He was ignoring the wedding stuff. She couldn’t speak Italian. Maybe she hadn’t read that part.
Her tanned skin was pale. He could still see the slight tremor in her hands. Gabrielle started pacing around the room. ‘But it’s not. If people lose faith in me, Mirinez’s reputation will be damaged.’
‘Won’t it already be damaged by the fact your brother hasn’t functioned for the last few years?’
She completely ignored his comment and kept pacing. ‘I still have trade agreements and business deals to finalise. This could threaten them. If other countries don’t trust me to lead wisely, why should they invest in us?’
He shook his head and walked over, putting both hands on the tops of her arms. ‘Stop, Gabrielle. Just stop.’
The breath she sucked in was shaky. He hated seeing her like this. But he also hated the fact his photo was slapped across the front of a newspaper. He’d always been a fairly private person and the fact it was an intensely personal moment sparked a little fire inside him. He glanced at the paper again, trying to work out who on earth had taken the photograph. From the angle it seemed to have been taken slightly from above—none of the restaurant staff could have done that.
He pushed all thoughts away and tried to keep on track. ‘Who deals with publicity for you? Release a statement saying your privacy should be respected. If you have to, give them my name, rank and serial number. I suspect they already know—that just wasn’t interesting enough to report. There’s nothing else to find out about me, Gabrielle. I’m a surgeon. I’ve served in the military. I’ve kissed you. That’s it. They can spin it whatever way they like. What you need to do is tell them about you.
‘Arrange an interview—tell the world what you’ve come back to. Tell them about the work you’ve been doing on TB. Tell them about how the mining accident has been handled and your plans for the future to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Tell them you’ve been working in the hospital as well as trying to catch up on work your brother left behind.’ He waved his hand. ‘They’ve painted you here as some kind of lightweight socialite, someone who can’t be trusted to make decisions. This isn’t you. Show them who the real you is.’
Her voice cracked. ‘I can’t do this. I just can’t. I never wanted to do this anyway. I just want to go back to being a doctor. Just a doctor. I’m sorry you’ve been caught up in all this. It’s not fair. Newspapers are awful. Some reporters will spend their lives looking for something to splash on the front page. They hound your family and friends, as if invading everyone’s privacy is their given right.’
Sullivan stepped back. Something about this felt off. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Yes, Gabrielle was embarrassed to have been caught in a compromising position but her reaction seemed about more than that.
His insides curled up. Was she embarrassed by him? Worried that the world might read more into their relationship than she’d like? The truth was, he didn’t even know what this relationship was—so how could anyone else?
Was she embarrassed by the presumption they might marry? Did she think he might never be marriage material? He’d never had to think that way before. That he might not be good enough. It was a whole new experience.
Particularly when he was trying to come to terms with the fact Gabrielle seemed to be bringing him out of the fog he’d been in for the last three years. Was this just a fling for her?
But there was something in those dark eyes that looked like intense worry. She’d been brought up in the public eye. Maybe not completely under the spotlight like some of the other European royal families, but he would have thought she might have more experience of the media than someone like him.
He took her hand. ‘Get dressed. Come with me to the hospital. We have patients to review.’ It seemed like the most sensible suggestion. In the hospital Gabrielle was completely at home, confident in her abilities and could focus on the job. Out here she was floundering.
Her head gave a slow nod. The hospital must have sounded like a safe place. ‘Once we’ve reviewed all the patients we need to, we can make a plan.’ He gave a little frown. ‘Franz should be helping you with this. I suppose you should either release a statement or give an interview.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I’ll support you whatever you want to do.’
A tiny part of him wanted to walk away from all this. But Gabrielle needed support. And the selfish side of him realised that even though she didn’t know it, she was supporting him too.
This was the first real relationship he’d been part of since his father had died. He’d always been confident with women. But his career choices had meant he was constantly on the move. It was difficult to form meaningful relationships when you didn’t know where you’d be in six months. And the truth was—he hadn’t wanted to.
But now? Something was different. Gabrielle was like a breath of fresh air just when he needed it. Just a glimpse of her dark eyes brought a smile to his face. He wasn’t quite as ready to walk away as he had been in the past.
She gave a nod. ‘I’ll meet you back here in half an hour,’ she said as she disappeared out the door.
Sullivan didn’t even get a chance to reply.
He stared at the crumpled broadsheet on the bed. Why did that discarded piece of paper suddenly feel like his life?
* * *
Her brain was spinning. Her initial worry about being caught without any appropriate clothes had disappeared the instant Franz had delivered the news.
She ignored everyone in the corridor as she strode towards her apartments, opening the door and walking straight through and flicking on the shower.
The reports were bad enough. Doubtless by tomorrow others would have picked up the story and started digging for more dirt.
And that was what she feared most.
People knew that Andreas had abdicated. They didn’t know about the mess he’d left behind. And they didn’t know the rest of it. The missing million euros she’d just found out about.
When the investigative journalists got their hands on that news it would make headlines anywhere.
And she would be left to face the music.
She couldn’t share this. She couldn’t tell Sullivan.
He hadn’t signed up for this. He hadn’t signed up for anything.
Her skin was still tingling. Tingling from where he’d touched her.
She stepped under the shower and let the hot water sting her skin.
Everything about Sullivan felt so right, but how could it be, when everything else in the world was so wrong?
She was trying to come to grips with the fact that this would be her life now.
Head of State.
She should have been more realistic. She should have realised this could always be a possibility. But she’d been selfish. She’d only been thinking of herself and had run away, fulfilling her dreams and ambitions to be a doctor.
She tipped her head back, allowing the water to sluice over her face, grabbing the scented shampoo and rubbing briskly.
When Sullivan had taken her to bed last night everything else had flown straight out of the window. Her worries, her fears about her changing life. She’d only concentrated on him.
Her feelings about Sullivan were so tangled up she really couldn’t think straight at all. That smile. The feel of his muscles under the palms of her hands. For her—nirvana.
And outside that, he was so grounded. So matter-of-fact. He’d stepped into a crisis situation and responded without question. She liked that about him. She maybe even loved that about him.
She hadn’t contemplated how much last night would mean to her. The connection she would feel with Sullivan. How right everything could feel.
But reports like the ones in the newspaper might well scare him off. Marriage? Neither of them could even contemplate something like that right
now.
She had to concentrate all her time on her duties, on running the country. That was where her priorities should lie right now. Even if her heart didn’t feel as if it wanted that.
The thing was, she felt that if Sullivan was by her side she might actually be able to do this.
When she was with him, instead of being filled with worry, she could actually remember some of the things about Mirinez she’d always loved and had just forgotten about.
The people were great. In previous years the economy and business had been thriving. The number of celebrities who stayed here because of the principality’s tax-haven status was rising all the time. Mirinez was considered a glamorous place to visit and because of the celebrities the tourist industry was thriving. In light of the bad news she’d heard about the missing million euros, she probably needed to use that to Mirinez’s advantage.
She flicked off the shower and grabbed her robe, wrapping it around her as she towel-dried her hair.
Would Sullivan even contemplate staying here, continuing a relationship? Part of her didn’t want to even consider it. Sullivan seemed to be a workaholic. He went on one mission after another. And there was something curious about that drive. It was almost as if she had to dig a little deeper. It was obvious he was still mourning the death of his father but Sullivan was too alpha to ever admit that. Did he even realise himself?
She sighed as she sat down in front of the mirror.
All she really knew was that she didn’t want him to leave. But the private hospitals of Mirinez would never keep the attention of a surgeon like Sullivan. There would need to be something else. Need to be something more.
Her heart squeezed in her chest. She’d like it if that could be her.
But what were the chances of that?
* * *
As soon as they set foot in the hospital Gabrielle started to relax a little more. She instantly moved into doctor mode. Someone asked her to check an X-ray regarding a potential case of TB and she looked so enthused he could have cheered.
His patients were doing well. He scheduled surgery for the next day for one of the burns victims, then spent a considerable amount of time talking to the miner from China and his family to assure them that he was being taken care of.
Gabrielle was at ease here. He watched her talk enthusiastically to patients, offering comfort as she reviewed their conditions and making plans for the future. Just like in Nambura, patients seemed drawn to her. Gabrielle wasn’t a princess here. She balanced being the ultimate professional while showing care and attention to her patients.
Every now and then their eyes met and she gave him the kind of smile that had multiple effects, some on his body and some on his mind.
One of the nurses gave him a knowing look as she noticed him watching. ‘I hadn’t met Princess Gabrielle before now.’ She gave a little nod of her head. ‘She’s great. I wish she’d stay around as a doctor. Philippe, our director, has had a total personality transplant in the last few days.’
Sullivan looked at her in surprise. ‘What do you mean?’
The nurse met his gaze. ‘I’ve been here five years. I came from France. Private hospitals here are all about money. For as long as I’ve known him, Philippe has been so uptight, so focused on profit and being the first place to offer the next big surgery.’
‘And now?’ Sullivan didn’t know whether to feel irritated or intrigued. What had caused the change in the hospital director?
She sighed. ‘He’s better. I think because Gabrielle told him that the government and mining company would cover the medical costs he can relax a little. I think Philippe usually spends half his life chasing down accounts that haven’t been paid.’ She held out her hand, gesturing. ‘Sixty per cent of our beds are currently filled with patients from the mining accident.’
Sullivan had never really worked in private practice. He’d gone from training to serving in the military—to working for Doctors Without Borders.
It gave him a bit of perspective about the pressures others were under—including Gabrielle. ‘Money makes the world go round. I hope the mining company comes through on its promises.’
The nurse waved her hand as she moved away. ‘If they don’t, Gabrielle has promised the government will pick up the entire tab.’ She smiled and started walking backwards as she made her way down the corridor. ‘If you can, try and persuade her to keep working here sometimes.’ She winked at Sullivan. ‘You too, if you like. The surgeons have been talking. They’re impressed.’
Sullivan couldn’t help the smile that appeared on his face. Getting praise from a patient was always the best thing, but getting praise from colleagues in a competitive business like this? That was pretty good too. ‘Thanks. But, hey, who says I have any influence over Gabrielle?’
The nurse tapped the side of her nose as she disappeared around the corner. ‘I can see it...’ she interlinked her fingers ‘...the connection. You two light up the place like a Christmas tree.’ She winked again. ‘And you could cook sausages with the sizzle in the air between you.’
She disappeared around the corner, leaving Sullivan smiling and shaking his head.
* * *
Ten hours later Gabrielle had never felt better. This felt normal. This felt real. She’d reviewed ten patients at length, changing prescriptions, altering care plans and discussing their care with them and their nurses. That was just at the first hospital. She’d then left St George’s and headed to Princess Elizabeth’s to review another three patients there.
Franz had caught up with her at one point. There were more legal documents to be signed, a briefing from one of the European lawyers about a contract dispute, but he didn’t mention the missing money again. He looked gaunt and she was aware he knew exactly where she’d been all day. She put her hand over his. ‘Let’s talk about other matters tomorrow,’ she’d said quietly.
‘Of course,’ he’d agreed. He’d pursed his lips then added, ‘Are you sure about this statement?’
She’d written it by email while in St George’s, given it ten minutes of her time and no more. She had patients to attend to and wasn’t here to court the reporter’s interest. She gave a quick nod of her head. ‘Send it as it is.’ She would deal with any queries tomorrow.
She wanted to do something else this evening. Something else entirely. By the time the idea had fully formed in her mind she was practically running down the corridor. She threw off one set of clothes and grabbed another. Five minutes later she knocked on Sullivan’s door.
* * *
‘Come in.’ He was trying to decide how to persuade Gabrielle she should find a way to keep working as a doctor.
The door swung open and Gabrielle stood there, leaning against the doorjamb. She was wearing the tight jeans that drove him crazy, a grey hooded zip-up top and had a red baseball cap pulled low over her face. ‘Ready?’ she asked.
He spun around from the desk. ‘Ready for what?’
She sauntered across the room towards him. ‘To play hookey with me, of course.’
He stood up and walked over to meet her. ‘You want to play hookey?’
She laid her hands on his chest. ‘What I want is to go to the movies, watch the best action film on the planet and eat my body weight in popcorn.’
Now he understood the clothes. He ran his eyes up and down her body then wagged his finger. ‘Oh, no. You can’t do that. It’s a dead giveaway.’
‘What?’ She looked down and then from side to side. ‘What am I doing?’
He folded his arms and nodded his head. ‘You’re not doing it now. That’s better.’
He walked over to the closet and pulled out jeans and a T-shirt. ‘Got a spare baseball hat? I didn’t think it would be required clothing in Mirinez.’
She wrinkled her nose. ‘What was I doing? What’ll get me recognised
?’
He fastened his jeans and slid his feet into a kicked-in pair of baseball boots. He rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a navy blue hoodie.
‘Smiling.’ He winked at her. ‘Put that smile away. It’s recognisable anywhere.’
Her cheeks flushed a little, but the sparkle in her eyes made him pull her closer. He breathed in, filling his senses with her light floral scent as he pushed her hat back and dropped a kiss on her lips. She wrapped her hands around his neck and whispered in her ear, ‘Don’t distract me, or we won’t get anywhere.’
‘Hmm...would that be so bad?’
She touched the side of his shadowed jaw, her nail scraping along the stubble he now wished he had shaved. ‘Haven’t you heard? You’re the delinquent doc. You’re supposed to be leading me astray.’
‘Oh, I can do that, no problem.’
She pulled her hat back on. ‘Then get me out of here. Let’s go and watch a film.’
He rolled his eyes as he slid his hand into hers. ‘This is crazy. I want you to know, you’re the only girl on the planet I’d do this for.’ He opened the door and glanced down the corridor. It was surprisingly empty. ‘I’m assuming you know a back way out of here?’
She gave him an innocent expression. ‘I might. Let’s just say I didn’t waste all my teenage years in the palace.’
‘I thought you were a good girl. The study queen.’
She put her hand on his arm. ‘That’s what I wanted to the world to know. The rest?’ She held up her hand and gave him a wicked look.
He shook his head. He liked it that Gabrielle had a rebellious side. He also liked it that she’d obviously learned a number of years ago how to manipulate the press. Maybe it was time to refresh those skills.
They crept down the corridor, looking both ways as they went. Some of the palace and security staff were talking at the top of the one of the staircases. He put his finger to his lips. Gabrielle gestured with her head to the right. ‘This way,’ she whispered as they ducked down another corridor. She took them into the library, checked over her shoulder and pushed against one of the panels on the wall. After long seconds, the wooden panel slid to the side.
The Doctor and the Princess Page 11