There was a lot of noise and loud jeers as the car came to a halt. She ignored the anxious voices of concern all around her; all she could think about was the hole she’d torn in the costume she’d promised to return in pristine condition.
‘Fine… I’m fine,’ she said vaguely, shrugging away the hands that were extended to help her up. The pain in her knee when she shifted her weight took her breath away. No, not again, she found herself silently praying.
‘She saved my life,’ a tremulous voice announced somewhere to Anna’s left, and then she heard Simon’s familiar tones beside her.
‘Are you hurt?’
‘It’s my knee,’ she hissed.
‘Here, let me…’
‘No!’ Panic seized her as he took hold of her shoulder. ‘Simon, I can’t move, it’ll…’ She gritted her teeth as her throat dried up.
‘Love, you can’t stay like that,’ Simon said reasonably.
‘I’m a doctor—can you give us some space, please?’ The answer to Simon’s prayers pushed him unceremoniously to one side.
Adam would feel morally obliged to step forward, Anna thought, biting her lip. She could just imagine how much her actions had confirmed his opinion of her reckless immaturity.
‘Go away, Adam!’ she pleaded from between compressed lips. She sensed him kneel beside her and stayed crouched on all fours, her eyes tightly shut.
‘I’ve never seen anything so wantonly stupid.’ His low, furious voice gave her no desire to open her eyes.
‘I think she was very brave,’ a young male voice she didn’t recognise said admiringly. ‘And fast.’
‘The last thing she needs is encouragement,’ Adam retorted grimly. ‘Can you move?’ he asked, his voice growing more impersonal. She felt his hands on the back of her neck.
‘Do you think I’m on my hands and knees because I like it?’ The snarling sarcasm ended with more of a whimper than a roar, and she felt the prick of tears behind her eyelids. ‘I think I’ve hurt my knee—the bad one. It hurts like blazes.’
‘I hardly think yelling at her is going to help.’ Simon’s indignant expression made it clear he didn’t think much of the older man’s bedside manner.
Adam turned to look at the owner of the critical voice. He saw a pleasant-looking young man, of above average height, clothed in period dress, who laid a protective hand on Anna’s shoulder as he went down on one knee.
‘For God’s sake, Simon, don’t get a mark on those pantaloons. I’ve already ruined one outfit.’ Anna betrayed little gratitude at his intervention. She squinted sideways and moaned as he placed the other yellow-clad knee on the dusty ground.
‘See?’ Simon said anxiously. ‘She’s in pain!’
‘Thank you for your valuable input.’ Anna inwardly winced at the sarcasm in Adam’s voice. ‘If you move to one side I might be able to make my own diagnosis.’
‘We’ve only your word for it you are a doctor,’ Simon said, his colour heightened with anger.
‘Not a doctor!’ Jessica intervened indignantly. ‘I’ll have you know he was one of the youngest professors in the history of the hospital. Adam, I really don’t think you should get involved with these people. You hear all sorts of stories about doctors being sued for malpractice after roadside heroics. You should consider your best interests, darling. I’m sure an ambulance will be along soon; they’re much better equipped to help.’
‘It’s my patient’s best interests I’m concerned about, Jessica! Do something useful—look after the twins. Get that bloody camera out of my face,’ he added softly, with a savage smile that made the news-hungry media hound step backwards.
Adam’s fiancée paled at this sharp reprimand. ‘I was only offering my advice.’ Her public-relations soul was clearly shocked by anyone speaking to the media so bluntly. ‘He didn’t mean it,’ she apologised hastily to the reporter.
‘Anna, I’m going to get you off that knee.’ Adam’s attention was totally on the injured girl as he ignored the circus surrounding them.
‘I’m scared to move,’ she admitted gruffly, rather ashamed of this cowardly behaviour. Memories of how badly her knee had hurt the first time held her frozen and made her limbs shake. He must think I’m pathetic, she thought angrily as she sniffed loudly.
‘Of course you are,’ he said soothingly, ‘but it’ll be much more comfortable if you’re off that knee. Here, Jake, support her around the waist and we’ll turn her over.’
Anna felt the touch of competent hands.
‘After three—ready, Anna?’ She nodded.
The manoeuvre was completed swiftly, and Anna was sitting on the ground able to view the world from a more conventional angle. Seeing at a glance all the faces peering at her, she wrapped her arms instinctively around herself. ‘I feel like an idiot—and I’m not your patient!’
‘Cheap publicity stunt!’ a loud voice blustered. ‘My driver was in no way responsible.’
‘Get rid of the pompous idiot, Jake.’ Adam flashed a fierce, irritated look over his shoulder.
‘My pleasure,’ the young man agreed cheerfully, getting to his feet. He gave Anna a broad smile, and with a ruthless look in his eyes reminiscent of his uncle he moved purposefully away.
‘Your nephew?’ Anna asked as Adam pushed aside the voluminous folds of her skirts to reveal her knee. She was impressed by the young man’s confidence and his uncle’s obvious trust in his ability to resolve the situation.
Adam nodded, his hands moving over her leg, his fingers delicately probing the sensitive area. ‘Painful?’ he asked as she flinched.
‘Not too bad,’ she said honestly. ‘I think I might have panicked,’ she admitted gruffly, straightening her bonnet.
‘Understandable.’ Adam raised his head from his contemplation of her leg, and for the first time since the accident she looked into his face. A wave of warm emotion swept over her. Hot-cheeked and conscious of the tightening in her chest, she stared back, feeling ludicrously self-conscious.
‘I’m sorry to have been so much trouble,’ she said softly. He was staring so fixedly at her face that she couldn’t look away. ‘And I won’t sue.’ The milling crowd seemed to have retreated into the distance.
Adam seemed belatedly conscious that he was staring. ‘Jessica was only…’
‘Looking after your interests?’ she suggested.
Adam didn’t disagree. ‘I don’t think there’s any serious damage but they’ll know better once you’ve been X-rayed. That sounds like the ambulance now.’
‘I was aiming for drama, but not quite this much.’
‘Your period costume didn’t extend to the footwear, I see,’ he said, touching the trainer-clad foot which lay in his lap.
Anna touched the ruined gown with a frown. ‘I promised to bring this lot back in perfect condition,’ she said ruefully. ‘The amateur dramatic society’s new production begins on Saturday.’ She blew away a troublesome feather that had become detached from her bonnet as it tickled her nose, and gave a droll grin.
‘It would be more sensible to be concerned about the state of your knee, not your outfit.’
‘I am concerned.’
Adam’s comprehensive scrutiny took in the white-knuckled grip she had on the folds of her skirt.
‘Let me guess. Your fertile imagination is already conjuring up interesting limps and wheelchairs?’ Adam noticed her shiver and placed his jacket around her shoulders. ‘I don’t like to outguess the tests, but I’m willing to say there’s no permanent damage.’
Anna hunched her shoulders, feeling the second-hand warmth of his body through the fabric and wishing foolishly that it was direct contact that was giving her the warm glow. The man was painfully astute. Losing her mobility had always been one of her most vivid nightmares, especially as she knew how close she had come to it once.
Anna expected Adam to disappear when the ambulance men arrived, but to her surprise he announced his intention of coming with her.
‘That won’t be necessary,
’ she said stiffly. Panic rose because she did want him to come; she wanted it quite badly. Weak and helpless doesn’t suit you, Anna, she told herself severely.
‘No, it won’t; I’ll go with Anna,’ Simon announced, with a belligerent expression on his normally good-natured face.
‘Thank you, Simon.’ She smiled her gratitude. She wasn’t up to being with Adam in the close confines of the ambulance; she wasn’t up to being with him anywhere!
‘I have to deliver the patient to my colleague, give a medical history—’
‘I’m not dumb,’ Anna interrupted.
‘It’s a courtesy,’ he said tersely. ‘Perhaps your friend—’ Anna put a restraining hand on Simon’s arm as he bristled at the sneer in Adam’s voice ‘—might be better employed telling your parents what has happened.’ He tossed the car keys to Jake, who had reappeared. ‘Drive back to the hotel. I’ll see you there later.’
‘Jessie has a meeting first thing in the morning; she won’t be happy,’ his nephew observed.
‘She’ll have to catch a train up to town,’ Adam said impatiently. ‘Where is she, Kate?’ he asked as his niece reappeared with the twins in tow.
‘The boys couldn’t wait for a toilet. I’m afraid she’s overcome by the social stigma of it and has sought refuge in the Range Rover.’
‘It’s locked,’ Jake said. A faint grin touched his lips as he imagined scarlet fingernails hammering on the paintwork.
‘Too late,’ one of the cherubs said cheerfully. ‘She won’t die like Mummy, will she?’ His round eyes were on Anna, now made comfortable on the stretcher.
‘She won’t,’ Adam said calmly.
Anna could see the child accepted his word as something indisputable in his turbulent young life. She found she was deeply moved by this small display of faith, and found herself wistfully imagining how nice it would be to feel that way.
‘I shall be back later,’ Adam said, catching Kate wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. ‘We’ll drive back to Granny’s in the morning. You do as Jake says.’
‘Anna?’ Simon hung on, determined not to be so easily dismissed.
‘I’ll be fine,’ she said, grinning to offer proof of this claim. ‘Tell Mum and Dad for me, but don’t let them panic,’ she pleaded as the stretcher was lifted.
‘I don’t need you, Adam.’ Anna’s voice carried clearly on the breeze as they moved towards the ambulance.
‘Temporarily, you’re stuck with me,’ came the intransigent reply. ‘So give your mouth a rest.’
‘Don’t you ever listen to anyone?’ she asked wrathfully. ‘And if you think I’m being treated by you…’
‘I’ve no more wish to be your doctor than you have to be my patient,’ he assured her from between gritted teeth.
‘I suppose you think I should be grateful.’
‘I never have had much faith in miracles. That’s more your field, isn’t it? Shall I sprinkle you with sweet-smelling oils and pour some herbal remedy down your throat? Would that make you happy?’
‘Thank God not all doctors are narrow-minded bigots,’ Anna hissed as the ambulance door closed.
Kate looked at her brother, a speculative smile playing about her lips. ‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’
‘When Adam is mad he’s always devastatingly polite—he’s never rude,’ Jake reflected. An expression of pure pleasure spread over his face. ‘Did you hear him with her?’ he said wonderingly. ‘I’ve never seen anyone get under his skin like that before, have you?’
Kate shook her head. ‘He never yells at Jessica. Did you see her face back there when he just snapped at her?’
‘All that well-bred civility gives me a headache,’ Jake confided with an expression of disgust. ‘Who is she?’ he asked curiously.
‘She’s definitely the toothbrush lady; I recognised her voice.’ Kate gave her brother a slow smile. ‘Maybe she’s also the answer to our prayers.’
‘Don’t pin your hopes on it, sis,’ Jake advised soberly. ‘She looked a bit young for Adam.’
Kate gave her brother a pitying look. ‘No woman will ever think Uncle Adam is too old. Besides, you were too busy looking down her dress to notice her face. Men are so disgusting!’ She gave a haughty sniff.
Jake grinned unrepentantly. ‘I think you’re meant to with those dresses,’ he said, obviously considering the occupation a legitimate one. ‘She didn’t seem like Adam’s type to me, and I still think she’s too young for him.’
‘Too old for you,’ Kate informed him maliciously. ‘Uncle Adam’s seriously dishy. You ought to hear some of my friends on the subject. Honestly, Jake, he needs someone with a bit of— I don’t know—spirit, to make him laugh occasionally.’
‘He wasn’t laughing,’ her brother reminded her. ‘In fact when she walked in front of that car I thought he was going to murder someone—probably her.’
‘You know what I mean,’ Kate responded impatiently. ‘He never laughs with Jessie and if he does she manages to remind him that such behaviour isn’t in keeping with his role as a consultant surgeon. The woman’s a real pain in the posterior!’ she reflected grimly. ‘Did you hear her going on about boarding-schools being superior? It doesn’t matter for us—we’re almost ready to leave home—but for the twins’ sake we can’t let Adam go through with it.’
On this subject both siblings found themselves in complete agreement.
Two hours later Anna sat in the foyer of Casualty, waiting for her father. Her knee was immobilised in a thick, unattractive bandage and a pair of crutches was propped up beside her wheelchair. Her outfit was attracting a good deal of attention and a few sniggers. She wished she had something to cover her exposed cleavage.
To her relief Adam’s diagnosis had been confirmed. The swelling would go down fairly rapidly. Rest and painkillers were the only things she’d been prescribed.
‘I thought you’d gone home.’ The squirmy mess in her stomach made her feel sick as Adam silently materialised. He belongs to someone else, she told herself firmly. Polite but distant is what I’m aiming for.
‘I’ve got a taxi outside.’
‘Simon will have got Dad to come for me.’ Her confident smile faded as he replied.
‘While you were being treated I rang your parents to reassure them. They agreed that as I was passing we might as well make the journey together.’
‘I don’t suppose it occurred to you to ask me?’ she said witheringly. This was like some ghastly conspiracy. If she ran away to the Sahara she would probably bump into him!
‘I knew you’d say no, just for the hell of it.’
‘It could be I don’t enjoy your company,’ she suggested sweetly. If he knew the half of what his company did to her…!
‘Suffering is good for the soul, or so I’ve heard. Anyway grab your crutches and we’ll be off,’ Adam said, dispensing with discussion and bending to sweep her up.
‘What do you think you’re doing?’
‘I’d have thought that was self-evident.’ He spoke with his arms full of her. ‘Will you do something with that hat?’ he added as the feather trim prickled his nose.
‘Don’t tempt me,’ she said darkly, valiantly keeping up the pretence of hating this manhandling.
Actually it was a novel and incredible experience to feel the strength of his arms around her. She wasn’t helpless and didn’t need cherishing, but… He gave her a quizzical look and she cut off a tremulous sigh. She closed her eyes; she didn’t want to let the fact that this was all illusion spoil the experience. He smelt quite marvellous—warm, spicy and, well, male! Give me strength not to do anything obvious like burst into flames, she prayed.
When they reached the taxi Adam gave directions to the driver and, after sliding her into the back seat, joined her. ‘There’s no room for you.’
‘Yes, there is, see? Legs elevated,’ he said, placing her feet in his lap.
The painkillers were making her feel slightly drowsy and the motion of the car made her eyelids fe
el heavy. ‘Your nephew, Jake, looks like you,’ she said brightly. Adam looked tired, she realised with a spasm of guilt. He had enough on his plate without nursemaiding her. The fact she was enjoying it made her guilt stronger.
‘You want to make small talk? Fine.’ He shrugged. ‘Jake looks like his father and people used to see the resemblance between us.’
‘I thought he’d be younger.’
‘He’s almost nineteen—off to university in the autumn. He spent last year back-packing across Europe.’
‘He seems very competent.’ Perhaps that too was genetic.
‘He’s apt to take too much responsibility on his shoulders.’ This observation brought a worried frown to Adam’s brow.
‘That’s only natural, given the circumstances.’
Adam nodded. He didn’t seem to be aware of the fact that his fingers were running up and down her slim, uninjured calf in slow, circular motions. Anna wished she could be equally oblivious to the casual contact which was sending darts of sensation over her tingling leg.
‘He’s young. I don’t want him tied down with responsibility, and Kate is nearly as bad. The twins turn to her as a mother replacement.’ A glance from his heavy-lidded eyes made her revise her opinion—there was nothing unconscious about the light caress of his fingers.
‘No doubt Jessica will lift the load from her shoulders,’ Anna observed neutrally. ‘That was the plan, wasn’t it?’ She couldn’t prevent the edge of scepticism from creeping into her tone. She couldn’t put a face to the name, but the cool, perfectly modulated but strangely featureless voice had remained clearly in her mind.
‘Jessica is trying very hard—and the twins can be very trying.’
‘They’re gorgeous,’ she said warmly, recalling their cherubic innocence.
‘They were like kids themselves starting all over again with the twins,’ Adam recalled. ‘Ben and Tessa.’
Wild and Willing! Page 8