The Army Doctor's New Year's Baby
By
Helen Scott Taylor
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Copyright © 2014 Helen Taylor
Cover design © Helen Taylor
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Edited by Pam Berehulke
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The right of Helen Taylor to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
This is a work of fiction. All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Copyright owner.
Chapter One
Major Daniel Fabian's breath misted before him in the cold as he strolled along Park Lane in London's fashionable Mayfair district. Black cabs whizzed past, ferrying New Year's Eve revelers to parties while Christmas lights glittered among the icy branches of the trees in Hyde Park.
This was Daniel's first time wearing dress uniform since he’d graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst six months ago. Satisfaction filled him at the respectful glances from people he passed. He was proud to be a member of the British Army Medical Corps, proud to be part of an organization that provided a service for his country.
Too much of his life had been wasted on the wrong career and pointless relationships with women he didn’t care about. Now he had turned over a new leaf. His New Year's resolution was to make a worthy contribution to the army, to forge a future he could be proud of.
He reached his destination and joined the other guests in army uniform heading through the front entrance of the Dorchester Hotel for the Royal Army Medical Corps' New Year's Eve Ball.
As he stepped through the door, his new commanding officer approached as if he'd been lying in wait. "Major Fabian, thank goodness you're here. Can I ask you a huge favor?" Col. Duncan Mackenzie dragged a worried hand over his dark hair. "Would you escort my sister, Megan, into the ballroom? I forgot I was supposed to do it. Now I've committed to take another woman in."
Daniel suppressed an ironic smile. He'd pledged to devote himself to the army during his first year of military service, with no distractions of the female kind. Yet every time he attended a social function, people tried to hook him up with a woman.
Despite his reluctance, he had no intention of turning down Colonel Mackenzie's request. He didn't want to start off on the wrong foot with him. "I'd be delighted to, sir."
"I'll call Meg and see where she is." Duncan pulled a mobile phone from the sporran hanging over the front of his kilt and held it to his ear.
"Hey, Dan, how are you doing?" Two young doctors who'd been in Daniel's class at Sandhurst stopped to chat about their first postings.
They had both joined the army straight out of medical school. Daniel envied them for having no doubts about what they wanted to do. He'd wasted eight years working as a cosmetic surgeon in his father's exclusive London clinic before he found the strength to leave and go his own way. His father hadn't spoken to him since.
"Right, Meg's coming down," Duncan said. "We'll meet her by the elevator."
Daniel followed the Scotsman through the milling crowd in the reception area. Standing at just over six feet it was rare he felt small, but the colonel's tall, burly frame dwarfed him.
As they approached the elevator, the door slid open. A group of attractive women in evening dress stepped out. The blonde and brunette he hadn't met but recognized as the wives of Radley and Cameron Knight. The small woman with bright red hair in an elegant side-swept chignon must be the colonel's sister. A tartan sash made of the same fabric as Duncan's kilt draped across her long green dress.
"We're off to tear our husbands away from the bar. See you inside," the brunette said to Megan, then she and the blonde left.
Megan Mackenzie's attention moved to Duncan. She pinned him with a look that left no doubt who was boss in the Mackenzie household. The Scotsman dutifully bent and kissed her cheek.
"You look bonnie tonight, Meg."
Her eyes narrowed. "What have you done wrong?"
Duncan cleared his throat. "Can't I compliment my sister without an ulterior motive?"
She pressed her bright red lips together, creases appearing between her eyebrows. "You forgot you were my partner again, didn't you?"
"I'm sorry, Meg. Colonel Maitland asked me to escort his daughter. I agreed without thinking."
"Oh, Duncan. Every year you do this to me." Lines of irritation bracketed her mouth, her full lips pursed, signaling her displeasure. She was a tiny thing, her face fine-boned, her skin pale, a smattering of freckles across her nose and arms.
Although pretty, she was not the sort of woman Daniel dated. He wasn't quite sure what to make of her.
"Don't worry," Duncan said. "Major Fabian will walk you in."
Duncan glanced his way and Megan's gaze followed, pink staining her cheeks. She examined him with warm brown eyes flecked with green and gold. As their eyes met, something inside Daniel flipped over with a bump that momentarily fogged his brain.
"Major Fabian, meet my baby sister, Megan Mackenzie."
"Not so much of the baby, thank you, Duncan. Anyone would think I was still in diapers."
A smile caught Daniel's lips. She had the most adorable soft Scottish brogue and enough attitude to cut a man down to size—even a colonel.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Mackenzie."
"It's Dr. Mackenzie, actually. My brother might believe I exist solely to keep house for him, but I don't."
She held out her hand. Daniel gripped her slender fingers. She squeezed back, shaking firmly as if they were sealing a business deal. Megan Mackenzie had a confident, capable air that belied her fragile appearance. She was rather like the little terrier he'd owned as a boy that always put his brother's Alsatian in its place.
"I take your career very seriously, Meg," Duncan said, a note of frustration in his voice that hinted at a long-running disagreement.
Megan turned to answer someone who greeted her and Duncan angled his head towards Daniel, speaking out of the corner of his mouth. "I wouldn't dare do otherwise."
Megan's gaze jumped back to them. "I heard that, Duncan Mackenzie." She placed a hand beneath his elbow and pushed him on his way. "Off you go to find this woman who is more important than me."
Duncan gave her a pained look, but didn't argue. He simply did as he was told. Nodding at Daniel, he headed off into the crowd.
When Duncan had disappeared, Megan turned her gaze on Daniel. He grinned; he couldn't help himself. For a few moments, her lips flattened as if she were determined to be annoyed, then she gave up and smiled, her eyes sparkling.
"I apologize that you've been stuck with me, Major Fabian. I appreciate your willingness to step in for my brother, but if you have other obligations, I'm capable of walking into the ballroom alone." She dropped her gaze, looking down to straighten her tartan sash. She was obviously embarrassed to be foisted on him. Maybe she wasn't quite as confident as she pretended?
A feeling stole through him—an unfamiliar desire to ease this woman's discomfort and make her feel valued.
"You'll do me a service if you allow me to escort you inside. I came alone as well." Although Daniel had no problem with his single status, Megan didn't need to know that.
"Oh." She glanced at him again, her self-assuran
ce revived. "Well, thank you, Major Fabian. I'll be delighted to walk in with you."
Daniel held out his elbow for Megan to slip her hand through. She rested her slender fingers on his forearm. They joined the crowd in army uniform approaching the ballroom.
Her nails were painted bright red, matching her lips and the stripe in her tartan. He nodded towards her sash. "Is that the Mackenzie plaid?"
"It is, and this is our coat of arms." She touched a brooch holding the sash in place on her shoulder. "A blessing and a curse," she added softly, as if to herself.
"I rather like the idea of having a family heritage and a coat of arms. My family has nothing like that." In fact, his family was falling apart at the seams. He hadn't spoken to his father for nearly a year, and now his mother had gone off with another man. Apart from his brother, Sean, the army was all he had.
"Being the laird's daughter carries with it obligations and expectations that make life difficult. Even in this day and age it means I can't marry just anyone. I fear it might be my destiny to keep house for my brothers for the rest of my life."
Her gaze flicked up to him and away, pink tingeing her cheeks. "Forgive me, Major. I'm sure you don't want to listen to me complaining."
Normally when women talked about relationship problems, Daniel switched off. Yet Megan Mackenzie's lifestyle sounded so different from his own that it interested him. He wanted to keep her talking.
"You have such a lovely voice, everything you say is music to my ears." Daniel winced inwardly the moment the flattery slipped out—a habit so ingrained, he spoke without thinking. He knew instinctively Megan would not appreciate that type of comment.
She flashed him a disbelieving glance, then burst out laughing. "Do women really fall for lines like that?"
"Some do," he admitted ruefully. "Although it's true, I love listening to your accent."
Her blush deepened. She looked down, but not before he caught her smiling to herself.
They reached the entrance to the ballroom and paused to stare over the spectacular room with its chandeliers and mirrored walls, the décor rich gold and blue tones.
In a few minutes, they'd arrive at her table and he'd have to give her up. He didn't want to. It would be a pleasure to spend more time with Megan.
"Do you know where you're seated?" He hoped there was a chance they might sit together.
Her speculative gaze lingered on his face for a few moments. "I won't know until after the auction."
"They auction the seats?" That didn't make sense. People were already sitting at the tables.
Her soft, melodic laughter rang out as she shook her head. "You're obviously a first timer if you don't know the drill. They auction the women."
Daniel had been to such events in his former life, glamorous occasions where high society women took part to raise funds for charity. He'd always found it an amusing diversion, but the thought of Megan going to the highest bidder put his back up.
"It's only for fun. Men bid on the woman they want to dine with. It's simply a way of raising money for the Heroes' Kids Fund that supports the children of servicemen who die in action. They do very well from the auction and everyone enjoys the evening."
The nervous undertone in her voice belied her reassuring words. She wasn't any more comfortable with this than he was. He led her out of the crowd to the side of the room and moved in front of her, shielding her from view. "You don't have to take part in the auction if you don't want to. I'll go and tell whoever's organizing it that you've withdrawn."
He had the irrational urge to take her hand and walk out, retreat with her to a quiet restaurant where they could dine together in peace.
"Thank you for your concern, but I'm fine." She gave a small smile. "My brother Blair runs the charity, so I have to take part." She nodded towards the far end of the room where a group of women was gathering. "I need to join them. Dinner will start soon."
Daniel walked her down the side of the ballroom. Her fingers stiffened against his arm as they approached the stage. He placed his hand over hers and squeezed in silent support. Her gaze rose to his, grateful and a little haunted. Something jolted in his chest as if his heart had jumped and turned over.
What was it about Megan Mackenzie that got to him? These feelings were unfamiliar.
They reached the edge of the chattering group of women. Daniel gave her up with a large dose of reluctance. After such a short time in her company, it was amazing how possessive he felt about this woman.
"Thank you for walking me in, Daniel. I appreciate it. Maybe I'll see you again sometime."
"I hope so."
Daniel stood for a few moments, searching for something more to say, not wanting to leave. He had to consciously turn away to break the spell this unusual woman had cast over him. He wandered back towards his table, glancing over his shoulder to where the auction candidates were lining up. With her old-fashioned tartan sash, Megan looked small, vulnerable, and strangely out of place among the fashion parade of glamorous females. He wanted her to sit beside him during dinner. It screwed up his no-women pledge, but this was just one evening. Surely that wouldn't hurt?
Chapter Two
Megan tore her glance from Daniel Fabian's retreating back with a little sigh of longing and edged towards her friends through the excited group of women who were waiting for the auction to start.
Olivia Knight raised her elegant eyebrows as Megan approached. "You're a dark horse. I didn't know you knew Sean's brother."
Megan laughed. "I don't, really. My brother rather dropped him in it. Daniel was too much of a gentleman to refuse to escort me."
Olivia's expression grew serious. "Sean's told us lots of tales about Daniel's busy social life. Apparently he was a cosmetic surgeon to the stars before he joined the army. He doesn't sound like a settling-down sort of guy. Do be careful. I'd hate to see you hurt."
Secretly, Megan would love the opportunity to get close enough to the gorgeous Daniel Fabian to risk being hurt. But that was unlikely to happen. Men with Daniel's looks did not date parochial doctors with ginger hair and freckles who lived in the middle of the Scottish Highlands.
She glanced over her shoulder to see Daniel talking to a tall, willowy woman with masses of mahogany hair. They were laughing together, obviously friends if not more. No, Megan stood no chance with him at all.
"Actually, I rather like him, and he is easy on the eye." Alice Knight grinned. "He's sitting at our table. It would be great if he bids on you, Meg. Then we'll all be able to sit together."
Megan's brother Blair came up behind Olivia and Alice and put his arms around their shoulders. "Do I hear you three plotting? Don't tell me you Knights have fixed the auction again."
He kissed Alice's and Olivia's cheeks then hugged Megan, lifting her off her feet like he had ever since she was a little girl. "Behave yourselves, ladies, and have fun. We're about to start. Talk to you shortly."
He headed back to the stage and called for everyone's attention. The lights glinted off his shiny dark hair, his smile bright, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. He was passionate about his charity for children who'd lost parents to conflict.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats for the charity auction to benefit the Heroes' Kids Fund." He turned and extended a hand. "These beautiful women are looking for dinner partners to share the evening with. So be ready to dig deep in your pockets as the bidding is about to start."
A pretty young woman with silky blonde hair and blue eyes stepped up first.
Blair grinned at her and took her hand. "Miss Charlotte Maitland tells me she likes vampires, so if you know anything about vampires, this is the girl for you."
"Does Dracula count," a male voice shouted from the back, making everyone laugh.
"Who will start the bidding? Am I bid fifty pounds?"
Male hands shot up all over the ballroom. The price rapidly rose to seven hundred pounds until she was sold to a young officer Megan didn't know.
Three m
ore women went up. The bidding continued, then Alice Knight stepped up beside Blair, delicate and pretty, her blonde hair caught back in diamante clips, her blue satin dress emphasizing her slim figure.
A couple of bids came from the front of the room, then Alice's husband, Cameron Knight, stood. "One thousand pounds," he announced in a tone of finality. Before Blair even declared the auction over, Cameron was already threading his way between the tables to claim his wife.
He handed her down the stairs, then kissed her to a round of applause before he led her back to their table.
Next, Olivia Knight joined Blair on the stage, stunning in a burgundy dress with a diamond and ruby necklace and matching bracelet. Her long dark hair flowed loose down her back. She was so elegant and self-assured, confident in the knowledge that her man loved her and would bid whatever it took to spend his evening with her.
A little sigh whispered between Megan's lips, and she pushed away a stab of envy. How she wished she could find a loving husband like her friends.
The bidding started quickly, rapidly reaching a thousand pounds. At that point, Radley Knight rose to his feet. The room fell silent as if no one else dared challenge a colonel, now that he'd made his intentions clear. "Two thousand pounds," he said in ringing tones as he headed towards the stage.
"That's about five hundred quid an hour," someone shouted, raising a laugh from the crowd.
"And worth every penny," Radley quipped as he claimed his wife's hand to lead her back to their table.
Blair turned, his gaze finding Megan. He nodded and the young officer who was assisting handed her up the stairs.
"Now I have the pleasure of presenting my lovely sister, Dr. Megan Mackenzie. What am I bid to spend the evening with a bonnie Scottish lass?"
Although Megan willed herself not to blush, her cheeks heated. It was a curse of her coloring that she did not blush well. She pasted on a smile and kept her hands still, resisting the urge to fiddle with her sash.
Blair continued. "We army doctors think we know about danger, but if you want to hear some hairy stories of rescuing casualties from dangerous situations, this is your girl. Megan works with mountain rescue in the Scottish Highlands."
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