A Knight To Hold On To Read online

  ‘Do you really want me to let you go, Beth?’

  She looked at his mouth while he spoke, finding it difficult to register the words he was saying. He was close, close enough for her to feel his warm breath on her face, and it was all she could do not to melt completely into his arms. Her tongue came out to wet her lips as she flicked her gaze up to his eyes, knowing the desire she saw there mirrored her own.

  She swallowed. ‘No.’

  He gazed down into her eyes and slowly nodded. ‘I didn’t think so.’

  Lucy Clark began writing romance in her early teens and immediately knew she’d found her ‘calling’ in life. After working as a secretary in a busy teaching hospital, she turned her hand to writing medical romance. She currently lives in South Australia with her husband and two children. Lucy largely credits her writing success to the support of her husband, family and friends.

  Recent titles by the same author:

  CHRISTMAS-DAY FIANCÉE

  COMING HOME TO KATOOMBA

  Blue Mountains A&E

  CRISIS AT KATOOMBA HOSPITAL

  Blue Mountains A&E

  A KNIGHT TO

  HOLD ON TO

  BY

  LUCY CLARK

  CONTENTS

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  CHAPTER ONE

  ‘HOW are you feeling?’ Tristan asked as he brought over a cup of coffee. ‘Here, drink this.’

  ‘No. I can’t. It’ll just churn in my stomach and make me feel worse.’ Beth held up a hand, warding off the coffee-cup.

  ‘How much have you slept all week?’ He sat down beside her. Thankfully the doctors’ tearoom in the emergency theatre block was empty except for the two of them. They’d just come out after five hours of surgery and it was almost eight o’clock in the morning.

  ‘Hardly anything.’

  ‘From one friend to another, sweetheart, it’s starting to show.’

  ‘I’ll sleep tonight. It’ll be over by tonight.’

  ‘It’s not that bad, surely.’

  ‘Tristan, the man I thought I’d never see again is starting work at the hospital in…’She glanced at the clock on the wall ‘…seven minutes’ time.’

  ‘Officially,’ Tristan clarified.

  ‘I don’t feel well. You’re a doctor. Can I go home sick? Quick. Write me a sick certificate.’

  Tristan laughed and shoved her head between her knees. ‘Stay there for a few minutes, then take two paracetamol and don’t call me in the morning.’

  Beth lifted her head. ‘Oh, you’re a riot. Here I am in the middle of my biggest crisis and you’re making jokes.’

  ‘Why is Sir Ryan Cooper working here such a big deal to you?’

  ‘I’ve told you. We shared a…a…moment at the Christmas dinner last year.’

  ‘That was over six months ago, Beth. He’s been working in London, you’ve been working in America. You’ve just returned and he’s come home to Sydney. He’s working here, he’s your boss and he seems like a decent enough guy. What’s the big?’

  Beth raised her eyebrows and chuckled. ‘What’s the big?’ she repeated, amazed. ‘Learned that from your daughter?’

  He smiled. ‘What can I say? She’s twelve.’

  ‘Well, hip daddy, the “big”…’ She made the inverted commas sign with her fingers ‘…as you call it, is that it’s not good to insult the man who might one day be your boss.’

  ‘Or “share a moment” with him.’ Tristan made the same hand gesture. ‘Just relax. I’m sure Natalie would tell you the same thing if she wasn’t so caught up in wedding preparations. How’s that going, by the way?’

  ‘Almost there. Five more days and then she’s Mrs Marty Williams…or is that Dr Marty Williams? Dr Natalie Williams?’ She looked at her friend, a puzzled look on her face.

  Tristan patted her head and stood. ‘Too much for your tired little brain to compute right now. We’d better go. Ward round time. Don’t want to make a bad impression on the new boss.’

  Beth groaned again, feeling her stomach churn once more.

  ‘Hey, look on the bright side.’

  ‘There is one?’

  ‘Thanks to Sir Ryan, Richard Everley’s in London for the next twelve months.’

  Beth laughed. ‘I can always count on you to find a silver lining.’

  ‘Hey, you’re talking to a man who shares a house with his wife and four daughters. Silver linings are my speciality.’

  There was no reason to change out of their theatre scrubs as once ward round was done, they were both due back in Theatre for the elective list. ‘Do you think Sir Ryan will join us in Theatre?’ Beth asked as they walked towards the ward.

  ‘He might. Think you can handle the pressure?’

  ‘Will you hold my hand?’

  ‘Might not be the most effective way to operate. Just think, in six more months we’ll both be qualified orthopaedic surgeons.’

  ‘If I live that long.’ She groaned and shook her head. As they entered the ward, she went through some mental exercises to calm her nerves. At the nurses’ station, she closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She’d just managed to get herself under control when she sensed someone was watching her. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked right into the blue gaze of Sir Ryan Cooper.

  ‘Long night in Theatre, Dr Durant?’

  She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She closed it again, cleared her throat and forced a smile. ‘Not really.’

  ‘Glad to hear it.’

  They both stood staring at each other and it was as though the past six months had melted away and they were back in the restaurant at Christmastime. The chemistry between them was still there, alive and more potent than before. How was that possible? She’d only seen this man a few times and she knew next to nothing about him.

  Ryan forced himself to breathe and as he did, he was treated to the most tantalising perfume…Beth’s perfume. The woman was enough to drive him completely to distraction. Her hair was longer than it had been at Christmas and was pulled back from her face in a no-nonsense ponytail. Her eyes had dark rings around them, testifying to a late night, or rather, he corrected himself, an early morning. Still, even though she was dressed in theatre scrubs, she looked incredibly sexy, as though she’d just got out of bed. He liked what he saw more than he cared to admit.

  He broke the gaze, working hard at controlling his thoughts. This…whatever it was between them couldn’t go anywhere. She was his colleague and he knew of old that work-based relationships never worked. He was starting off in a new hospital, with an excruciating workload, and there would be absolutely no time for a social life, despite the irrepressible tug he felt to gather her into his arms and plant his lips firmly over her own.

  Now that he’d broken the gaze, Beth found she could focus a little more clearly. The moment was over. They’d seen each other, she’d realised the attraction was as strong as ever and there was nothing either of them were going to do about it. He was an arrogant and overbearing surgeon and she was a registrar attached to his unit. That’s all.

  ‘Welcome back, Sir Ryan.’ Tristan walked into the nurses’ station and held out his hand to Ryan, giving Beth time to slip away. She could have kissed Tristan for rescuing her. She headed over to the ward conference room where they started ward rounds, discussing interesting cases and necessary treatments before they set off to see the patients.

  She smiled at her colleagues and sat down, realising belatedly that her hands were shaking. She clenched them together, holding them tight. Ryan and Tristan walked in together. Tristan said something and Ryan smiled, not a smile that met his eyes but, still, the way it relaxed his features just for that moment was enough to make her breath catch in her throat. Did the man have to be so…so…good-looking? So…irresistible?

  Ryan called for quiet and then introduced himself, getting the ward round under way. Beth forced herself to focus. Today’s round would take longer than usual because Ryan would be given a complete update on every patient in the ward by the treating doctor. He asked questions and gave comments, showing his obvious experience in their speciality.

  When it was her turn, Beth shoved all thoughts of the attraction she felt for Ryan out of the way and concentrated on what she was saying.

  ‘Do you think that’s the correct treatment for Mrs Harding?’ Ryan questioned.

  Beth glared at him for a moment. Was he trying to put her down? To discredit her in front of her colleagues? She swallowed and looked down at the case notes, quickly scanning the treatment she’d prescribed. Raising her head, she met his gaze and held it. ‘Yes, I do.’

  ‘Good. I agree.’

  Was that a test? Had he just tested her? Her blood began to boil but once more she kept it under control. When they finally came to Mrs Harding’s bed, Beth watched in astonishment as Sir Ryan smiled and charmed the elderly woman, and she was pleased to note he had a wonderful bedside manner. Some of the more brilliant and accomplished doctors weren’t very good with patient contact, even though they were experts in the operating theatre. It was nice to see this side of Sir Ryan, even though the way he smiled at Mrs Harding only made him look more handsome. Beth gr
owled, knowing this would make the man harder to resist. Almost an hour later, when the round had finally finished, she fled the ward, heading up to elective Theatres, needing to put distance between herself and her new boss.

  ‘Whoa. Hold up there,’ Tristan said, finally catching up with her. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  ‘Beth. I know you better than that.’

  ‘Then you’ll know what’s wrong without asking.’ She wasn’t going to mention her reaction to Sir Ryan’s smiles and tried to recall the earlier anger she’d felt.

  ‘He wasn’t picking on you.’

  ‘No. He was testing me.’

  ‘So? That’s his job, Beth. He’s the big boss and he needs to know what levels his staff are on. Besides, you’re one to talk about tests.’

  ‘Meaning?’

  ‘Have you forgotten your little check-list?’

  ‘That’s completely different.’

  ‘No, it’s not.’They walked into the doctors’tearoom and Beth grabbed a cup and made some coffee.

  ‘It is, so. We’re talking about life-altering decisions here, not second-guessing doctors.’

  ‘I’d say second-guessing doctors could well fall into the life-altering category,’ Tristan mumbled.

  ‘No. My check-list is so I can find the man of my dreams. Someone who understands not only me but my parents as well.’

  ‘I don’t see what the problem is. Your parents are dwarfs. So what? They’re fantastic people.’

  Beth felt her anger slip away and she smiled at Tristan. ‘Why aren’t there more men like you out there?’

  ‘There are,’ he said softly, placing his hand on her shoulder. ‘You’ll find the right guy. Just don’t go tarring and feathering the new chief right away. He might surprise you.’Tristan turned away and helped himself to a biscuit.

  ‘He’s as arrogant as they come and I can’t stand arrogance.’

  ‘You think he’s arrogant?

  ‘Absolutely.’

  Tristan merely shrugged. ‘Perhaps there’s a reason behind that.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Tristan put his arm around Beth’s shoulders. ‘Nothing. Just don’t judge him too quickly.’

  Beth looked down at her coffee-cup, her annoyance with Ryan melting away. Tristan was right…as usual. She smiled up at him. ‘Thanks.’

  ‘Preparing for your operating list?’ Ryan’s deep voice washed over them and Beth snapped her head around to look at him standing in the doorway, dressed in theatre scrubs. How long had he been there? Had he heard them talking about him? Ryan glared at the two of them, specifically at Tristan’s arm about her shoulders.

  ‘Are you joining us?’ Tristan asked.

  ‘Yes.’

  Tristan smiled and removed his arm. ‘Coffee before we begin?’

  ‘I’ll get it.’ Ryan didn’t look at Tristan, his eyes still boring into Beth’s. ‘In fact, I have a job for you, Tristan.’ He finally transferred his gaze to the other registrar. ‘If you go see my secretary, Jocelyn, she’ll give you the details.’

  ‘So I can play my “get out of Theatre free” card?’

  Ryan nodded.

  Tristan’s grin increased as he glanced at Beth. ‘Looks as though your test isn’t over.’ He turned back to Ryan. ‘When do I get tested?’

  ‘I’ll operate with you tomorrow, if that suits?’

  ‘Sure thing, boss.’ Tristan, turned and winked at Beth. ‘I’ll catch you later.’ In the next moment he’d gone, closing the door behind him, which left just Ryan and herself…and the incredible sense of electricity crackling in the air between them.

  They were alone in the room and where Beth usually wished for privacy when she was in here, she now wished it would fill up with people.

  Ryan seemed to realise that standing there, staring at her, wasn’t going to do him much good so he walked over to the bench and opened a cupboard. ‘Can I take any mug?’

  ‘So long as you wash it afterwards.’ Beth shifted away, trying to put some distance between them.

  ‘Tristan seems like a nice person.’

  ‘He is.’

  ‘His personnel file says he’s married.’

  ‘That’s right. He has four girls. Lots of oestrogen in his household.’

  Ryan looked over his shoulder. ‘You know his wife?’

  ‘Juliette? Of course. Tris and I have been working together for the past two years.’

  ‘Except for the last six months which you spent in California, I believe.’

  ‘Yes.’ Beth eyed him coolly. ‘Is anything wrong?’

  ‘No. No. So you’re just friends, then?’

  Beth bristled. ‘You think I’d have an affair with a married man?’

  ‘I don’t know. I hardly know you, Beth.’

  ‘Well, for your information, I wouldn’t.’

  He took a sip of his coffee and nodded. ‘Good to know.’

  ‘You know, contrary to popular belief, men and women can be friends. Besides, I don’t date people I work with.’

  ‘Really?’His eyebrows hit his hairline. ‘That’s not what I’ve heard.’

  Beth was stung. ‘Listening to gossip on your first day?’

  ‘Hardly.’

  ‘Meaning?’

  ‘I accidentally overheard.’

  ‘Overheard what?’

  ‘Two men talking about you in the change rooms.’

  ‘Should I be flattered?’

  ‘They seemed quite impressed you were back.’

  ‘So?’

  ‘Well, I don’t want to alarm you with the details but a bet was made.’

  Beth’s hands began to tremble again and she quickly slumped down into the chair, placing her cup on the floor beside her. She buried her face in her hands for a moment before lifting her head to look at him. She was surprised to find him crouching down just near her, not having heard him move.

  ‘What did they say?’

  ‘That they’d have you out on a date within the next fortnight. Whoever gets the first date wins.’

  Beth closed her eyes and shook her head.

  ‘This doesn’t seem to be such a surprise to you.’ His voice was gentle and she realised the man she’d shared those few moments with at Christmas had finally resurfaced.

  She dragged in a deep breath and opened her eyes. ‘I used to do what I call standard-dating. Before my trip to America, that is. I guess you could say it’s my personalised form of speed-dating.’

  ‘Why?’

  She shrugged. ‘Why does anyone speed-date? They’ve been hurt before.’

  ‘Not necessarily.’ He pulled a chair over and sat down. ‘It’s not like those organised events where you have five minutes to “make a connection”?’

  ‘No. Although I have done that, too.’

  ‘So you just go out on dates?’ ‘Yes. If things don’t work out after that first date, then I don’t go out on another. I’m not into wasting time, hence the term “standard” dating.’

  ‘And you can tell from one date?’

  ‘I’m very picky.’

  ‘So if a man passes the first date, he gets a second?’

  ‘Perhaps.’

  Ryan was looking at her with a strange look in his eyes, as though the idea appealed to him way too much and he was willing to give it a shot. ‘You didn’t get in on the bet, did you?’ she asked warily.

  He smiled…a broad smile that touched his eyes and made them sparkle. ‘No. Should I?’

  Beth swallowed, feeling her mouth go dry with anticipation. Was Ryan making a pass at her? Her heart started pounding wildly against her ribs and her lips parted to allow the pent-up air to escape.

  Why did she have this reaction each time he turned on the charm like this? It wasn’t fair! She didn’t want to be attracted to Ryan Cooper but it appeared she was and it was much easier to fight that attraction when he was being arrogant, overbearing and dictatorial.

  The smile had slowly disappeared from his face and he was now looking at her rather expectantly, obviously waiting for her to answer the question he’d asked. Now, if only she could remember what it was.

  The door to the room opened and the anaesthetist stuck his head around. Beth shifted back into her chair, feeling guilty for some strange reason. ‘There you are, Beth.’

  ‘Hey, Joey.’

  ‘Your first patient’s arrived. I’m just on my way to see him.’

  ‘Thanks. Er, Joey, have you met Sir Ryan Cooper?’