The Surgeon's Miracle by Caroline Anderson Read Free Book Online Page A

complex and fascinating woman, but I get the feeling he doesn’t know much about you, either. Curious.’
    Suddenly she couldn’t do this—couldn’t lie to his brother, pretend they were together when they weren’t. Not like that, anyway—and not when he’d already worked it out.
    ‘We haven’t been going out together long,’ she admitted, for Andrew’s sake not revealing just how brief their non-relationship was, but Will just nodded and smiled slightly.
    ‘No. I thought not. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve got a sneaking suspicion you’re only here as a smokescreen to disguise the fact that he doesn’t have a social life—or am I mistaken?’
    She felt her cheeks heat, and he chuckled softly. ‘Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me, and maybe that is why he’s invited you, but I get the feeling there’s more to it—or at least, maybe you’d like there to be, and I can see Andrew would.’
    She opened her mouth to protest, but he just arched a brow slightly and murmured, ‘Just so you know, I probably ought to warn you Ma’s put you together in his room.’
    Her fork slipped through her fingers, and he caught it between his hand and the edge of the table, meeting her shocked eyes with a grin. ‘Steady, now,’ he murmured, then his smile softened. ‘Don’t worry, there’s a hideously uncomfortable divan in the dressing room. He’ll sleep on that, he’s nothing if not a gentleman.’
    Did she want that? She met Andrew’s watchful eyes across the table, and suddenly she wasn’t so sure. She wondered if he’d known about their sleeping arrangements before, and decided probably not. He was too straightforward to be devious, that much she did know about him, and he’d promised her no strings.
    So would he take the divan? Or break his promise?
    Divan, she realised, and felt a flicker of something that could easily have been disappointment.
     
    Andrew thought the dinner would never end.
    Libby was sandwiched between his brother and ChrisTurner, and one after the other they were telling tales about him. He knew this from the mocking glances he kept getting from Will, and the active curiosity of Chris’s steady, unruffled gaze.
    He had no idea what Will was asking her. She’d blushed at one point and shot him a slightly desperate glance, but there was nothing he could do about it in the way of damage limitation from the other side of the table. He’d just have to talk to her later and find out what he’d said. Of course, if he’d been sitting next to her…
    At last, when his nerves were stretched to breaking point, the meal came to and end and they all headed for the drawing room, and as soon as he could he reached Libby’s side and slid a possessive arm around her waist, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
    ‘Hi. Have you survived?’ he murmured.
    She laughed brightly, but a soft blush touched her cheeks and sent his blood pressure rocketing. ‘Of course. Your brother and Chris have been fascinating dinner companions.’
    ‘I’m sure,’ he said drily. ‘I should have got to the seating plan.’
    ‘No, that was me,’ Will said with a grin that made Libby feel distinctly nervous. ‘I wanted to get to know your new woman.’
    ‘Did you. Well, what a surprise. More coffee, Libby, or another drink?’
    She shook her head. ‘No, I don’t need any more alcohol and the coffee’ll keep me awake and I’m wilting on my feet, I’m afraid. Would it be dreadfully rude to turn in?’
    ‘Not at all, I think it sounds an excellent idea. I’ll get our cases in from the car and we can make ourselves scarce. Will, do you have any idea where Mum’s put us?’
    ‘Your room.’
    Just that. Nothing more, except for the knowing look in Will’s eyes, and Andrew stifled a groan, nodded curtly and turned to Libby. ‘I’ll get the luggage and come back for you,’ he said, and left her there with Will and Sally while he headed for the back stairs and the way out to the car.
    Damn. He