His Convenient Marriage (23 page)

'What are you talking about?' His voice was rough. 'And more to the point—what are you doing here?'

`I met Nurse Taylor in the village. She told me what you were planning.' She brushed that aside impatiently. 'And I'm talking about Sandie Wells. It's for her sake you're taking this insane risk.'

'Is it?' There was an odd note in his voice. `I thought it was for you.'

She said desperately, 'Please don't play games because this is too serious. I know that you've been seeing her again. That she's been at your flat. And if you still want her that badly, then you must have her. I—I won't stand in your way, I swear it.

'But don't have this operation. It's too dangerous. Steffie told me what the consequences might be, and why you'd rejected it the first time. Tell this surgeon you've changed your mind. It's not too late. And if she really loves you, she'll take you as you are.'

There was a long silence, then Miles said softly, 'We need to get a few things straight. Firstly—Sandie has in¬deed been staying at the flat, but not with me. Some friends of mine have let me use their spare room. Secondly, she and I are not in love with each other. She and her husband have been having problems, because he wants her to be a full-time wife, and she'd like to build her career. She wanted somewhere quiet to stay while she got her head together, so I let her use the flat for old times' sake. The upshot is that she and her man have now agreed on some kind of compromise, and are giving the marriage another go. They left this morning for a second honeymoon in the Bahamas.'

He paused. 'And even if that wasn't so—if she was occupying the place for the foreseeable future, it would be inconvenient but not fatal. Because whatever we had was dead and buried a long time ago, and we both know it.`

'Whereas you, my sweet prickly Francesca, are the girl I love, and the only wife I'll ever want. And I need to be your husband in the fullest sense of the word. And that' why I'm here.`

'And if you love me back, now might be a good time to say so,' he added.

'I do love you—I do,' she said huskily. 'I think I've loved you always, but I wouldn't let myself accept it. And that's why I'm here to tell you that you don't need to do this awful thing—not for me...'

He patted the bed. 'Sit down and listen to me, my dar¬ling. When we first met, I was still feeling pretty sorry for myself, and bloody uptight. But then I looked at you, and I saw the saddest, most frightened eyes I'd ever seen in my life. And all I wanted to do was picking you up in my arms and keep you safe for ever. Only, I couldn't, and, just to rub salt into the wound, you tried to help me instead.' He shook his head. 'Not my best moment.'

She said, 'I remember.'

His mouth curled slightly. 'I imagine you might. But that's not the only thing. I'm so sick of it all. Sick of being in pain so much of the time, and feeling I'm only half man.'

Her laugh cracked in the middle. 'We both know that isn't true.'

'It may not be logical,' he said. 'But it's a fact.' He took her hands in his. 'I told you, my love. I want to kick a ball with our children, and carry you up to bed. And make love to you all night long, when we get there. And for that, any risk is worth the taking.' He raised her hands to his lips. 'Besides, Sir Philip assures me the odds on my making a full recovery are much improved now.'

'You're not going to let me talk you out of this.' There were tears on her face. 'Then hear this, Miles Hunter. Whatever the outcome, I'm going to be your wife and love you in sickness and in health—for as long as we both shall live. And nothing can change that.'

His arms went round her, and he drew her to him, kissing her passionately. He said, softly, 'Will you be here when I wake up?'

'Yes,' she said. 'And tomorrow. And the day after for as long as it takes.'

He nodded. 'You'll find the keys for the flat in the locker drawer.'

As she found them the door opened and a nurse came in. 'Time for your pre-med, Mr. Hunter.' She smiled at Chessie. 'I'm afraid you'll have to go to the visitors' room now, madam.'

'Yes.' Chessie pushed the keys into her pocket, then bent to kiss Miles, her mouth warm and sure as it lingered on his.

She whispered, 'I'll be waiting.' Then went out without looking back.

The visitors' room was comfortable, with armchairs and an array of newspapers and magazines, and she was its only occupant during an endless afternoon. Members of staff kept appearing with offers of tea, coffee and sandwiches, but she refused them all.

Each time she heard a step in the corridor outside she looked up in painful hope, and eventually the door opened and a tall grey-haired man came in, still wearing his green theatre gown.

He said pleasantly, 'Miss Lloyd—I'm Philip Jacks. I'm afraid you've had an anxious time, but it's over now, and I'm happy to say everything's gone well, and Mr. Hunter will make a complete recovery.'

There were tears running suddenly down her pale face. 'You—you promise me?'

He smiled and held up a hand. 'Word of honour. He's young and tough enough to come through most things. And, of course, he has the perfect incentive,' he added drily.

'Can I see him?'

'Not for a little while. But I'll be happy to take a mes¬sage. May I?'

'Yes,' Chessie said. 'Tell him I'm going out to buy a football.'

His brows rose. 'Is that all?'

'No,' she said, laughing through her tears. 'Believe me— that's only the beginning.'