she’d left Glasgow for London to take over her father’s share of the practice.
Surgery was the price she had to pay for her indiscretion.
It wasn’t a solo practice, as her father shared his practice with a cardiothoracic surgeon, but that didn’t matter. It’s what made her father’s practice one of the top ones in Harley Street. In the same office you could meet with your cardiologist and one of the best cardiothoracic surgeons was just down the hall. Geri had yet to meet the infamous Mr. Ashwood, but she had read some of his research papers when she’d been doing her surgical residency. He was certainly an impressive and accomplished surgeon.
“Geraldine, you looked a little flustered. Are you sure you’re well, my dear? We can save this walk-through for another time. You’ve only just arrived from Glasgow. Perhaps you should go back to my house and unpack. Rest.”
“No, I assure you I’m fine.” Geri smiled. “Please do continue.”
She couldn’t bring herself to call him “Father” just yet. He was still Lord Collins to her. She was staying at his home for now. Just until after Christmas when she could find her own place. It was awkward, to say the least. He walked around her like she was delicate china and was going to shatter.
They’d been together for a month and she felt like she didn’t even know him. And she wasn’t all that sure she wanted to.
Her father nodded, though he looked uncomfortable. Sometimes it was hard, being alone with him. It was awkward. They were too polite, but then there were other times when they enjoyed each other’s company. Still, those times were few and far between.
He looked down at his pager. “Ah, a spot of trouble. One of my patients has just been admitted. Would you like to come meet her or would you rather stay here?”
“I’ll stay here, I think. Just get my bearings. I’m sure I’ll meet her soon enough.”
Her father nodded. “I won’t be a moment.”
Geri breathed a sigh of relief when her father left her alone.
She was still trying to process it all. She couldn’t quite believe she was here. It had always been a secret dream of hers to meet her father one day. Until each year had passed and those secret dreams of her father coming to rescue her from a lonely childhood had faded into nothing. At the age of eighteen she’d had his last name, known his first name was Charles, but had had no idea that he was a member of the aristocracy. And she couldn’t be bothered to find out anything about him.
She’d had no idea he was a physician in Harley Street with a home at the posh end of Holland Park.
It was all a bit overwhelming. She sat on the edge of a couch and took a deep breath.
What am I doing here? I don’t belong here.
“Excuse me, but are you lost?” It wasn’t totally a question. It was a question mixed with annoyance.
Geri stood and turned around. She was taken aback by the tall, dark, handsome surgeon standing in the doorway, his face like thunder as he glared at her, letting her know in no uncertain terms she didn’t belong there.
“Thank you for your concern, but I’m not lost.”
He cocked his head to one side. “This room is for surgeons only. I think you’re in the wrong place.”
His voice was deep and husky, which sent a shiver of anticipation through her. She always fell for dark, brooding men. Frederick had been dark and brooding and look how that turned out.
Don’t get carried away.
“I can assure you I’m not lost,” she said again. “I was accompanying my father and he asked me to wait here until he returned. Besides, this is the physicians’ lounge. Not the surgeons’ lounge.”
He snorted and moved past her into the room. “I’ll have to have a talk with them, they’ll let just about anyone in here.”
“My, we’re in a foul mood, aren’t we?” She was tired of pompous, arrogant, rude people.
He poured himself a cup of coffee and then turned to look at her. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
“Oh, and what was it that gave it away?”
He grinned. “That delightful accent you have. Somewhere in Scotland, I assume.”
He was right, of course, but she wasn’t going to let this holier-than-thou surgeon off the hook. He was presumptuous, conceited and haughty. And handsome, but never mind that. He needed to be taken down a peg or two.
“You know what they say about assumptions,” she muttered under her breath.
He crossed his arms and leaned back against the counter, his eyes twinkling. “No, what do they say? Enlighten me, miss.”
Darn.
He’d heard her. Well, two could play at this game.
“It’s ‘Doctor,’ actually,” she said, correcting him.
He cocked his eyebrows. “Is it really? Are you going to be working here, then?”
“In a manner of speaking.” She tried to be evasive and end the conversation with him, but she wasn’t that lucky. The way he’d asked if she was going to be working here made her feel nervous. Like suddenly she was a mouse and he was a cat, closing in for a kill.
He grinned, a lazy sort of grin that Geri knew all too well from the rogues she was used to dating. That smile was wolfish, almost predatory in nature, and as he set his coffee mug down and moved away from the counter towards her, Geri knew she was in deep, deep trouble.
“Well, my apologies, then. I had no idea that you were a new surgeon here.”
“Just a doctor, actually. I’m not a surgeon.” It stung to say that, but she didn’t let it show. Her mother couldn’t tolerate any show of emotion and she had learned well.
“I just naturally assumed you were a surgeon. You have an authoritative air about you.”
“And only surgeons have the right to be authoritative?”
“Yes. I mean, lives are in our hands.”
Geri rolled her eyes. Good lord, he was arrogant. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Why, thank you.” He made a bow with a flourish.
“It’s not a compliment. You’re the most conceited, prideful man I have ever had the displeasure of knowing.”
“Oh, come, now, darling. Surely not the worst?” He winked. “You’ve only known me for a few fleeting moments. Spend some more time with me and you’ll no longer feel displeasure.”
“Don’t call me darling. I’m most definitely not your darling.”
He leaned over and whispered in her ear, his hot breath fanning her neck, “Ah, but you could be.”
It
