Page 25 of A Touch of Charm
Mary unfolded and refolded a muslin. Andre said he’d need it as a bandage soon.
While Andre tended to his patient, he also gave Mary a barrage of useless instructions for the “important help” he needed from his would-be nurse, which made her feel vital and proud. Thea could see it in her expression and demeanor. Somehow, Andre had inspired Mary to learn in a way that Thea hadn’t. He was brilliant.
Truly amazing.
And oh so handsome and kind.
Thea shut her eyes and exhaled deeply. The die was cast.
She’d escaped to England, but now there was truly no return.
She was falling for Andre.
Chapter Ten
Scarcely had theclock ticked away a handful of moments, when the air of Andre’s treatment room seemed transformed. And Thea’s state of mind was also altered.
She admired Andre from her vantage point, keeping an eye on Mary, who was dutifully assisting him. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sun, and the air carried the soothing blend of dried herbs and beeswax.
Mr. Hollingsworth, an elderly tailor with a neat white mustache, sat across from Andre, his face a mix of hope and worry. Thea observed how Andre’s demeanor shifted seamlessly from the light-hearted charm he often displayed to a gentle seriousness. “Let’s have a look, then,” he said, his voice steady and reassuring. He reached for the tailor’s wrist with a gentleness that spoke of his practiced care.
“Push against my hand,” Andre said, holding up his muscular hand, which looked youthful and strong compared to his patient’s. The man seemed strained as he pushed, but Andre didn’t wince.
“How long have you suffered from the loss of strength?”
“Since the accident, Dr. Fernando. But it’s gotten worse. Especially in the evenings.”
“After a long day’s work?”
“Yes.”
Andre nodded and examined how far the man’s fingers could bend. Not very far, Thea thought.
“Limited range of motion and loss of strength, Mr. Hollingsworth,” Andre said.
“I agree,” Mary nodded as if she had all the expertise in the world.
“Thank you, Miss Mary. It’s good to have a second opinion that finds approval of my diagnosis,” Andre said. Thea suppressed a chuckle.
“I have nine grandchildren, Dr. Fernando,” the older man said, his warm gaze pointing toward Thea. “Congratulations on your young family.”
Thea gasped. He thought she was… oh but…
“Thank you so much, but she’s merely a dear friend’s sister, and this is Miss Mary White. She’s our guest until her parents pick her up when they return from Dr. Folsham’s wedding.” A white lie to ward off further questions and keep Thea’s identity secret.
Keep her safe.
“Oh,” the patient’s eyes darted from Andre to Thea and then to Mary. “I assumed wrong. My sincere apologies.”
Thea noticed that Andre blushed a furious red color. He seemed like a man who wasn’t accustomed to lying to his patients and it tugged at her hear that he had done so for her, but she appreciated it nonetheless.
Suddenly Andre furrowed his brow with concern. “Mary, we really must ask you to step out for a moment,” Andre said, his tone both firm and kind. “I have a patient to attend to.”
Mary, her curls bouncing with every nod, crossed her arms defiantly. “But I can help! I want to be your nurse.”
Thea couldn’t help but smile at the girl’s determination. “Mary, it is very kind of you to offer, but—”
Before Thea could finish, Mr. Hollingsworth paused, taking in the scene with a knowing smile. “Ah, but how could one possibly refuse such an offer?” the patient declared, a playful glint in his eye. “Surely any old man would be most fortunate to have not one, but two lovely nurses to fuss over him.”
