The Surgeon and the Princess by Karin Baine (ebook reader with android os .TXT) 📕

detection,’ he said, pulling up outside the clinic. It wasn’t too far from the palace, making the whole escapade easier.

‘This must be a novelty for you.’

‘What?’ It was all new to her—sneaking around, getting out of the palace and being around someone who wasn’t family or military.

‘Using the tradesman’s entrance. I imagine you’re used to red carpets and the smell of fresh paint everywhere you go.’

‘You mean you haven’t been redecorating to an appropriate standard for my arrival? Tut-tut.’ Getting out of the front of the car was slightly easier so she wasn’t as defensive as she was earlier. In fact she was almost beginning to enjoy her time out with the consultant. He wasn’t as annoying when not telling her what to do or making out he knew what was best for her. How long that would last now they were in his territory, she had no idea.

‘As I said, this was late notice or, you know, we would’ve held a reception for you.’ He countered her sarcasm with some of his own and opened up the clinic, leaving Georgiana to get out of the car on her own.

She wondered if this was how he behaved around most women or if this was just for her. He looked like a door opener, a ‘take a woman’s hand and help her out of the car’ gentleman. She thought more of him for sparing her blushes and realising she’d hate him to do that for her. That courteous gesture in other circumstances wouldn’t have bothered her but these days it simply reminded her she couldn’t do the simple things on her own.

Given their short history there was a possibility he was just rude in keeping his back to her until she managed to get back on her feet.

‘How did your partner take the news about me using this place out of hours?’ She wasn’t so obtuse she didn’t realise this was unorthodox and the clinic wouldn’t get the publicity they’d probably otherwise prefer. Edward had mentioned being late because of their meeting and Georgiana hoped she wasn’t the cause of any fallout.

Now she paused to think about it, having her here would be more of a headache than a bonus to their business. It made her wonder why on earth Edward had suggested it. Especially when she’d taken him for the type to avoid any hassle that could impede his freedom.

‘He’s fine with it. As long as I’m the one putting in the extra hours to accommodate our new guest.’ He flashed her a smile as he let her into the premises to show her he didn’t mind. It only served to make her feel worse about the way she’d treated him thus far when he was going out of his way to accommodate her.

They’d come to a compromise over her use of the equipment so there was no misunderstanding over their roles here. She wasn’t going to be a paying client, thus Edward wouldn’t have any input into what she was doing. There would be no doctor/patient relationship. This was a favour.

Whatever his reasons, it was difficult for her to believe anyone could be so altruistic. She’d been through so much, trust wasn’t something she gave easily. Life with her parents had made her guarded and her injuries had made her even more so. In the army she’d been forced to rely on others, at times put her life in their hands. She’d had to do the same with the hospital team who’d saved her after the blast. This was different and Edward was still virtually a stranger. Surely, she was right to be wary?

She could thank him, tell him not to put himself out on her account but that made it sound as though she owed him something.

‘Good. I wouldn’t want any disgruntled staff selling me out to the papers to get the clinic some publicity.’ She walked on in, doing her best to exude that self-entitled, regal air despite her current outward appearance.

‘No. You have my word on that score. Privacy is very important here. Now, let me give you the tour.’ The sincere comment combined with his unflinching eye contact made her believe him. That unwavering blue-eyed gaze also caused the hairs to stand up on the back of her neck. For a moment she was lost, swimming in that azure sea without a care in the world. Then he rested his hand on her elbow to gently guide her and jolted her back to the present.

Etiquette around members of the royal family included a ‘no touching’ rule. One she should be enforcing right now. Except it had been a long time since she’d felt that human connection. In hospital she’d detested being poked and prodded and having her limbs manipulated. No control over her own body. Being back home she’d been so focused on getting better, in private, she’d starved herself of basic human interaction. It was nice to have someone touch her so casually without it being a big issue.

CHAPTER THREE

‘WE’VE DONE EXTENSIVE research on the best equipment for someone living with a disability.’ Edward was proudly showing off the fitness machines in the shiny gym but his last word was a slap across the face to Georgiana.

She still thought of invalids being those who’d suffered a serious stroke or a spinal-cord injury. Even other people who’d had amputations, but not her. Despite the permanency of her loss she continued to see her situation as a temporary problem she could solve with a lot of hard work. Other people might call it denial but she knew it was her mental strength that would get her back to her physical peak along with the training.

‘A lot of this I already have at home.’ She picked up one of the dumbbells from the bench with ease. The weights and resistance bands were crucial to strengthening her upper body so she could support those weaker areas during exercise.

‘I know, and I’m not saying you should stop your