, Lady Mia,” the Duchess of Linfield proclaimed.
“I second that,” Lady Merrick said.
The others murmured in agreement. The musicians began tuning their instruments so she did the only thing she could think of.
“Oh!” she gasped. “If you’ll excuse me, I must go to the retiring room immediately. Please forgive me.”
That was always a good excuse. Even women didn’t mention their monthly courses amongst one another. She did her best by her tone and words to indicate this very thing had happened and she must address it immediately.
Quickly hurrying away, she felt terrible for lying. These were good women, though. Pillars in society, even if they were much kinder than a majority of the ton because they accepted Hudson unconditionally. She loitered in the foyer, which still had a good number of people milling about, and then returned to the ballroom after several minutes of music playing. Sure enough, every kind woman who had surrounded her in a show of support now moved about the dance floor with their husbands. Mia looked around, wondering if she could find some potted plant to hide behind for the duration of the ball. Her last ball to attend. She wasn’t bitter. Only a bit sad. It would have been nice to dance with Hudson St. Clair one more time. He had been among the missing, though, for the past five nights, thanks to whatever business he handled or the fact that he wouldn’t have received an invitation from Lady Axelrod to tonight’s event.
Suddenly, she spied him striding toward her. Her breath hitched. His gaze met hers and never left it as he moved with determination through the ballroom full of people. Mia stood frozen to the spot. Something told her she should run. Hide. Get away. But she didn’t want to. She wanted to see him. He understood her. He made her laugh. He was everything she wanted in a man—and she hadn’t even known she’d wanted one in her life.
Until now.
He reached her and took her hand, raising it and kissing her fingers tenderly. The gesture seemed infinitely intimate when he performed it, unlike others who had done so. He continued holding her hand, his thumb rubbing back and forth, causing those incredible tingles to ripple through her.
“I would ask you to dance but I’m not an invited guest,” he said, his steady gaze never wavering. “At any moment, I’m sure Lord Axelrod will spy me and send an army of footmen to throw me out. Before he can do that, will you leave with me now, Mia?”
He hadn’t called her Lady Mia. He’d called her Mia.
“Yes, Hudson,” she boldly said, watching a slow grin spread across his handsome face. “I think leaving this ball with you is a most excellent idea.”
Offering her his arm, she took it. They walked past dozens of people, including many who’d been dancing and had stopped to watch.
“Where is he taking her?” someone whispered loudly as they moved by.
She turned and looked at him. “Where are you taking me?”
“Away from here.”
Mia smiled.
No one stopped them as they quit the ballroom, though she did see the Duke and Duchess of Everton looking on with approval. They left the townhouse and he waved an arm, whistling shrilly. His carriage pulled up and he opened the door. His hands settled on her waist and he lifted her into it before following behind her and shutting the door. The vehicle took off.
He seated himself as close to her as when they’d ridden in his curricle. She turned to him, thinking him her special white knight, a man of honor who had rescued her from an impossible situation.
Mia threw her arms around him. “Thank you,” she said—and kissed him.
She knew she’d surprised him. Again. It didn’t matter because the moment her lips touched his, she knew it had been the right thing to do.
The kiss started slow and tender. His hands moved to cradle her face, making her feel as if she were some priceless vessel. Her palms went to his chest, loving the feel of it. The kiss was sweet and giving and full of promise. Then he urged her to open to him and she yielded, eager for those previous sensations he’d brought to her. His tongue explored her leisurely, as if he wanted to know everything about her.
His hands drifted from her face to her neck, his fingertips lightly stroking it, causing a delicious shiver to run through her. Suddenly, he lifted her onto his lap, still kissing her and they both laughed. He broke the kiss and smiled at her, making her heart flip, its beating erratic. His mouth moved to her throat, nuzzling it, finding her pulse. His tongue flicked against it, circling it, causing it to beat wildly. His lips slid lower, to the top of her breasts, which peeked out from her neckline. His hands went to her breasts and squeezed and molded them as his tongue ran along the upper curve of one. Mia clutched his shoulders and closed her eyes, her head tossed back as she reveled in his touch.
Then he pushed her gown down and lifted one breast, teasing the nipple with his thumb, swishing it back and forth, driving her mad. She could feel it swelling in his grasp. A throbbing between her legs began, pulsating, calling out for attention. He seemed to know it did because one hand slipped under her skirts and slid up her leg until it reached the apex. His finger slid back and forth along the seam of her sex, causing her to whimper.
He did two things at the same time which caused her to gasp. His head lowered to her breast and his mouth took it in, sucking and pulling on it, his tongue flicking across the nipple. Before she could begin to understand that, he pushed a finger inside her. Inside her! She wriggled, tightening her grasp on his broad, solid shoulders. As his tongue continued teasing her nipple, his finger stroked her. Mia felt her hips rise as a moan escaped her lips.
Hudson lifted his head and pulled her gown back into place.
“Why did you stop?” she asked, gasping.
“Because I want to see your face as I do this.”
A second finger joined the first, stretching her, caressing her. Her eyes widened as her breath came rapidly. Finally, she closed her eyes and shook her head.
“No,” he said, his voice low but commanding. “Open your eyes. I want to watch you as I touch you.”
She whimpered as she opened them, her fingers kneading his shoulders now. She licked her lips.
“Don’t do that,” he warned.
“Why?” she managed to ask.
“Because it makes me want to kiss you.”
“I wouldn’t mind that,” she said weakly.
“Later,” he promised and his fingers now petted and stroked her deeper. She swallowed, panting now, her hips rising and falling, her body no longer in her control but his as his touched drove every rational thought from her head. The he touched somewhere new and she squealed.
“Ah, I’ve found your pearl,” he said, satisfaction in his voice.
His gaze continued to hold hers as his thumb rotated in sensual circles against the nub. Mia felt something burst from her, like water breaking through a dam. It flooded her. Filled her. With color and emotion and waves of immense pleasure that made her cry out.
“Yes,” he urged. “Yes. Ride it, Mia.”
She did until she was spent. Her head fell against his shoulder. Her body trembled with aftershocks. She sighed as her hand clutched his coat.
“I believe I promised you a kiss.”
Hudson delivered on that promise—and then some.
Chapter Sixteen
Hudson finally broke the kiss. Mia realized they were both out of breath. He rapped on the carriage. She assumed that was the signal for his driver to take them to Lord Trentham’s residence.
“I’m afraid I must apologize to you again, Mr. St. Clair. It seems every time I’m full of gratitude, I manage to kiss you.”
She remained on his lap. Though it should seem awkward, it wasn’t. She thought of what this kiss has led to. More than was within the realm of her understanding. His touch had awakened something delicious within her. She wanted more.
She wanted him . . .
Dare she ask him to marry her?
He took her hand and said, “I am happy to accept your gratitude, Mia.”
“You rescued me from a horrible situation. I’ve told you I hate the thought of being on display to strangers. The thing is, Mr. St. Clair, I—”
“Marry me.”
She gasped. Surely, she’d misunderstood him. “What . . . what did you say?”
“I want you to marry me, Mia.”
A thousand emotions poured through her. Did he feel the same way she did? Was he truly wanting her to be his wife?
“I know being ogled by strangers on the Marriage Mart is not what you ever wished for. I know your work is your priority and that you’ve said you never wanted the distraction of a husband or children. You wouldn’t have to be a true wife to me. You could be my friend.”
Mia wasn’t quite sure what he meant. “What are you saying?”
“I’m not asking that you come to my bed. What I am offering is the protection of my name. I know that doesn’t sound like much, being the bastard I am, but St. Clairs stand together. You would have a large family who would befriend you and support you. Unlike other men of the ton, I would never ask that you give up your work. I know how much it means to you.”
He squeezed her hand. “I am wealthy in my own right, Mia. I have invested through the years. Becoming my wife would assure that you never had to worry about money again.” He paused. “I want to take care of you.”
Her throat thickened with tears. He didn’t love her. He didn’t expect her to perform wifely duties. He merely wanted to make sure that she could continue her work. Mia should appreciate what he was saying but his words cut her deeply.
When she hesitated to speak, he said, “I want you to maintain your independence. I can have Davidson draw up a contract that gives you sole ownership of any invention you now possess or any future ones you create. Don’t think I’m marrying you out of avarice, Mia. Yes, I recognize your genius and hope you will sell future viable inventions to the St. Clairs. It’s not why I wish to wed you, though. I want to give you the freedom to be who you are. Live the life that you choose.
“If you marry me, you can have that.”
Tears welled in her eyes. Hudson St. Clair was giving her a remarkable opportunity, with no strings attached. She wouldn’t legally be at a man’s mercy. He didn’t want her inventions or the money she had already earned from them. He didn’t need it. He was merely being kind in offering her his name—and the chance to continue as she had, while cheering her on as her friend.
The trouble was, she no longer wanted the life he described. Yes, she still wanted to keep scribbling down her ideas and bringing them to fruition. But a part of her wanted to become a woman in every sense of that word. She wanted that kind of life with him. Where she was his wife. The woman who bore his children. Even though he offered her freedom, she would never truly soar unless she joined with him physically.
If she turned him down, she would never have a chance with him again. Instinct told her so.
What if she said yes? Agreed to his idea of a marriage of convenience, one without any physical intentions involved. She had kissed him twice—and he’d responded both times. Mia sensed he did desire her but thought he did her a favor by eliminating that part of marriage. After all, she had come out rather strongly by telling him she never wanted a husband or children.
But a woman could change her mind. And this one had.
“Yes. I will marry you,” she said calmly though her heart raced like a horse running in the wind. Once they were wed, she would figure out a way to change his mind.
The carriage began to slow and she knew they were almost home. Hudson leaned close and pressed a soft kiss on her mouth.
“To seal our bargain,” he said. “All I need to do now is ask permission from your aunt and uncle.”
He lifted her from his lap and set her on the seat next to him.
She sniffed. “I am legally an adult. I don’t need their permission.”
“No,” he said. “But you want them to give it. Since you do, I want it, too.”
Soames admitted them to the townhouse and said, “Lord and Lady Trentham await you in the library, my lady.”
“Thank you, Soames. Mr. St. Clair will accompany me. There’s no need to announce him.”
She tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led him upstairs. She already knew Aunt Fanny would be upset because of their previous conversation regarding Hudson. Mia only hoped her uncle would be in her corner and try to stem the tide.
The couple sat in chairs near the fire but rose when they spied their guest. As they approached, Mia saw hurt and disappointment on her aunt’s face. Her uncle winked, surprising her.
“Good evening, Lord Trentham, Lady Trentham,” Hudson said. “I have come to ask your permission to wed your niece.”
“She doesn’t have much of a choice now, does she, Mr. St. Clair?” Aunt Fanny said. “Thanks to you, her chances of a suitable match went out the window tonight when you dragged her from the ballroom.”
“Aunt Fanny!” Mia chided. “That’s absurd.”
“This man—”
“Quiet, my dear,” her uncle said, causing his wife to go still.
Mia had never heard a cross word between the pair. She didn’t want to be the cause of any conflict between them.
“Mia never wanted a Season,” Uncle Trentham said gently. “She only went along with it because I asked her to do so. She has important work to do, creating devices that might change this world of ours. She wasn’t looking for a husband.” He looked up at Hudson. “But it seems one sought her out all the same.”
“Is this true, Mia?” Aunt Fanny asked.
“Yes, Aunt,” she admitted. “I know you felt awful when Mama died and you and Uncle left England. You wanted to make up to me all that I’d missed but I didn’t miss a thing. While you were gone, I led a happy, satisfying life in the country, doing work that I love. My intentions all along were to endure a Season and then continue with my work.” She paused. “Until Mr. St. Clair came along.”
“You won’t be accepted into society if you wed him, Mia,” her aunt insisted.
“I don’t really care about the ton. I find them shallow and boring.”
“But working, Mia? It sounds so . . . common.”
“Work is something the women in my family excel at,” Hudson said. “One of my sisters is a landscape designer. The other raises money and volunteers at the Linfield School. I have a sister-in-law who is a children’s author and another who owns a bookstore and tearoom. They all are doing something they love and their husbands support their endeavors, my lady. I know they will be thrilled Mia is coming into the fold.”
“These women are already my friends, Aunt Fanny. There are several St. Clairs. If I only go to their social events and celebrate special occasions with family, I will be more than busy.”
“You truly don’t mind that she’s an inventor, Mr. St. Clair?” Aunt Fanny asked.
He looked at Mia and smiled. “It’s what attracted me to her, Lady Trentham. Mia has a fine mind.”
“Well, she’s also very beautiful,” her aunt pointed out to Hudson.
He chuckled. “Yes. She is. Very beautiful, both inside and out.”
Her uncle caught her eyes and smiled. Mia remembered he’d told her if she found a man who saw beyond her physical beauty, that he was the one for her.
“Mia is of age and needs no permission from us to wed, Mr. St. Clair,” Uncle Trentham said. “However, you have our blessings, don’t they, Fanny?”
Her aunt nodded begrudgingly.
“Your niece will have everything she asks for, my lady,” Hudson said. “I may be illegitimate but I have accumulated a fortune. Mia will never lack for anything. I’ll see to that.”
Aunt Fanny looked slightly mollified. “You do have the support of your family, it seems.”
“Yes. Two dukes, a marquess, an earl and their wives. Between all of them, and their friends, I know Mia will live a full, rewarding life.”
Aunt Fanny embraced her. “If Mr. St. Clair makes you happy, that is all that matters.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I hope I make him happy, too.”
“We need to talk about the wedding. When will it happen?” her aunt asked.
Mia looked to Hudson. “I’d like to wed within the week,” he said. “I can obtain a special license tomorrow. Since all my family is in London for the Season, it would make more sense to marry here. Is that all right with you?” he asked her.
“Yes.”
“I’m sure we can hold the ceremony and wedding breakfast in the same place. If you don’t have a preference, I can talk with my family.” He grinned. “Actually, the moment I tell them we are to wed, the details will be swept from my hands. An army of women will plan the joyous occasion. I know they will seek your input. Yours, as well, Lady Trentham.”
Aunt Fanny looked pleased. “When might we meet them?”
“I’ll rally the troops and we can have tea tomorrow afternoon at my older brother’s residence.”
“The Duke of Everton?” Aunt Fanny asked.
“Yes. Come for tea at four. You can meet everyone then and you ladies can plan away,” Hudson said. He stood. “I should be going.”