by Alexa Aston
“I hope you’ll enjoy the place,” Bromwell said.
“We plan to,” Hudson assured him.
As her husband led her outside, he asked, “Would you like to go see our house, Mrs. St. Clair?”
“I would, indeed, Mr. St. Clair.”
When they arrived, Mia said, “We should tell our new neighbors that we’re moving in tomorrow. Why don’t you go see Laurel and I’ll tell Caroline?”
“Agreed.”
Mia found Caroline and Luke at tea and shared the good news.
“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 Mia dress 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. “I am messy. 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.
George was summoned and the carriage readied, Charlie riding back to the scene with them. They rode in silence, Mia heartsick.
They arrived and saw the blaze had been almost contained, though fire still burned at the north end of the building. The area where her workshop had stood was now rubble.
“Go to His Grace,” Hudson instructed Charlie. “Tell him what has occurred. Have George drive you there.”
“Yes, Mr. St. Clair.” Charlie hurried away.
Hudson turned to her. “I’m so sorry, Mia. I had no idea something like this could ever occur.” He embraced her. Being in his arms brought some comfort to her.
“I’ll just start again,” she said. “George will help me recreate what we can. I’ll certainly make copies in the future and keep them at home.”
Mr. Garson, the warehouse manager, and Mr. Willis joined them.
Willis said, “It was definitely set, Mr. St. Clair. We found evidence to that effect and also the night watchman . . .” His voice trailed off as he looked at Mia and sadly shook his head.
“The St. Clairs have always had enemies,” Hudson said. “We’ll need to figure out who would want to hurt us.” He looked at Garson. “What about the factory?”
“It’s fine. Production is continuing as we speak. It’s the first place I checked once the fire brigade arrived.”
“I want extra guards placed there,” Hudson instructed. “Not only during the day but surrounding the place at night.”
“Yes, Mr. St. Clair. “I’ll coordinate with the factory’s manager,” Garson promised.
“Keep me posted, Garson.”
Garson and Willis left. Mia felt such a sense of loss. It had been difficult losing her father but this was her life’s work. Still, she was young. She had a new, large place in which to conduct her experiments. More importantly, she had the love of this good man.
“It will be all right,” he assured her.
“I know it will.”
“We don’t have to move today,” he told her.
“No, I want to. It will give me something to occupy myself. I’d rather stay busy.”
He kissed her brow. “If that’s what you want.”
“I’ll have George take me home,” she said. “I know you’ll be busy here for some time.”
“Hudson! Mia!” Jeremy called as he approached them. “Thank God you are all right.” He glanced at what was left of the smoldering building. “Garson said it was arson. I’ve sent for several Bow Street Runners.”
“Good,” Hudson said. “Let me get Mia on her way home and we can talk about it.”
As they started toward the carriage, she heard a loud yowl and turned. A streak of orange bounded through the air and landed in her arms.
“Nelson!” she cried happily. “Oh, my sweet boy.” She covered his head in kisses. “You’re going to my new workspace. Or better yet, our home.” She looked apprehensively at Hudson.
He laughed and scratched the cat’s head. “I’m all in favor of Nelson coming to live with us. He’ll have dozens of rooms to explore.”
Hudson led her back to the carriage. “Send word here if you have need of me,” he said.
“I will.” Mustering a smile, she added, “Don’t forget to come home to the right house tonight.”
Hudson kissed her and handed her into the carriage. As George pulled away, Mia waved to her husband. Once o
ut of sight, she allowed her tears to flow as she stroked the cat in her lap.
By the time they reached home, Mia saw a group of servants gathered in front, along with several wagons. She apologized, explaining that the warehouse had caught on fire and she and Hudson had been tied up there. She assured them that she wanted to continue with the move today and escorted the workers inside. With George’s help, she broke the servants into smaller groups, showing them what would need to be moved and what should remain behind.
Mia had the two women who’d come to accompany her to the bedchamber in order to pack Hudson’s things. She’d had George leave her trunks by the doorway so that streamlined their transport.
By now, Annie had arrived and Mia told her that once the rooms were emptied of the furniture going to the townhouse, the maid could start a deep cleaning.
“Everything, Annie. From baseboards up.”
Mia was glad the girl would be staying with them. She had planned to have Annie come here once a week and do a bit of cleaning around the experiments. George insisted he would sweep up and keep things in order, though.
The servants moved quickly, packing the wagons and leaving for Mayfair, one of the women carrying Nelson with her in a basket.
“I’ll see he’s fed, Mrs. St. Clair,” the maid promised. “He’ll be waiting for you at your new home.”
Mia surveyed what had been left behind and then sat with George and composed of list of what equipment needed to be purchased.
“I can go get what we need now, Mrs. St. Clair. Fresh notebooks, too. I know you’ll be scribbling new ideas in no time.” He paused. “Would you like me to drop you at the new house first?”
She thought a moment. “No. I’d rather stay here for a while. If I wish to go to Mayfair before you return, I can always take a hansom cab. If I’m not here when you return, then be at the new place at seven tomorrow morning. We’ll have a full day ahead of us.”
They had already discussed that since George was her assistant, he could remain living at Hudson’s rooms. With what had happened at the warehouse, Mia was especially glad someone would be on the property at night.
She walked out to the carriage with him. “Thank you again for everything, George.”
“Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Don’t you worry. We’ll get our laboratory up and running in record time. I’ll have everything set up for you tomorrow when you arrive.”
She watched him leave, knowing how efficient he was. When she arrived tomorrow, it would be a new chapter in her life.
As Mia turned to go inside again, a carriage pulled up next to her. She paused, wondering who would be coming to call.
The door opened in front of her. To her amazement, she saw her cousin and his wife sitting inside.
The viscount leaned toward the open door and said, “I heard you had some difficulties today, Cousin Mia.”
She knew instantly this man had been responsible for the warehouse fire. Hudson had promised to destroy Morrison—so the viscount had struck first.
Before she could accuse him, he raised a pistol and pointed it at her. “Get in, Cousin,” he ordered.
Fear filled her. The footman latched on to her elbow and forced her up the steps he’d set into place. Mia sat opposite Lord and Lady Morrison, her heart racing as the door closed. The vehicle started up.
“I know Hudson bought up your markers,” she said. “I didn’t know until yesterday. I told him not to call them in. He won’t. I promise. He’ll tear them up.”
“That’s good news,” Morrison said jovially. No mirth reached his eyes, though. They looked like dark pools of death.
“Stop the carriage,” Mia said calmly. “You know now that you won’t have to pay these gambling debts. I give you my word.”
“The carriage won’t be stopping,” Lady Morrison said. “We need you for other things.”
“What?” she asked, dread filling her.
Lord Morrison smiled coldly. “We hear you are an inventor. That you sold an engine and made a great deal of money on it. I’m sure it was your father’s creation, Mia. That means it and the monies you received for it belong to our estate.”
“No,” she said firmly. “Papa had nothing to do with it. His mind wasn’t right for several years. The engine was my design.”
“And the notebooks?” the viscount asked.
“How do you know about them?”
“My husband and I know you stole them from Morris Park. They are a part of his inheritance.”
“They are mine!” she said angrily. “Or they were—until you had them burned, along with the warehouse.”
Morrison looked at his wife. “See? I told you she was clever.” He turned to Mia. “And I’m clever enough to have them retrieved before the building was set afire.” He paused, letting his words sink in. “We now possess your notebooks, my dear cousin. All that is contained in them is ours. We’ll make a fortune from what lies in those pages.”
“You have no idea how to read what’s in them,” she said.
“You’re right. I don’t possess that kind of knowledge.” His smile chilled her. “But you do.”
“I have no desire to interpret anything in them for you. Take me home at once,” she demanded.
“You aren’t going anywhere.” The viscountess leaned over and slapped Mia. “You are going to be our permanent guest. And your inventions are going to make us wealthy.”
She wanted to cradle her stinging face but didn’t want to show any weakness before this pair. Instead, she said, “You are mad to think I would lift a finger to help you. My husband will tear you limb from limb, Morrison.”
“Oh, I think you’ll do whatever we say,” Lady Morrison purred. “Or we’ll set him ablaze as he sleeps. Barricade the doors so he can’t escape. Think of him burning to death. His flesh melting as he screams for mercy.”
Horror filled Mia. She looked at the two monsters before her, knowing they would do exactly as they threatened. She couldn’t risk Hudson’s life. Couldn’t have him murdered at their hands.
“I’ll do whatever you ask.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Hudson and Jeremy returned to the offices of the St. Clairs and informed Matthew of what had occurred. Copies of the records of what was stored at the warehouse were kept here. Hudson had required it for easy reference. He could have kicked himself for not insisting that Mia also make copies of her journals. Though she had told him she would start anew, he knew losing years of research had gutted her.
Messages were sent and all the men in the family had gathered at the offices to discuss the situation and how to proceed. They now sat around a large table in the conference room.
Jeremy told them of the night watchman’s death and how he had already visited the man’s widow.
“She and their two children will be cared for,” he said. “I have guaranteed to see to their education and the funeral expenses.”
“Does anyone have an idea who might have done this?” Luke asked.
“I do,” Hudson said.
He explained how Morrison had turned Mia out with the clothes on her back and then burned all the inventions that hadn’t left the property yet.
“I want to punish him for what he did to her. He’s deeply in debt so I purchased all his markers from the various gambling hells he frequents. Two nights ago, I confronted him at the tables and told him I possessed the markers and would call them in. He wagered heavily that night—and lost.”
He sighed. “When I told Mia what I had done, she asked that I not call in the debt. That Morrison was addicted to gambling and he would dig his own grave without my seeking revenge. I agreed but hadn’t sent word to the bastard. With the fire being set the night after our conversation, I feel certain he’s behind it.”
“We need to confront him,” Evan said as Anthony slammed his fist into his palm several times, looking ready for a fight.
“Mr. St. Clair?” a voice called out from the doorway.
He turned and saw Easle
y, the Bow Street Runner he’d hired to investigate Morrison.
“Come in.”
Hudson introduced Easley to the group and let the agent give a quick summary of what he’d learned about Morrison. When the Runner mentioned the Pleasure Palace and how children were used, the group’s disgust was obvious.
“I’d hoped to shut it down,” he said. Looking to Anthony, Hudson added, “I was hoping that Laurel’s orphanage could take in some of the children. At least the ones who might trust us enough to see to their welfare.”
“We can arrange that,” his brother-in-law said. “If any of them don’t wish to be sent to an orphanage, I’m sure between the five of us that we could find positions for them in our households.”
“I sent for Mr. Easley once I arrived on site and saw the warehouse had been destroyed,” Hudson continued. “I had him go to the Morrison’s London residence to keep watch. Have you learned anything?”
“I saw their coach leave. Both the viscount and viscountess were inside. Trunks were stored on top. I spoke to an assistant groom. He told me the viscount and viscountess were going to the country.”
“In the middle of the Season?” Evan asked. “That sounds very unlike either of them.”
“Perhaps Morrison thinks if I can’t find him, I can’t call in his debt.”
“The groom told me the servants haven’t been paid in weeks. He sounded as if he might look for another position with his employers gone,” Easley added.
“We should pay a visit to Viscount Morrison,” Luke said grimly. “Where is his seat located?”
“In Surrey. Not far from London,” Hudson said. “Only a two-hour ride by horse.”
“It might draw too much attention if all five of us show up on horseback,” Evan said. “People love to gossip. If we arrive in an anonymous-looking carriage, though, it would easily pass through the nearest town and continue to the estate without attracting much attention.”
“We can use mine,” he said. “George is the soul of discretion and tremendously loyal to Mia. If things get ugly, no gossip will come from him.”
“Very well,” Jeremy said, consulting his pocket watch. “It’s two hours until teatime. Let’s meet at my house with our wives. They won’t want to be left out of this and may even have an idea how we can approach the Morrisons.”