The Surgeon and the Princess Karin Baine (websites to read books for free .TXT) 📖

home training. The extra work you do here is to supplement that. We have the arm cycles, for example. There are the free-standing machines you can use with or without seats depending on how much you rely on your wheelchair.’

‘I don’t need a wheelchair.’ She’d hated that thing from the very first moment she’d been pushed around in it like some helpless infant. The one thing it had done for her was to spur her on to her first milestone: to be able to get out of it. Some didn’t have an option but knowing she could walk on her own if she worked hard enough had been a powerful motivator. Sure, there were some days she was in pain, when it would be easier to give in and use it for getting mobile. On those bad days she’d use her crutches so there was some support but she still had to work at it.

Edward held his hands up. ‘Hey, there’s no judgement here and absolutely no shame in using them. A lot of our patients are wheelchair users. Wearing a prosthetic leg places additional stress on the body and you do what you need to in order to stay mobile. I’m simply advising you on the options available.’

Georgiana knew she was being testy but the chip on her shoulder about being seen using one of those things came directly from her mother. They were both aware it marked her out as different when it was possible for her to pull on a pair of trousers so no one would know she wasn’t whole.

‘I appreciate that but I won’t need anything to do with a wheelchair.’ It had been difficult enough coming back from rehab to find her parents had adapted half the house for a wheelchair user. As though it was going to be a permanent feature. Well, she’d showed them, putting in the effort to ensure she didn’t have to use one longer than necessary. Now the ramps that had been installed for her benefit slowed her up when she had to adjust her balance every time she walked up or down one.

‘I’m just giving you the standard tour. Take or leave whatever is or isn’t applicable to your specific needs.’ He appeared unfazed by the news and Georgiana was miffed by his indifference. It was a huge achievement when someone transitioned back onto their feet and an acknowledgement of that would be nice. Perhaps he was so used to dealing with patients at every level of rehabilitation it wasn’t as big a deal to him as it was to her.

‘I see you have the heavy boxing bag. I suppose that’s for core work.’ And relieving frustration, as long as she didn’t overbalance in her enthusiasm to punch things.

‘Yes, and the speed bag can be adjusted so you’re reaching overhead and challenge your range of motion.’

‘Hmm. Maybe I’ll take up boxing. We’re always encouraged to get involved in competitive sport. I like the idea of punching people in the face.’ They championed sport to improve fitness but also to give patients a new area of their lives to focus on and work towards. That competitive spirit gave a boost to those who might otherwise want to give up. She wasn’t going to be one of those people lying in bed all day feeling sorry for herself, but neither did she want to be on a stage celebrating what had happened to her.

Boxing, however, was a skill she could carry through with her as another defence for when her sardonic repartee failed to get people like Edward Lawrence to back off.

‘I’m not sure that’s the spirit of the sport. Remind me never to get on the wrong side of you.’ Without his jacket she could see the impressive bulge of his biceps straining the cotton shirt and she knew she’d be no challenge to him. Yet she appreciated that he didn’t think of her as a fragile doll.

‘I do have military training...’ She gave him what she hoped was an intimidating glare, although her Cheshire cat impression might have undermined the overall effect.

‘I’ll bear that in mind,’ he said with a grin to match hers. ‘Especially when I tell you about the glider here. Yes, it’s designed for wheelchair users but I think it does help build the oblique, core, back and arm muscles.’

She pursed her lips to prevent a further tirade about why it wasn’t suitable for someone who could get around perfectly fine. He knew that now but he obviously had more to say on the subject.

‘Go on...’

The worried frown lines evened out across his forehead when she let him off the hook. ‘You can pull up a seat and just work out the arms on this one. It’s a great way to improve strength and cardio. Plus, it can strengthen your shoulder orbit muscles.’ He demonstrated the machine, pulling and pushing the levers, which she could see were replicating rowing and cross-country skiing motions for the upper body.

She had a rowing machine at home but she had to take off her leg to keep the air flow on her limb and prevent sweating. This glider would certainly complement the exercises she was already doing for her arms. By combining both gym workouts she’d hopefully improve her overall fitness. Edward certainly looked fit. She was mesmerised by his thick, tanned forearms pumping the levers back and forth. That was the level of strength she aspired to. Her fascination wasn’t in any way an objectification of the man himself.

‘It looks...er...good.’ She cleared her throat and her mind. This man was an aid to her recovery, nothing more. Okay, maybe he was some pretty window dressing in a room dominated by ugly, functional machinery.

‘Do you need me to demonstrate anything else or help draw up some sort of plan? I know that’s not my particular area of expertise but I have learned a thing or two over the years about strength and conditioning exercises.’ He walked over to the