Page 94 of Royally Redeemed
“Cute,” the other nurse said. “Sir, I’m going to ask you to leave. Only one support person is permitted back here before surgery.”
John looked at her. “Oh, goodness. Are you alright, Miss Mills?”
“Yes, John, thanks.”
“Is there anyone I can ring?”
“No,” I answered.
“Ring Mum’s people,” Duncan said. “Say she’s okay but likely going into surgery and I’m not going anywhere until she’s out and safe. However you want to massage that is fine.”
John nodded.
“John, can you manage the reshuffling of engagements?” I murmured.
“I will make it work,” John patted my foot. “Focus on recovering, okay?”
I nodded. “Thanks, John.”
He left the room and I looked over at Duncan, high as a kite. He wrung his hands nervously.
“I need to tell you how sorry I am, Ella, but… it can wait until you are well. Just know that she means nothing. Not like you. And… it was all out of context.”
“Duncan, I don’t know what to say or if I can trust you. The phone?—”
“Give me time to explain, love,” Duncan said. “It was… stupid to try to talk her off the ledge. She called me and I worried it was another scandal. Then it turned into her feelings about our previous anniversary and I set a boundary.”
“Yet she continues to text you?”
“I didn’t ask for that. I care aboutyou. I need you to be well—regardless of if you ever accept my earnest grovel or not.”
I wanted to believe. He never looked so worried. If he didn’t care about me, he fooled everyone right about now.
“Later. But you owe me a full explanation.”
“Why didn’t you say something, Ella? Like… immediately?”
“About Nessa and your texts? Because I trusted you and needed you to perform well.”
He shook his head. “No, my love. No the pain.”
“I just thought it was cramps,” I groaned. “It just got worse and worse. No one noticed right? You were doing such a great job.”
He chortled. “Yeah, no one noticed except every single camera following us. That includes our crew. You are about to be super famous.”
“The amazing fainting girl,” I said, weakly.
I was stuck with him now. One way or the other, I would always be tied to The Prince of Wales. As I drifted into a pleasant, painless sleep, I couldn’t fight the feelings I had for this man. Wayward as he was, at least he protected me. And no matter what, I struggled to separate myself from the man Iwantedto believe he was deep down.
56
DAMAGE CONTROL
DUNCAN
20 February
London Daily Times
