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

‘Excuse the mess. I’m working on something.’ Ed made an attempt to tidy away the papers littering his desk and the floor but she’d seen enough for the guilt to surface.

‘You should’ve said you were swamped with paperwork. I’d never have dreamed of taking you away from work if I’d known.’ Not that she’d given him a chance to explain he didn’t have time to entertain her tonight. Looking back, she’d dictated what he was doing and at what time. Perhaps she’d inherited a smidgen of that self-centred streak from her parents after all.

‘It’s fine. Take a seat. It’s just a charity idea I’m working on. Nothing that can’t wait.’ He pulled a chair over for her and placed the ice pack gently on the back of her head where she’d hit the floor.

Georgiana flinched as the cold compress met the tender area on her scalp. ‘What’s the charity? Is this something the clinic is championing?’

‘No, it’s a personal venture of mine. A children’s charity for young amputees. New limbs aren’t dished out as and when they’re needed. There’s a budget, a limit on what these kids can have. Generally, that means nothing fancy and it certainly doesn’t cover sports blades or water limbs. The government, much the same as my business partner, tends to deal in figures rather than human stories.’ He handed her a sheaf of papers with the smiling faces of children beaming out from the stark white sheets of A4.

‘These are patients of yours?’

‘Some. Others are possible candidates who could benefit from the scheme. Not everyone can afford private healthcare, but I want this available to all. If we can get the funding. I have a list of potential donors but I’m having trouble finding somewhere willing to host a gala dinner where I can present my ideas and secure some business sponsors. Not everyone wants to support a worthy cause if they’re not making money from it themselves.’

Georgiana watched disappointment gradually cloud the absolute joy that had been on Ed’s face when he was talking about the subject. It seemed such a shame for the whole thing to stall at the start line when such a great idea could do so much good. She’d seriously underestimated this man and his good intentions. It put her to shame when she was in a position of some influence and chose to hide rather than help the less fortunate as Ed was doing. Although she wasn’t ready to put herself out there personally, there was something she could do to contribute and to pay him back for his generosity and compassion towards her. It apparently hadn’t crossed his mind to ask her for help or even advice on the subject.

‘Why don’t I ask my parents if you could host the event at the palace? I’m sure they’d be happy to contribute in some way even if it is just to donate the use of the ballroom for one night.’

‘Do you think so? That would be amazing. Thank you so much. I can give you all the information you need to convince them.’ He began to scoop up armfuls of papers in preparation.

Georgiana laughed at his childlike enthusiasm, though it was pleasing to see him so passionate for the cause he’d chosen to support. Not many put themselves out for others. Especially when they had a workload as big as he apparently had. ‘I’m sure knowing it’s your brainchild will be enough supporting evidence for my mother to give the go-ahead. I’ll run it past her tomorrow and let you know.’

‘Thank you so much. You don’t know how much this means to me.’ Judging by the width of his smile, she had a fair idea. It also gave her a little glow inside to know she’d contributed to something positive. The first time since her return home.

As they made their way back out to Ed’s car, Georgiana had a real sense of making progress tonight. This was the extra push she needed to truly get back everything she’d lost and she was grateful a persistent Ed had stumbled across her in the palace after all.

CHAPTER FOUR

ED KICKED HIS chair out from his desk and stretched with a yawn.

‘Did your princess keep you up all night?’ Giles was standing in the doorway, grinning at having caught him in a rare moment of visible fatigue.

‘Something like that.’ He lifted his coffee cup and took a sip only to find he’d let it go cold.

‘I don’t suppose you’re going to admit to taking too much on with this?’

Ed looked enviously at the mug Giles was cradling in his hands, steam curling up into the air and wafting the smell of freshly ground coffee beans towards his nostrils.

‘Never,’ he insisted, regardless that he was so tired he could have slept where he was sitting. Giles didn’t need to know what had happened last night with Georgiana. He’d only worry they’d get sued by the royal family for health and safety violations. Although, he doubted she’d want anyone to know about her tumble when she was embarrassed enough that he’d been there to witness it.

In a way he was glad he had been there, not only to help her, but to provide the emotional support she so clearly needed too.

Besides, it wasn’t Georgiana’s fault he was so tired today. What was supposed to have been a brief stop at his parents’ house had gone on longer than expected when he’d discovered some loose carpeting at the top of their stairs. He wouldn’t have slept at all for worrying if he hadn’t taken the time to nail it back in place. If either of them had tripped and fallen he’d never have forgiven himself.

Giles slurped his coffee and Ed was sure he was doing it only to make him jealous. He wasn’t the kind of person to make enough for anyone else who might be in dire need.

‘It’s just that you’ve been mainlining caffeine since you got here and I’m sure you’re wearing