“Good morning, Jace.” She enhanced the chipper greeting with a beaming smile.
His wary expression told her she’d have to tone it down.
“Madeline.” He stepped aside as she swept past him into the house.
She scanned the desk tucked in the windowless alcove to the left. A lamp glowed over piles of papers and books. His coat hung from the chair he’d abandoned to answer the door.
“I don’t mean to intrude…” She murmured some pleasantries regarding the weather, that it was a fine day for walking. The empty chitchat she’d perfected over the years rolled easily from her tongue. “Grandfather and I were just discussing how pleased we are that you moved to Misty Lake. This town can use a doctor with your experience.”
She sashayed to the front room in dramatic style. Maintaining a semblance of grace proved difficult in the room’s alarming disarray. Meandering through the clutter, she edged past gaping trunks and crates, skirts swishing.
“You’re looking well.” He dropped the book to a chair as a sly smile crept onto his face.
“Why, thank you.” Puffing her chest, she whirled toward him, assuming a pose that would heighten his view. “I feel wonderfully fit.” He regarded her quizzically, as though she’d said something odd. Relaying the state of one’s health to a doctor seemed appropriate. The sudden glint in his eyes seemed anything but.
His gaze trailed up and down the length of her, but this was no clinical inspection. Awareness shivered down her spine. His blue eyes caressed her body like a physical touch, leaving gooseflesh in its wake. He moved closer. An air of urgency engulfed her. She’d poked a sleeping bear, faced him in the danger of his own den, and yet she stood unafraid. Quite the opposite, actually.
“New hat?” he asked.
Her confidence soared. She smiled, genuinely pleased by his notice. She gave a few dainty taps to the brim.
“This old thing?”
Grinning, he reached toward her.
The heat of his nearness pulsed through her veins. Breath hitched in her throat.
With a sharp tug, he tore off the price tag.
Maddie cringed. Lowering her eyes, she directed a silent curse to Mrs. March and her intentional oversight. She glanced up at Jace. Despite the sinking feeling, he could see straight through her, she muddled on.
“As I was saying, Grandfather and I are certain your practice here will be very successful.”
“Why don’t you stop fluffing my feathers, and tell me why you’re here?”
She opened her mouth to protest but sighed instead. So much for charming him. Apparently her days as an irresistible belle were behind her, along with the best days of her life. She acknowledged the loss, turning so as not to look directly in Jace’s eyes.
“I’ve had a change of heart.” She dragged a gloved finger along the dusty edge of a nearby table, then faced him again. “I’ve decided to answer your questions about my ordeal.”
His brow arched as he considered her in that way he seemed to consider everything. Skeptically.
“Why?”
His surprising lack of enthusiasm deflated her poise. “I…have a favor to ask in return.”
“Your grandfather?” Lines of concern framed his eyes; his mouth was drawn tight.
In that briefest of moments she glimpsed who he was. A serious professional utterly devoted to the welfare of others. Her admiration of him was genuine. This man’s work had meaning—true value—and suddenly she felt ashamed for involving him in some trivial charade to recover her pride.
“No, Grandfather’s fine.”
Jace took another step closer. The scent of him wafted toward her, scattering her thoughts. That strange sensation returned, that force of attraction that pulled and tempted her body in a most discomfiting way.
“What is it you need?”
His husky tone held the promise of things she couldn’t describe and yet somehow desired. Something so close and yet so far away. All at once the question flew from her lips.
“Would you escort me to a wedding next month?”
“Your friend Amelia’s.”
She nodded, knowing he’d read all about it in the letter he’d found.
“That could be arranged.”
She exhaled in relief; she was halfway there.
“Since you’re kind enough to act as escort, I wish to ask a slight something more of you.” She gave a demure smile and a coy toss of her hair.
He pursed his lips in return. “Out with it.”
She took a quick breath for the courage to proceed. In for a penny, in for a pound.
“I’d like you to attend not only as my escort, but as my fiancé as well.”
His eyes bulged, and his arms dropped to his sides.
“It would only be temporary,” she assured him. “After the wedding, I will jilt you, of course.”
“Jilt me?” He coughed.
“Why yes. I can’t very well regain my reputation if you jilt me.”
“So that’s what all this is about.” He circled his finger in the air, encompassing her less-than-stellar performance. “Regaining your reputation.”
“That’s none of your concern.”
“Oh, but I think it is—especially if we’re to be married.” He smiled wolfishly. “And beyond that, it’s disappointing. And here I felt flattered.”
She bristled at his teasing tone. “I must attend as a properly engaged woman. Propriety is everything to these people.”
“And what of my reputation as the jilted party?” His mouth quirked, and she frowned at his joking tone.
“Men don’t have reputations. They have prowess,” 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 taste of him, eager to burn.
He dragged his mouth away, his breath a rush of heat on her cheek. “As your fiancé, I’ll expect plenty of that as well.”
She stared stunned through her hazy arousal before he turned her toward the door and sent her through it. Maddie stepped outside into the sunlight and wandered along Main Street, her brain still encased in a velvet fog. People passed, trailing whispers, but she paid them no heed. She’d had a productive day. She’d return home with a new job, a fiancé to escort her to Amelia’s wedding, and the greatest kiss of her life.
Chapter 5
Jace closed the door behind Maddie, whistling a breath through his teeth. Damn. He’d kissed her as punishment for implicating him in her ridiculous lie, and instead, he was the one feeling flogged. Her passion had taken him by surprise. Shaking his head, he smiled at the way she’d come flouncing into his home with the intention of seducing him. Madeline Sutter had flirted her way out of trouble before. That much was clear.
He shook his head to reclaim his senses. He had his hands full with house repairs and preparing the office for patients. The last thing he had time for was playing make believe with the most infamous woman in town. Acting as her fiancé would do nothing to enhance his professional reputation either, but it would take him an age to open the business without additional help. After paying Henry to patch up the roof, Jace hadn’t the funds in his budget to hire anyone else.
Still, he almost felt guilty for turning Madeline’s ploy to his advantage. Any charms she’d used in the past to beguile men senseless wouldn’t work on him. Not entirely, anyway. While he’d agreed to play along with her charade, he would set the rules. Or so he’d thought until that kiss. He licked his lips at the memory of her taste, the feel of her supple body pressing against his.
The jolting pleasure had rocked his control. She was alluring as hell with those simmering eyes and lush mouth, and his accelerated response proved he’d been too long without. The one thing he missed about Pittsburgh Hospital: its ample supply of willing nurses with whom to sate his body’s carnal demands.
Maddie was no nurse, but she certainly seemed willing. He couldn’t help wondering about her relationship with Daniel Hogle and whether they’d indulged a few urges of their own together. This was not quite the sleepy little town he’d originally judged it to be, and Jace was eager to learn more about its residents and their histories. Nothing intrigued him more, though, than Maddie.
He took a long breath to shake off his lust and strode to his desk. He couldn’t dwell on this now. He had too much to do, and he needed to focus. Fortunately, aside from a few minor emergencies, business had been quiet.
Already he felt the perpetual strain of hospital work easing from his bones. Like a tightly wound clock, his body had run on that coil of steady tension—that incessant pressure he’d often released in the company of a woman.
He had definitely been too lo
ng without.
He bent over the ledger he’d abandoned for Maddie’s visit, and tried to concentrate. The only thing that came close to exciting him more than the all-too-brief interlude with his pretend fiancée was the opportunity to study her case. From the misidentified coma, to her full recovery from an injury Doctor Filmore had diagnosed as permanent, Jace would get a first-person account of everything Maddie had experienced.
Although she wasn’t technically a patient, it struck him now that it would be best to treat her as such. Jace was nothing if not ethical. In this particular instance, maintaining his ethics would deny him a repeat taste of the delectable Miss Sutter. But he’d do what was right. Beneath Maddie’s provocative façade, he’d glimpsed her fragility. The ordeal she’d survived would leave anyone vulnerable and he knew that, despite their mutual attraction, it would be better for her if he maintained a professional distance.
If he could glean from her just one shred of insight into how to help others suffering from the after-effects of trauma, his restraint would be worth it. His deficiencies in this area of medicine kept him awake at night. No matter how many patients he saved, he could not forget the ones he had lost. He had to know why. Why some physically sound patients failed to get past the mental blockades of their ordeal, while others, like Maddie, moved on with their lives.
He thought about Kathy, and how miserably he’d failed her. His throat constricted with guilt. If only he had understood the depths of her despair, he might have saved her from herself.
More and more Jace found himself treading in his father’s shoes. Inch by inch he moved closer to understanding what had led to the once-respected physician’s undignified demise. He shook away the icy fear that he might repeat the dead man’s mistakes, too. Shrugging on his coat, he stalked outside for some much-needed air. He stood on the porch, letting the crisp breeze fill his lungs. The scent of lilacs drifted from the overgrown shrubs dominating the small yard.
The Lady Who Lived Again Page 5