to another. ‘We said we’d be discreet about our current living arrangements. And we’re being watched.’
‘Really? By whom?’ He glanced around his office, perfectly oblivious of the stares that were homing in on them through the glass.
‘Don’t look...’
His attention swung back to her, and Charlotte began to wonder whether it wouldn’t have been better to leave well alone. Edward’s gaze made her feel as if he were undressing her. Taking his time and getting it absolutely right.
‘There—will that do?’
As long as he didn’t keep it up too long. ‘That’s fine. Allie and Paula are at the nurses’ station. Watching us.’
‘Ah. Well, in that case, I’ll just pretend to show you this...’ He flipped through the pile of journals on his desk, pulling one out and opening it. ‘Then you can sit down and pretend to read it.’
His lips twitched slightly as she took the journal from his hand, and Charlotte suppressed a grin. His sense of humour might be an acquired taste, but it was well worth the journey.
‘You wrote this?’ She read the title of the paper slowly, just about getting the gist of it.
‘Yeah.’ He leaned forward across his desk. ‘What do you think?’
‘I don’t know. Give me a couple of months to work my way through it...’
‘Then you’ll need to sit down.’
Charlotte gave up the unequal struggle and plumped herself down on one of the deep-cushioned leather easy chairs which were reserved for guests. Edward swung around in his own office chair, making sure that his back was to the glass wall, and shot her a conspiratorial look.
‘So what do you want to speak to me about?’ His finger nudged at the note on his desk.
Charlotte took a deep breath. ‘I was being pig-headed last night. I’m sorry.’
‘You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m not...’ His intent blue gaze found hers and held it fast. ‘I’m not great with certain kinds of solutions.’
What did he mean by that? Edward’s usual forthright way of expressing himself seemed to have deserted him for the moment. ‘I don’t understand what you’re saying...’
He sighed. ‘I’m saying that I’m not as good with people as you are. I can be insensitive at times.’
‘No, Edward...’ She wanted to take him by the shoulders and shake this nonsense out of him, but she was being watched. She had to stay still and pretend this was just a conversation between two work colleagues. ‘You’ve shown me and Isaac nothing but kindness.’
His eyes betrayed his confusion. ‘Is this your way of letting me off the hook?’
‘No. I’m paying you the respect of being honest with you. The way you’ve done with me.’
His slow smile penetrated every dark corner of her being. Filled her mind with the kind of ideas that she’d been trying not to think about for the past three days.
‘Thank you,’ he said.
‘You’re welcome.’ Charlotte was sure that there was a more appropriate response than that, but she couldn’t fathom what it might be at the moment. Not without the kind of body language that would get her into deep trouble. ‘Look, what I wanted to say was that I’m over trying to make out that I can do everything by myself. If the offer’s still open, I’d be really grateful if your father could spare a little of his time—perhaps just to talk to me and give me some general advice.’
He nodded. ‘The offer’s still open; there was no time limit on it. I’ll give him a call.’
‘Thanks, Edward. I really appreciate it. You’ll tell him that, won’t you?’
‘I will.’ He pointed to the journal in her lap. ‘You know, if you’re going to do this properly you should at least look as if you’re reading.’
She picked up the journal and looked at it. ‘Better?’
‘Much. If anyone asks, what’s our excuse for talking to each other?’
‘I’ve probably been disputing some of the conclusions you came to in this article.’ Charlotte jabbed her finger at the page in front of her and threw the journal down onto his desk.
‘Very theatrical.’ His eyes flashed as he leaned forward, picking up the journal and clipping something to the pages before he passed it back. ‘Here’s my father’s card. I’ll give him a call right now and tell him to expect your call this afternoon.’
‘You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?’
‘I wouldn’t say enjoying. I think you’ve made the right decision....’
‘I meant the secret rendezvous stuff.’
‘Oh. Well, that adds a certain frisson. D’you think it’s working?’
‘Probably not. But at least I’ve got a measure of deniability.’ Charlotte slipped the business card into her pocket and closed the journal, passing it back to him. ‘Will you be working tonight?’
‘No. Do you want a lift home?’ He grinned. ‘You could wait for me by the park gates if you like. With a wig and a pair of sunglasses, no one will think it’s you...’
‘I’ll wear a pink carnation in my buttonhole.’
‘Yeah. That would be a nice touch. Match your ears.’
* * *
Her ears weren’t the only things which felt as if they were burning up when Charlotte walked back past the nurses’ station.
‘Not so fast.’
Paula’s murmured words stopped her in her tracks.
‘Sorry?’ She was going to have to brazen it out.
‘So what’s the story, then? You and Edward North?’
‘He was just showing me a paper he’d written. In one of the journals. Something that came up.’
Charlotte pushed her hands into her pockets and curled her fingers around the business card, just to check that it wasn’t about to leap out of her pocket and embarrass her even further.
‘Well, make sure that something comes up more often. After all...’ Allie shrugged ‘...one thing might lead to another.’
‘I don’t have time for anything like that. Isaac’s the only man in my life at the moment.’ It would be as well if she remembered that, too.
‘Spoilsport. Surely you get time for a night off once in a while?’
Paula’s tone was edged with concern. She might tease, but underneath it all she had a good heart.
‘Edward
