The Nurse's Secret

Noah wore navy trousers and jacket, offset with a cream shirt and blue tie. Classy without going over the top. Not that she knew a lot about classy, but he looked good enough to eat. Now, there was a thought.

The back door closed, then the vehicle rocked as Noah got into the driver’s seat. ‘Ready?’

As she’d ever be, which was never. ‘Yes.’ Then, ‘Why are you taking me to meet your relatives when you don’t seem to like them much?’

* * *

Good point. Noah still couldn’t get his head around the fact he’d invited Anastasia to Robert and Alice’s. It was a step forward, introducing her to his family in case they got together permanently. And also to finally lay his doubts to rest when Stacey saw the property. She’d be amazed, and stoic, and get on with being polite and keeping Holly amused. Not like his aunt. Alice had been her usual frosty self when he’d said he was bringing a friend and her daughter to meet them.

‘I hope she’s got class, Noah.’

Oh, Anastasia was classy all right, just not aloof and a boorish snob. ‘She’s a wonderful woman.’ Anastasia was no mug, and certainly could hold her own, but so could Alice. He didn’t want Anastasia feeling hurt or upset over anything that might be said today. He shouldn’t be taking her there. He straightened his back. He’d support her, no matter what, show Robert and Alice who was important in his life.

‘Are flowers all right for your aunt?’ Anastasia asked tightly.

‘Of course they are. You didn’t have to do that.’ Though Alice would be miffed if she hadn’t.

‘I think I do.’ Her smile was brief.

Fingers crossed for a smile of any sort during the next couple of hours. ‘I hope you’re comfortable with this visit,’ he reiterated.

‘Noah, hush. You’ve already warned me it might be a little cool, and I’m prepared. I can be well mannered if required. Which usually means saying very little.’ Her attempt at laughing at herself fell flat when she started staring out the window.

‘I’m going to tell them Holly’s my daughter.’

Her head spun round. ‘You’re sure about that?’

‘Absolutely.’ Introducing Holly into the mix would raise more questions, but he was prepared for those. She was his daughter, and that, Robert and Alice, was that.

‘Good.’ Her fingers on her free hand were clenched, not exactly backing up that comment. Then she added, ‘Thanks. It means a lot that you’re accepting Holly completely.’

Time for some light relief. ‘Did you bring some music for our girl to break the boredom of travelling?’

Relief filled her face. ‘Sure did.’

Soon the sound of squeaky voices that kids apparently liked filled the interior and Holly was joining in. Noah began to relax.

Finally when he pulled through the gate and started up the long sweeping drive lined with old oak trees, his breath caught in the back of his throat and he was afraid to look at his companion in case he saw an expression that would tell him he’d got it all wrong, that she did want a lifestyle unknown to her and attainable only by fooling him.

Anastasia said nothing until he pulled up outside the wide stairs leading to the front door and she turned to him. ‘What a beautiful home.’ There was nothing but genuine honesty in her face. No avarice or hope or envy.

Noah exhaled. ‘You’re right. It is.’

‘Has it always been in your family?’

‘About two hundred and twenty years. Robert was the oldest brother so it was passed down to him, and my cousin is next in line to own it.’ He was still looking for a reaction that would scream a warning. When none came, he expanded. ‘Thank goodness. I don’t want to live here. It was bad enough in the times I had to come back during holidays. Large, cold rooms that go on for ever. No small, comfortable spaces to be happy in.’

‘Oh, Noah.’ Her hand enveloped his, squeezed tight. ‘That’s hideous.’

One word for it. ‘Yes. Shall we go in?’ Of course neither Alice nor Robert had come to the door to greet them, but Jackson was waiting. Thank goodness some delightful things never changed. Out of the car, he went to get Holly but Anastasia had beaten him to it, clinging to her like a shield.

She looked around once and then at him, her shoulders suddenly tense. ‘Do I look all right?’

Wrapping an arm around her, he tucked her in against him and shut the car door. ‘You’re beautiful.’ He wasn’t lying. Her gleaming dark blonde hair spilled down her back and her funky red earrings bobbed whenever she turned her head. ‘You’re not on display.’ But Alice would take note of every piece of clothing and the hairstyle and those earrings. Damn the woman. Not everyone lived like her, and she’d never accepted that because it was her right to lord it over people about how she was married to a Kennedy.

Tempting as it was to drive away for a relaxed lunch somewhere else, it couldn’t happen. He’d told Robert he’d come, and that meant he had to. And sometime soon he had to let his relatives know he was a father anyway. May as well get that over with.

Taking a quick look around at the familiar land sprawled out beyond the mansion, he thought about those relaxed years in Auckland that already seemed a lifetime ago. Stacey had hit the nail on the head when she’d asked why he’d left there when he was happy. If only he could’ve stayed on down under and ignored the family for good. But irresponsibility wasn’t one of his flaws.

He’d never intended to stay away quite as long as he had, but the months had got away from him as he’d worked with some amazing and friendly plastic surgeons, constantly perfecting his skill level. In reality, he had missed London and his friends, and the gnawing need to find Anastasia just to put his mind at rest that she wasn’t the right one for him had also played a part in buying a ticket home.

He breathed deeply. His mouth dried. His gut churned. Goosebumps rose on his arms. Citrus. Anastasia’s scent. Her mark on him. A scent he couldn’t forget, or their time together that one night. Drawing in another huge lungful of air, the tang of lemons and oranges teased his senses, and set his blood humming. No getting away from that smell that had haunted him for so long. ‘Come on. Let’s get inside where hopefully there’s a fire roaring in some room.’

* * *

Stacey shivered, and not from the cold. She shouldn’t have come. The house was formidable. From another world, and made her feel inferior, which she shouldn’t. She was no different from Noah. Their emotions were the same, they ate meals and worked in a hospital, they were parents to Holly. She shivered again. And he was wealthy beyond her comprehension. This was a timely wake-up call. They couldn’t be together. She didn’t belong. The night she’d gone to his house in the city she hadn’t taken a lot of notice, having been too interested in Noah himself, and where their kisses had been leading. This place was intimidating and she hadn’t gone inside yet. Though that was only a few steps from becoming real.

‘Good morning, Noah.’ The older man in a black suit standing erect at the door smiled happily. ‘It’s good to see you.’

‘Jackson, great to see you, too.’ Noah hugged him. ‘How have you been?’

‘Can’t complain. Nobody listens.’ The man laughed.

‘Jackson, this is Anastasia Wainwright, a friend and colleague of mine. And our daughter, Holly.’

Stacey gasped. Noah had told the butler Holly was his daughter? Just like that? Wow. She could love him for that alone. And the fact he obviously treated everyone with respect and genuine friendliness. Some of her concerns backed off. He would always be caring for her and Holly. How was she going to sort this conundrum out? She loved Noah but did she love him enough to accept all that came with him? When he stood up for her by speaking out about Holly then, yes, she could. She held her hand out to shake Jackson’s. ‘Glad to meet you,’ she said with a smile.

‘You, too, Anastasia. I hope this young man is looking after you.’

Puttin

g a finger to her lips, she pondered the question, and finally said, ‘Can’t say I have any complaints.’

‘Phew. I was waiting with bated breath.’ Noah smiled as though he’d truly been worried. Maybe he had, though not likely about any complaints she might come up with, but more along the lines of regretting bringing her here.

‘Let’s go inside.’ Noah took her elbow.

‘Your aunt and uncle are in the conservatory,’ Jackson informed Noah as he closed the door after them.

Stacey felt Noah flinch. He wasn’t happy about which room they were going to?

‘Thank you, Jackson.’ Then to Stacey he said with an annoyed smile, ‘It’s all right. The conservatory will be very warm.’

But the occupants mightn’t be? Was that the cause of that tight expression? She leaned closer briefly. ‘Everything’s fine.’

‘Yes, of course.’

She’d never heard Noah speak so sharply. She didn’t feel this was about her and Holly, but more about his family. Talking to Jackson, he’d relaxed a little, but that had changed in an instant. Interesting, and worrying. She didn’t want Noah unhappy. It didn’t bode well for the coming hour.

Noah strode into the conservatory. With his hand still on her elbow, Stacey struggled to keep up with him, so her entrance was less than gracious. Gracious? What sort of word was that in her life? A quick glance around at the perfectly potted plants and polished leather chairs and she instantly felt out of place. Then her eyes spied two people sitting very straight in large, uncomfortable-looking seats, watching her and Noah, and Holly. Yes, the woman’s eyes widened as they landed on Holly.

‘Robert, Aunt Alice.’ Noah bobbed his head. His mouth lifted into a facsimile of a smile, nothing like the ones he usually gave her that turned her to mush.

She moved as close to him as possible without looking like she was his pet.

Robert stood up, crossed to give Noah a perfunctory slap on the back. ‘Glad you could come.’

Noah nodded. ‘This is Anastasia Wainwright, a friend of mine. Stacey, my Aunt Alice and Uncle Robert.’

Stacey stepped forward, holding her hand out. ‘Pleased to meet you, Robert.’

The handshake was short and sharp. ‘And I you, Anastasia.’

She stepped around him and approached Noah’s aunt, who was appraising her. And coming up with not a lot for recommendation if that blank expression meant anything. ‘I’m Stacey and I work in the same hospital as Noah. These are for you.’ She presented the bouquet of flowers she’d been gripping while holding Holly. They looked battered and bruised.

‘You’re a doctor?’ Surprise brought some animation to the woman’s face as she took the proffered flowers and immediately handed them to Jackson.

‘Not at all. I’m a nurse and love it.’