The Doctor's Proposal Read Online Free

bitterly. ‘Who cares what you meant? You’ve insulted us in every way possible. But…’ She hesitated. ‘Angus is dying?’
    His smile faded. ‘He’s dying,’ he said softly. ‘Maybe not tonight, but soon. Much sooner if he’s left alone. He’s refusing oxygen and pain relief, he has heart trouble as well, he won’t let the district nurse near, and if you really are a doctor—’
    â€˜If you don’t believe me—’
    â€˜Sorry.’ He needed to do some placating here, he thought. Fast. ‘Angus is my friend,’ he said softly. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve sounded abrupt but I hate leaving him alone. If you agree to stay here tonight you’ll be making up for a lot.’
    â€˜Making up for…?’
    â€˜Neglect.’
    Mistake. ‘We have not neglected anyone!’ It was practically a yell and he gazed at her in bewilderment. She turned a great colour when she was angry, he thought. Her eyes did this dagger thing that was really cute.
    Um…that meant what exactly?
    That meant he was being dumb.
    Cut it out, he told himself crossly. You have hours of house calls. Move on.
    â€˜OK,’ he agreed. ‘You didn’t neglect Angus. You didn’t know about Angus. I’ll accept that.’
    â€˜That’s noble of you,’ she snapped. She glanced behind to the car, but the woman in the passenger seat didn’t appear to be moving. ‘Angus really does need help?’ she asked. ‘Medical help?’
    â€˜He really does. Personal as well as medical. Urgently.’
    â€˜We’ll stay, then,’ she told him, and it was his turn to be taken aback.
    â€˜Just like that. You don’t need to consult your sister?’
    â€˜Susie’s past making decisions.’
    He frowned. ‘You said she’s ill. What’s wrong with her?’
    â€˜She’s not so ill that she can’t stay here the night. I assume there’s bedding.’
    â€˜There are fourteen bedrooms. Deidre—Angus’s wife—was always social. No one’s been in them for years but once a month the housekeeper airs them, just in case.’
    She was only listening to what was important. ‘So there’s room to stay. The bedrooms are on the ground floor?’
    â€˜Some of them are, but—’
    She wasn’t listening to buts. She was moving on. ‘Where’s the housekeeper?’
    â€˜She doesn’t live in. She comes in three times a week from Dolphin Bay.’
    â€˜He really is alone.’
    â€˜I told you.’
    â€˜And I heard,’ she snapped. ‘Fine. Go and tell him we’re coming.’
    â€˜Who did you say you were?’
    â€˜I’m Kirsty McMahon.’ She drew herself up to her full five feet four inches and rose on her toes so a bit more was added. ‘Dr Kirsten McMahon. My sister, Susan, was married to Rory, His Lordship’s nephew.’
    â€˜The Rory who was killed.’ He hesitated. ‘I remember. Kenneth—another of Angus’s nephews—told Angus some months ago that his brother had been killed in the States. I’m sorry. But—’
    â€˜Just leave it,’ she said bitterly. ‘All you need to know is that we couldn’t care less about any inheritance. So let’s just stop with the judgement. Go and tell His Lordship who we are and let me get my sister settled for the night.’
    Â 
    She was gorgeous.
    She was a lifesaver.
    He left them and, with Boris loping beside him, made his way back into the house. He had keys—something he’d insisted on when Angus had had his last coronary—and he knew the way well, so he left Boris—sternly—at the foot of the stairs and made his way swiftly up to the old man’s apartments.
    A doctor here. The thought was unbelievable. His mind was racing forward but for now… He had to focus on Angus.
    Angus wasn’t in bed. He was