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

the flow of blood, and left it to her to inspect the contents of the first-aid kit provided by the staff.

She took out a wad of tissues and dabbed the area to dry it off before applying a sterile dressing. The wound was going to need stitching but that would keep it dry and clean until they could get him to the clinic. ‘Are you doing okay, Ethan? Let me know if you start to feel sick or dizzy, okay?’

Shock was an important factor to look out for after any injury and particularly in one so traumatic, but Ethan’s father gathered him up in his arms and Georgiana knew everyone was keeping a close eye on the boy to make sure he’d be okay.

They must have made an odd-looking procession as they made their way to the clinic premises. Ethan was still holding his hand up but the dressing was soaked with blood and the child was greyer than the overcast sky.

Ed was racing ahead to get the place opened. There was no way Georgiana could keep up with him without her gait giving away her secret. She stayed behind with the pram-pushing mum.

‘Don’t worry. Ed’s a surgeon. He knows what he’s doing.’ There was no one better to have in a medical emergency.

The young woman nodded but didn’t speak. As she was biting down hard on her lip, Georgiana could tell she was afraid of saying anything and breaking down when she was trying to be strong for her son. She had some inkling of what that was like.

‘I’ll wait out here to direct the paramedics. I’m not great with blood,’ the mum finally admitted.

‘You’ll be better in the fresh air and it’s probably not a bad idea to keep the baby out of it all.’

Georgiana managed to give her a reassuring pat on the back before disappearing inside after the others. They’d need as little distraction as possible in there.

Ed had set up in one of the treatment rooms, where bright lights were dazzling and Ethan was perched up on a bed with his arm stretched out.

‘Georgiana, I’m going to need your help here.’ Ed was sitting in a chair by the bed, carefully unwrapping the blood-soaked dressing from around the boy’s hand.

‘Okay.’ His request caught her unawares as he seemed to have everything under control, but she was pleased he’d thought to include her. That her career history hadn’t been completely consigned to the past along with having two good legs.

‘If you could clean things up here again, I’m going to give him something for the pain.’

She sat on the bed beside Ethan, armed with the swabs and iodine Ed had provided.

‘Hi, Ethan, my name is... Georgie.’ It was important to her to draw a line somewhere between her public and private persona.

From the corner of her eye she could see Ed smirk, but this wasn’t the time to get into one of their spats. She didn’t have to explain her every move to him.

‘We’re going to get you cleaned up and give you something to take the pain away.’

‘Ow!’ he cried as she dabbed delicately at his hand.

‘I know it hurts but this is all to make you better.’

Ethan buried his head into his dad’s chest but let her do what she had to.

Ed turned back with a needle in his hand. ‘You’re going to feel a little scratch, Ethan, but this is going to take away the pain for you.’

Georgiana held the small hand in place for Ed to inject. It would make it easier to stitch and lessen the chance of infection setting in.

She had no doubt Ed could undertake that or any possible surgery should the need arise. He had that same temperament and skill that would’ve served him well if he’d chosen to work in a military environment.

‘Good boy,’ she encouraged when she saw Ethan tense at his advance.

Once the injection had been administered, Ed made sure the wound was clear and the area was numb before he began to suture.

‘You’ll feel a little tug when I’m stitching, Ethan, but it shouldn’t be painful.’ Ed pulled the sides of the skin together and closed them with the tiny needle and thread.

‘It’ll all be over in a second,’ Georgiana soothed.

Once Ed had finished suturing, she applied another sterile dressing to cover the site and keep it clean and dry.

It was a revelation to her that she could still be of use in this field. Ed was the lead here but she knew she could’ve handled this on her own had it come to it. Her medical skills hadn’t deserted her simply because her confidence had. What was more, this feeling of being useful in some capacity had given her spirits a lift. Which was more than any well-meaning words had managed from those around her.

She gave Ed credit for getting her to see she didn’t have to resign herself to being on the scrap heap. Even if he’d been harsh in the delivery. Although they both knew she would never have responded to a soft approach.

If this feeling could be sustained, she wanted to capture it now. She could help, she could improve a child’s life and she wanted to do it.

Ed gave aftercare instructions and told them to have the stitches taken out at the hospital, with a warning if there were any signs of infection to have Ethan’s hand seen sooner. Georgiana waited until the family were on their way home before she approached Ed. Her blood was pumping in anticipation of discussing things with him. Positivity was surging in her veins, giving her a renewed sense of purpose. It was a small step but one in the right direction. One out of the shadows and into the light. Where hopefully a new future was waiting for her and others in her situation.

As they stood outside once more, the excitement over, Ed shut the clinic one final time. Georgiana inhaled a lungful of cool, clean air.

‘I’d like to help with