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

‘It’s hard for the kids. They’re being constantly refitted. There are the sporty ones who really need specially adapted limbs, but it’s an expensive business with limited funding from the government. Unfortunately, I don’t hold any sway in that department. I can mention it in the right ear but I’m not certain my input will help in any meaningful way.’

‘You’ve been a great help with the charity, and look at how much you’ve done for Hannah’s family.’

She gave him the side eye. ‘That was a chat. I didn’t achieve anything other than an interest in my leg. I can do that with anyone if I walk down the street in a pair of shorts.’

‘You underestimate the influence you have. We have all tried in vain to get Hannah to co-operate and within a few minutes of meeting you she’s suddenly engaged and excited about the prospect of a new leg.’

‘Not everyone is going to respond to me in the same way as a four-year-old princess-mad little girl.’

‘You’re a member of the royal family, a soldier and a medic. There’s plenty of reason to be impressed by you. You could be a great asset to the team here.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You were great with Hannah. She related to you. Saw herself and what she could achieve. None of us have been able to get her near the water or to get fitted for her prosthetic. You could make that big difference to people’s lives you wanted by being here. Would you like a job?’

CHAPTER SEVEN

GEORGIANA ALMOST LAUGHED in Ed’s face at the suggestion of becoming his employee but the least she could do was hear him out after everything he’d done for her. Before he’d come along she would never have believed she could sit and discuss her prosthesis with strangers as though it was the most natural thing in the world. She supposed it was now. Although talking to one family was very different from revealing all to the nation. The subject of many a nightmare.

‘You want me to work here?’

‘It’s a possibility.’

Georgiana didn’t know if the following pause was for dramatic effect or if he was expecting her to shoot down the idea immediately. She wanted to hear more before she did that. When he realised she was listening he carried on.

‘You could be a mentor or train as one of our aqua therapists.’ Ed was fidgeting with the paperwork, rolling it up into a tube, then unfurling it again, until the ends were curled up like the fallen autumn leaves lying outside.

‘This isn’t some made-up position you think I need to give my life meaning, is it?’ She didn’t want to get into the details beyond the title until she could be sure it was more than a vanity project for her.

‘No. Absolutely not.’ Ed’s stern denial and matching frown left her under no illusion that he was deadly serious.

‘Good. I prefer people to be upfront with me. I’ve had enough of duplicitous people.’ Life would be so much easier if people were more transparent with their agendas. It could have saved her brother for a start.

‘I don’t have time to play games with you, Georgiana. You should know by now I’m not someone who will pander to you to make you feel better. Nor would I lie to you.’ He reminded her of their first meeting when he was anything but convivial. Ed had been pushy, confrontational but never patronising or sycophantic. She’d met plenty during her royal duties who possessed those particular qualities and Ed certainly hadn’t made that list.

‘What would it involve? I’d need you to lay it all out for me.’ She wanted to believe Ed that she could make a difference in the lives of people who were in the same position as her, but she needed more convincing.

‘It could be a long night and that’s something best discussed on a full stomach. I’ll order some takeaway then I’ll take you through everything.’

‘Sounds good to me.’ So good her heart gave an extra kick at the promise of having dinner with him after office hours.

When the food arrived a short time later, Ed shoved all the paperwork to one side. The only thing greater than his work ethic was his appetite.

‘All this comfort food can’t be good for you. Not that I’m complaining. It’s a long time since I indulged in some fast food.’ Georgiana was already salivating with the smell of fried chicken. It wasn’t the same when the palace chef attempted to replicate it.

‘I usually eat at home with my folks, so these past nights have made a nice change for me too. At least I don’t have to listen to stories about the garden exploits of next door’s cat or get a list of jobs to do around their house.’ He ripped the paper bags open to use as a makeshift plate on top of his desk and proceeded to unpack the goodies.

‘I’m the lesser of two evils? Honestly, I’m not sure my conversation is any more stimulating.’ She was messing with him but deep down she was touched he was doing this for her. Taking time out from his family to spend it with her. Yes, they were discussing his work tonight but last night had been all about her. Each time he made sure they had sustenance to get through. None of which was in his job description.

‘Trust me, it is. It feels as though I actually have a social life when I’m with you.’

‘Ah, yes, you said you weren’t involved with anyone.’ Georgiana was intrigued by the idea of Ed’s past loves, probably more than she should be.

For all the time they were spending together she knew virtually nothing about him. It wasn’t fair when he knew all her dark secrets, or at least most of them.

‘I was with someone for a while—Caroline—but I guess I wasn’t putting the time into our relationship that it needed to work.’

Time.