The Lady Who Lived Again. Thomasine Rappold
she snapped. “Besides, you’re a doctor. The only opinion that matters to you is your own.”
This garnered a smile.
“Will you do it?”
His smile faded as he tilted his head. The tender expression overwhelmed her. His eyes shone with compassion. Reluctance. She stared into the blue depths, saw his refusal rising to the surface.
“Madeline—”
“Please, Jace. You must.”
Her desperate tone had signaled a warning. She saw it at once. His shoulders stiffened, and the softness fled from his face.
“And why is that?”
She’d prefer to bite off her tongue than proceed, but she’d no choice now other than to tell him the truth.
“Because the damage is done. I’ve already announced it.”
“Announced…” His narrowed eyes flashed wide. “Our engagement?” He shifted his weight against his surprise. “You announced our engagement?”
“I had to. I’m sorry.”
He blinked, shook his head, looking addled.
“Allow me to explain.”
A vein emerged at his throat. Blood crept up his neck, flooding his face. “You’d damn well better explain.”
“Please, calm down.”
Planting his feet, he crossed his arms on his chest and glowered down at her.
“By all means, please enlighten me as to the reason for my recent engagement.”
She grappled for words. “Amelia is the only friend I have left. I must attend her wedding, but my cousin Marvin is unable to escort me.” Jace listened, unaffected. Maddie lowered her eyes, rambling in the shadow of his angry regard. “I had hoped to find another suitable escort, but before I had the opportunity, Daniel and his fiancée cornered me at the dress shop.”
“Daniel?”
Attempting to contain her anger at Daniel was fruitless. Bitterness laced every word.
“Daniel Hogle. My former fiancé.”
“And the plot thickens.”
She scowled at his arrogant tone. As if he had the slightest understanding of what Daniel’s desertion had cost her.
“Daniel pretended to express regret that I could not attend the wedding—because he, like everyone else, assumes I’ll never find a man foolish enough or desperate enough to serve as my escort.” Her anger again gave way to pain. “I can withstand the hatred. But the pity…” She forced a smile over her shame, lowering her eyes. “My pride got the better of me, and I spit out a lie.” She glanced up.
“And just how do you propose to substantiate your lie to the good people of Misty Lake?” he asked with a strong dose of doubt. “Considering we’ve known each other for less than a week?”
“I’ve already thought about that,” she said, encouraged by his question. “You mentioned you go out on house calls each day and have passed my house several times.”
He tilted his head. “Go on.”
“Everyone knows of Grandfather’s failing health. For all they know you could very well have been treating him during house calls this past month since you’ve arrived in town.”
“Are you suggesting I lie?”
She frowned. He looked so genuinely aghast by the prospect, she felt like a criminal for corrupting his virtue. “You wouldn’t actually have to lie. You would merely allow people to assume what they will.” Maddie tossed her head toward the sound of the incessant hammering above. “One word to Henry would be enough. When it comes to me, the gossip flies faster than the wind through this town. They’ll believe it, trust me.”
“Seems you’ve thought of everything,” he said.
“I had hoped you’d agree to the ruse in exchange for the opportunity to study my case.”
His face was unreadable, cool as a stone. She was doomed.
Several torturous moments passed as Maddie awaited her fate.
“Unfortunately, I’ve come to realize I haven’t the time to study your case. I must prepare for my patients, and as you can see, that felled limb left this office in a state of chaos. Setting things to rights will involve tremendous effort. Not to mention the bookwork that needs to be completed before I can accept new debts.” He rubbed his fine chin as a shrewd look crossed his face. “Unless…”
He dangled the word like a carrot, and she couldn’t resist. “Unless?”
“Unless I found someone to assist me.”
She thinned her lips. This was not going as planned. He was supposed to be so interested in the story of her recovery, he’d agree to anything. Or else so overset by her charm that he’d willingly cede the upper hand. Jace’s sly grin gave her the distinct feeling she’d never stood a chance.
“Your grandfather mentioned your skill at maintaining accounts. Perhaps you—”
“You want me to work here? For you?” The suggestion was preposterous for reasons only she understood. To be trapped in this office in the company of sick and wounded people would be a nightmare. She’d be unable to heal patients in Jace’s presence and yet watching them suffer wasn’t a reasonable option either. The problem was that the man had her over a barrel, and he knew it.
“The arrangement would be only temporary.” He smirked. “Just until you jilt me, of course.”
A maelstrom of emotions spun through her. Confusion, distress, and relief. She could barely think in the beam of that blasted smile.
“Working here will give credence to the ruse. You’d be helping your fiancé set up housekeeping and his medical practice. It makes perfect sense,” he added. “You may begin on Monday. Ten o’clock.”
She felt herself nod, although she couldn’t be sure. In three short days she’d be working here. Her mind reeled as she turned to leave—there seemed to be nothing left to say.
“As your employer, I’ll expect you to be prompt.”
She rolled her eyes as she moved toward the door. He followed behind.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
She stopped, regrets pelting her like hailstones. With a single thoughtless fib, she’d precipitated this whole enormously idiotic arrangement. But there was little she could do to change that now. She turned to face him with a look of surrender. “Yes?”
He pulled her into his arms.
Her mouth fell open, heart racing against the solid wall of his chest. Her senses swirled with the smell of worn linen and the hot flesh beneath. She blinked, met his eyes, feeling drunk. She didn’t move. She didn’t want to. His grip on her tightened, and she was overcome by a truth she couldn’t deny. Whether she’d planned it or not, she’d named him as her fiancé because she’d hoped to land here. In these arms. His eyes locked with hers. The moment stretched to eternity. His gaze dipped to her mouth, and he lowered his head.
Her small gasp dissolved between the warmth of their lips. Her breathless excitement. His mouth slanted on hers, divine pressure, so sweet. Her body hummed. His fluid pace was ardent, possessive, and thoroughly consuming. For the first time since the accident, she felt truly alive. Resurrected.
The world faded around her as he kissed it away. She closed her eyes and let it all disappear. Rising on her toes, she curled her hands in his velvety hair. Heat coiled through her body, a twisting, winding thread of pleasure that caused her to ache. Parting her lips to the brush of his tongue, she heard herself moan. The slick feel of his tongue against hers set her ablaze. She plunged into the