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

Georgiana stood by the window, creating a space between her and the people about to walk into the room.

‘There’s someone I’d like you to meet, Hannah.’ Ed’s voice filtered in first.

Georgiana took a deep breath.

Four more faces entered the room. One familiar and smiling, a little suspicious one and two open-mouthed and staring.

She swallowed down the anxiety threatening to choke her and moved forward with her hand outstretched. ‘Hi, I’m Georgiana.’

The woman with the small child clinging to her like a koala was completely still, her gaze fixed on Georgiana.

Ed stepped forward to break the awkward moment of recognition. ‘Georgiana, this is Hannah and her parents, Phil and Kate Howell.’

It was Phil who finally shook her hand. ‘Pleased to meet you.’

‘But you’re, you’re—’ Kate’s reaction to meeting a member of the royal family wasn’t unusual but this was the first time Georgiana had faced it since her time in the army. She wasn’t used to it any more.

Ed discreetly closed the door behind the family. ‘Hannah, Georgiana is a princess and she has a poorly leg just like you.’

They’d discussed introductions before the family arrived and she’d agreed that for once her royal status might prove helpful. By all accounts Hannah was obsessed with princesses and happy-ever-afters. Georgiana knew something about one of those things at least.

Although the little girl didn’t seem convinced, her eyes narrowed and mouth pouting. ‘She doesn’t look like a princess.’

The words, though they’d come from a child, still struck her where it hurt most. Out of the mouths of babes, the truth was inescapable. Georgiana was a freak.

‘Well, the princess is here to exercise. She wears her ball gowns and tiaras at home in the palace.’ Ed was grinning at her and that urge to run and hide gradually died away.

Of course, she didn’t look like a princess to a four-year-old who believed in fairy tales. In Hannah’s head Georgiana should have long thick glossy hair, a perfect body and always be ready to accompany a handsome prince to a ball at the chime of the bells. She was the anti-princess. Ed, however, would’ve been perfect cast in the handsome prince role.

‘Sorry, Hannah. This is how I am most days but I promise I do live in a palace.’ It seemed absurd to be bragging about such a thing when she’d spent most of her life resenting it but, for once, this wasn’t about her. When someone was in need, she would work with whatever she had in her kit to make them better. In this situation her heritage might prove more effective than a first-aid pack.

Hannah looked to her mum for guidance. ‘Is she really a princess?’

Mrs Howell nodded. ‘She really is.’ Then she turned and whispered to Ed, ‘Should we curtsey or something?’

‘That’s really not necessary. I’m just here to have a chat with Hannah. I hear you had a big operation the same as mine.’ She saw the girl staring at her prosthetic and decided to bite the bullet. Pulling a chair over, she sat down and proceeded to remove her false leg.

Hannah’s eyes widened as she removed the protective sock off the end of her stump. Georgiana couldn’t bring herself to glance at Ed even though he’d seen her at her most vulnerable. Instead, she addressed the parents, who wouldn’t have been aware of the circumstances leading to this.

‘I’d appreciate it if you could keep this private. I’m still coming to terms with the injuries I sustained during my time in service and I’d prefer not to have the press hounding me during my recovery.’

‘Of course.’

‘We read about you joining the army but had no idea you’d been involved in active duty. Much less injured. I’m so sorry.’

It was daft but Mr and Mrs Howell’s understanding and compassion made her well up. Usually any display of sympathy angered her, making her feel as though she was a figure to be pitied. Here, though, these people understood the implications and difficulties since they were going through the same with their daughter. They were the first civilians she’d shared this with and it was a hugely significant step for her. One that she wouldn’t have taken without a push from Ed.

Seeing their honest, thoughtful reaction, she had a lot to thank him for. Perhaps her ‘coming out’ wouldn’t be as bad as she’d feared.

‘Why don’t you take a seat?’ Ed urged them forward and it was something of a relief to all be on the same level with no distinction between abilities or class.

Hannah was squirming in her mother’s arms and making unhappy noises until she was set down on the floor. She shuffled on her bottom across the carpet towards Georgiana. Without saying a word she looked at her own stump, then at Georgiana’s, comparing the two. She could obviously see the similarities despite the difference in size.

When Hannah reached out to touch her stump it was all she could do not to leap into the air. It didn’t hurt, not any more, but that intimate recognition of how her body had changed remained a sore point.

She held her breath as the tiny hand explored the scarred tissue for what seemed an eternity.

‘Hannah, you should have asked for permission first. I’m so sorry, Miss Ashley.’ The girl’s mother went to pull her back but Georgiana put a hand up to stop her.

‘It’s fine. She’s curious, that’s all.’ There was no judgement being made, only a childish fascination she shouldn’t take offence at.

Suddenly the little girl took hold of her hand and tugged it. Georgiana eased herself out of the chair so she could sit on the floor with her, their legs stretched out almost mirroring each other’s.

Still holding Georgiana’s hand, she placed it on her little stump where her leg used to be. The gesture took her by surprise. It was the connection everyone had been waiting for. A reminder that she wasn’t alone. There were so many like her and Hannah, adults