The Doctor's Engagement

She swallowed. ‘Not here.’

Mark hesitated and then gave a brief nod. ‘All right. At home, then. But we’re going there right now. It’s time you told me the truth.’

‘What about your surgery?’ Holly glanced towards the medical centre but Mark was already starting the car, his mouth set in a grim line as he reversed out of his parking space.

‘Ian’s going to see my last patient and I’m not on call. Greg’s seeing Caroline tonight so with any luck we might have some privacy.’

He drove her home, casting regular glances in her direction as she sat silently in the passenger seat.

Once inside the house he took her firmly by the hand and led her into the sitting room, pushing her gently onto one of his soft, comfy sofas.

‘I’ll get you a drink.’ He took off his jacket and slung it over the back of a chair, clearly intending to go towards the kitchen, but she grabbed his hand and shook her head.

‘No.’ She bit her lip and patted the sofa next to her. ‘I don’t need a drink. Sit down. I’ll be all right in a minute.’

She took a few deep breaths. She had to be all right. She couldn’t carry on reacting like this every time she saw a drunk man. It was totally pathetic.

Mark sat down next to her, his strong forearms resting on his thighs as he leaned close to her. ‘Is there anything you need, sweetheart?’

His gruff endearment and the concern in his eyes brought tears to her eyes. ‘A hug?’

He gave a low curse and tugged her towards him, settling her in the crook of his arm. ‘I want you to tell me what happened that’s made you so scared. And then I’m going to go out there and kill whoever it was that did this to you.’

‘I should have told you ages ago.’ Holly tipped her head back against his shoulder and closed her eyes. ‘I should have told you before I accepted the job at your practice. I had no right—I’m no good any more.’

‘Holly, you’re a superb nurse.’ His arm tightened around her and his voice was husky. ‘You’re the best nurse I’ve ever worked with.’

‘No.’ She shook her head slowly and fought back the tears that clogged her throat. ‘Not any more. It affects my work Mark, it affects everything.’

‘What does?’ He shook her slightly, his voice probing. ‘What affects your work? Tell me what happened.’

There was a brief silence and then she took a deep breath. ‘I was attacked.’

She felt him flinch and when she glanced at him his face was white and shocked.

‘Holly, no!’ His voice was hoarse and she felt a sudden flash of remorse.

‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so blunt.’

‘It doesn’t matter.’ He let out a long breath. ‘Who attacked you?’

She gave a short, humourless laugh. ‘You really want the details?’

There was a long silence and when he spoke his voice sounded odd. ‘Yes.’ He lifted her chin his eyes were fierce on hers. ‘And then I’m paying him a visit—I assume it was a him. The thought of anyone touching you—hurting you—makes me boil inside.’

She’d known he’d be angry, of course. Mark had always been very protective of her. She just hoped he wouldn’t rush off seeking retribution. It was one of the reasons she hadn’t told him sooner—she was a little afraid of the strength of his reaction.

‘I was at work,’ she began softly, surprised by how steady her voice sounded. Inside she felt anything but steady. ‘It was a busy, inner-city London practice and we had our fair share of waifs and strays. I’d been there for six months when it happened.’

‘You were attacked at work?’ He sounded stunned and his strong fingers bit into her shoulder. ‘Where the hell were your colleagues?’

‘They were working.’ She gave a small shrug and a tired smile. ‘It wasn’t their fault. It was a large medical centre with twelve consulting rooms and three treatment rooms. I was at the end of a clinic when it happened. It was late afternoon—most of the doctors had gone off on calls and there was an extra patient. Exactly like today, in fact.’

‘They should have had security guards if it was such a rough area.’ Mark took a deep breath and his hold on her tightened even more.

‘This man came in with blood pouring out of his head.’ Holly’s hands balled into fists as she continued with her story. ‘I could see that he was drunk.’

The breath hissed through Mark’s teeth. ‘Go on.’