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

didn’t know what had prompted an official royal visit but he was smiling from ear to ear because of it.

She was agreeing enthusiastically with whatever the teenage girl next to her was saying and gave her a hug before straightening up again. That was when Ed caught her eye. His breath caught somewhere between his lungs and his throat when she beamed back at him.

‘Sorry about all the disruption, Mr Lawrence. I was coming to pay you a visit but the parents decreed I bring the circus to town with me this time.’ She shrugged apologetically.

‘No problem. We can go to my office if you want. I think there’s room for your bodyguards.’ After their last encounter he wouldn’t be surprised if she’d brought them along for protection from him.

‘I’m sure we can manage a conversation without them.’ Her knowing wink said she knew exactly what he was referring to but she wasn’t holding anything against him. More was the pity.

‘You know where to find me when you’re ready.’ He began to make his way back to his office, expecting her to take her time with her appreciative audience. Those clamouring to meet her were sure to give her a confidence boost after her time out of the limelight. It was also a good trial run to stabilise her nerves before her big night.

‘Thanks, everyone. It’s lovely to meet you all. I hope to see you again soon,’ he heard her say before following him down the corridor.

Her minders were herding the crowd back, giving her some room for a conversation in private. It was only on seeing her in action that Ed remembered who it was he was dealing with. Georgiana Ashley was a princess and he’d had the audacity to kiss her like a man possessed.

He kept a few steps ahead, so he was able to make some attempt at tidying his desk before she came in.

‘Take a seat,’ he said, pointing to the chair on the other side of the desk, maintaining an acceptable distance between them.

She closed the door and sat down. ‘This wasn’t supposed to be a whole “thing”. This is why I resorted to sneaking out. It’s much less hassle.’

‘But this is safer. I do think you’ve made everyone’s day here. Including Giles. You know news of this visit is going to spread like wildfire?’ So far she’d been so opposed to the idea of people even knowing she was back in the country they’d been playing hide and seek with palace security. This move was on the very opposite end of that scale.

‘I’m aware of that. Why do you think I didn’t turn up in my workout gear?’ She rapped her knuckles on the prothesis hidden beneath her trousers.

‘I suppose it will garner interest leading up to the fundraising campaign.’ People were going to want to know why she’d come to this specific clinic and, as much as he didn’t want her to get hurt, they needed the publicity. Every penny counted in helping these families.

‘I thought that too.’

‘Oh.’ He was at a loss for words that she’d gone to all this trouble in person when they’d been conducting all of their conversations over the phone since the last time they’d been alone in here.

‘I thought I’d pop in and say hello before the big night. I wasn’t sure what you’d be wearing, though, when you said we’d be colour co-ordinated. I’m wearing blue, so does that mean you’ll be in a blue bow tie and cummerbund or were you going to go the whole hog in a matching sky-blue tuxedo?’ Teasing him with that mischievous look on her face wasn’t doing anything to prevent him wanting to kiss her again.

‘I was thinking head-to-toe blue. Maybe with a side split in the trousers.’ One kiss and he was completely gaga over her. He was pretty sure he wasn’t managing to hide it either.

‘Should I come pick you up? Hire a limousine? Buy a corsage?’ He hadn’t been on the dating scene for a while and he didn’t know the etiquette for courting a princess. Not that they were dating, but he would be escorting her.

She was laughing at him again. He obviously wasn’t cut out for the escort business either. ‘It’s not the prom, Ed, and I live at the palace, remember? I’ll see you there.’

‘Right. I’ll get there early to help with the catering or whatever else needs doing.’

‘There’s no need. My parents have everything in hand. They’ve been very supportive with regard to the event.’

Ed didn’t know if he’d ever not be preoccupied again when in the same room as Georgiana, that kiss never to be forgotten.

‘It sounds as though you’re making real roads to getting your relationship back on track. Excellent news. I’m so pleased for you.’ If she had her parents to turn to again the onus would no longer be on him to provide support and that was what he wanted, wasn’t it? That he wasn’t spending so much time thinking about her. Then why did he have a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, thinking this gala night could be the end of something beautiful?

‘Speaking of which, I should get back and help organise the flower arrangements, seating and all of those important details my mother will be freaking out about.’ She rose to go and, as good manners decreed, Ed stood to open the door for her. Before she left she placed a hand lightly on his chest and kissed him on the cheek. A barely there, ghost of kisses past, which still managed to make a significant impact. She hesitated to move away and Ed held his breath. If she decided to kiss him again he was no stronger to resist than he had been the last time.

When she did step back and finally walk away all the oxygen in the room and in his lungs went with her.

He was in big, big trouble.

CHAPTER NINE

‘I THOUGHT YOU might like to wear