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

a bow and walked back across the stage to thunderous applause. She was exhilarated by the reception she’d received and Ed almost had to catch her before she floated off the side of the steps. He gave her a glancing kiss on the cheek.

‘You were amazing out there. A real asset to the charity and a credit to your family.’

‘Do you think so?’ She was no longer so concerned with the reaction to her physical appearance as how that would translate into donations. Without those she wouldn’t have achieved anything worthwhile.

‘I know so. You’re an amazing woman, Georgiana.’ The deep timbre of Ed’s voice reached inside her soul and she trembled beneath his admiring gaze.

‘You’re not so bad yourself, Mr Lawrence. As I’m sure you’ll prove to me later tonight. I mean, to everyone here.’ Her thoughts strayed somewhere where they weren’t being watched by an audience.

Catching her wayward train of thought, Ed gave a wry smile. ‘Just give me the word and I’m all yours.’

Georgiana was glad the guests were too preoccupied with the arrival of their first course to witness the flirty exchange going on backstage. As Ed escorted her to their table food was the last thing on her mind. His touch, all consuming. She didn’t know how she was expected to get through the night without throwing herself at him. Especially when he kept looking at her as though she were the main course.

Even without knowing the final total raised or the number of sponsors signed, Ed considered the night a success. They’d delivered the message about the families who needed help, appealing to those who could afford to do so, and outlining the things they hoped to achieve.

Georgiana had enchanted those with fat wallets using her natural charm and elegance. Going from veterans with her own tales and engaging with the children and their families, letting them know they were very much a part of the event, she was everything everyone needed her to be. Only he got to see the real Georgiana in her workout gear, full of insecurities and, at times, innuendo and he considered himself damn lucky.

From what he’d seen everyone had had fun. Fantastic raffle prizes had been donated and won, dinner eaten and conversation had flowed. With the business aspect of raising money out of the way, it was time for him and Georgiana to enjoy what was left of the night.

They’d brought in a band to end the evening on a high. As they began to play their soft, smooth melody, Ed reached out a hand to Georgiana, who was about to take her seat after another round of schmoozing.

‘Would you care to dance?’

‘Pardon? Are you sure you’re asking the right person?’

‘The only person I want to dance with here. I’m sure you know how to do it better than I can.’

‘I haven’t done it since my operation. I’m not sure I can.’ There was panic in her eyes but she took his hand all the same. That display of trust in him touched Ed’s heart. He didn’t want to do anything with the potential to embarrass or hurt her, but he thought she should enjoy every second of the night. It was as much hers as the charity’s.

‘I hear it’s like riding a bike.’ It was the sort of comment guaranteed a sardonic response but it was designed so she’d be too busy slamming his joke to worry about anything else.

He was right—they were on the dance floor before she was mid eye-roll.

‘Is everyone watching?’ she asked as he took her in his arms.

‘I hope so. I didn’t put on this tux to be ignored.’

She slapped his shoulder but she was laughing, the last of her anxiety slipping away.

Once they’d led the way, others followed until the floor was full and they were lost in one another’s arms without a care.

‘It’s been a good night.’ She was resting her head on his shoulder, the sweet scent of her perfume invading his senses and filling his lungs.

‘I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it and that I was here to share it with you.’

‘You know, it doesn’t have to end here...’

He looked down at her to make sure she was saying what he thought he was hearing. ‘Are you sure?’

There was no point in denying he wanted nothing more than to spend the night with her any more. They’d gone past that and with the gala out of the way they might be able to spend more quality time together. He didn’t know where things would lead to, only that he wanted to give it a try.

‘I’ve handed back the crown jewels, I’ve chatted with my old army buddies and stopped hiding the truth of who I am from them and everyone else here. I think I’m ready for bed now.’ The nibbling at her bottom lip gave away something of her nerves but she nodded her head regardless. He grabbed her by the hand and led her off the floor.

‘In that case, let’s get these people their coats.’

The one thing he could hear above the roar of blood in his ears was Georgiana’s giggle. It only made his heart beat twice as fast and his patience last half as long.

He didn’t know what was happening to him, but for the first time in his life he was making himself and his needs a priority. It might seem selfish but Georgiana was the only good thing to come into his life in a long time and he didn’t want to lose her when a few days without her felt like an eternity.

This could be his one chance at happiness and nothing was going to get in his way when she’d made it explicitly clear she wanted him too.

‘What do we have to do to get these people to leave?’ Ed was a warm breeze in Georgiana’s ear but he still made her shiver.

‘Shh. They’ve paid out a lot of money tonight. We can’t very well tell them to clear