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

already scribbling notes, his mind working overtime on how to make it all work. Georgiana admired his dedication. Among other things.

‘If you don’t mind me asking, why are you doing this? I mean, obviously it’s going to help those families who couldn’t otherwise afford to fund these things, but what’s in it for you?’ It wasn’t that she thought he was doing it for accolades or recognition for his altruism, but she was interested to know what drove his passion for it. For her it was a deeply personal issue on many levels.

She could relate to those going through the process of amputation and rehabilitation. Ed was already so in demand to those closest to him—she didn’t dare include herself in that group—it didn’t make sense why he’d take on another time-sucking task.

‘I told you about my brother, Jamie? Well, we were told he’d never be able to walk. I think in the old days they wrote you off if you had any sort of disability. Our mother and father put as much time and effort in with him as they could to stimulate him, did physiotherapy with him. If they’d sat back and accepted his limitations he wouldn’t be living a normal life now.’

‘It was their dedication that pushed him to break those boundaries they were told to expect.’ Georgiana suspected it was also down to their loving eldest son, who allowed that to happen. He’d said he’d practically raised his other siblings. Although he didn’t see it as a sacrifice of his childhood since it had allowed his brother to have one too.

‘Exactly, and I want these children to have every opportunity to do the same. Make every therapy, each new bit of technology that could enrich their quality of life, available to them. Money shouldn’t be an obstacle to a child fulfilling their potential. I’m not in this for me or the clinic. This is for every child who has had a difficult start in life like my brother. Every loving family who wants the best for their babies.’ His impassioned speech, coming from so deep within his heart, left nowhere for him to hide his feelings. Eyes filled with liquid emotion and voice wobbly, he was drawing from his own heart-wrenching experience watching his brother’s fight.

In that moment she could feel his passion, his pain at being so powerless at the time and a vulnerability in him she would never have expected to find. Ed was a man who loved unconditionally.

‘It sounds as though you went through a lot.’

‘It was Jamie who went through the operations, the bladder problems and the skin irritation. Everything that comes from living with spina bifida. It was my parents who put the extra time into his physical activity. Taking him to all his appointments so he could reach his full potential. Not everyone has such supportive parents.’

‘Or such an amazing big brother.’

Ed ignored the praise. ‘There are kids with the condition who’ll never walk, but some have more use of their legs. We saw some families who either didn’t want to, or simply couldn’t, give the same time and commitment to their children with extra needs. They’re the ones who need the most help in later life. Jamie can get about most days without assistance and lives independently. Everyone should have that chance. The same goes for the children who want to get involved in sports and it’s only the matter of money stopping them from fulfilling their potential too.’

‘That’s all very admirable but you don’t have to do it all alone, you know.’ Georgiana could see and hear what was driving him to work so hard on the behalf of others, but she worried he was doing it at the expense of his own needs. He’d already lost one relationship over it.

‘Says Miss Independent,’ he countered with a sardonic smile to make her laugh.

‘Yeah, I know, but I’ve had this really irritating voice in my ear for days now making sure I stop feeling sorry for myself and get out of the house.’

‘I’m an irritating voice? Wow.’

‘You know I’m joking. Without you I’d still be locked in my room doing my Greta Garbo impression.’

Her ‘I want to be alone’ motto was becoming more like ‘I want to be with Ed’ these days.

Ed shrugged. ‘I could see your pain but I also understood that need to do everything yourself. It seems easier to do things that way. Then you’re the only one who gets hurt.’

She related so much to everything he was saying. They’d both chosen to shut themselves off from the world rather than run the risk of getting hurt again. ‘Yeah, but look what we’ve achieved together. Ethan, Hannah’s family and that woman at the pool—we worked as a team to save the day. It doesn’t always have to be a bad thing to get help or ask for it. You’ve taught me that.’ The smile on her lips was interrupted by the touch of Ed’s as he leaned forward and kissed her.

Eyes closed, heart hammering, she shut out everything around her except the soft pressure of his mouth on hers. It was unexpected but it also seemed natural after they’d been so intimate with their emotions. She sighed into the kiss, enjoying the sensation and excitement of exploring this new development with him.

All of a sudden that delicious pressure was released. She opened her eyes to see Ed had moved back, looking stunned, as if he’d been zapped with a thousand volts of electricity.

A creeping sense of unease made its way through her body. Rather than wanting to make mad passionate love to her, he was pulling away from her.

‘Ed?’ All her insecurities came rushing back. Why on earth had she thought a handsome, kind doctor would be attracted to a woman with so many obvious issues? He’d probably only kissed her because he felt sorry for her. She hadn’t been subtle in her admiration of him.

Georgiana got up, wanting to escape any further humiliation, but Ed