The Doctor's Engagement. Sarah Morgan

Чтение книги онлайн.

       CHAPTER TWO

      ‘OH, MARK, it’s stunning!’

      Holly stared at the house which was perched on the clifftop with views across the estuary and out to sea.

      ‘Great, isn’t it?’ Mark helped drag her cases out of the boot. ‘Wait until you see inside.’

      Holly slammed the car door and followed Mark through the front door of the house and into a huge, glass-walled living room.

      ‘Oh, my goodness.’ She strolled over to the windows that hugged all three sides of the living room, giving an almost panoramic view. ‘This is fabulous. How on earth did you manage to get your hands on this?’

      ‘Right place, right time, as they say. Come and see my deck. The view’s fantastic. If I crane my neck I can see my boat.’ He gave her a smug grin and unlocked the French windows, opening up one side of the living room so that she could step onto the bleached wooden decking that curved around the house.

      He was right. The view was breathtaking. She closed her eyes and breathed in the air, enjoying its salty freshness.

      ‘Have you done lots of sailing?’

      ‘Masses.’ Mark dropped onto one of the solid wooden chairs that surrounded a large table. ‘There’s a GP in the neighbouring practice who’s keen and he’s been crewing for me.’

      ‘Poor man!’ Holly rolled her eyes and smiled. ‘I remember sailing with you in our teens. It was a nightmare!’

      Mark lifted an eyebrow. ‘I thought you loved our sailing.’

      ‘You yelled at me, Mark.’ Holly paced along the deck and looked at the view in the other direction. ‘This is fantastic.’

      ‘Did I yell?’ Mark sounded astonished and Holly turned and leaned against the balcony, wisps of blonde hair flying across her face as the wind gusted gently.

      ‘Never mind that. Tell me about Caroline.’

      ‘Later.’ Mark stretched out long legs and his dark eyes narrowed as they fixed on her face. ‘I want to know what’s been happening to you. I haven’t seen you for five months and phone calls aren’t the same. Bring me up to date. How’s your love life?’

      ‘Oh, you know.’ Holly gave a careless shrug. ‘Still kissing frogs.’

      Mark threw back his head and laughed. ‘And not one of them has turned into a handsome prince?’

      ‘Not that I noticed,’ Holly quipped lightly, trying to skirt over the fact that her love life was totally non-existent.

      ‘So you still haven’t lost your virginity?’ Mark gave her a gentle wink and she blushed prettily.

      ‘Why on earth was I stupid enough to tell you that?’ she muttered crossly, and Mark chuckled.

      ‘Because we’ve always told each other everything.’ He shook his head slowly, his face alight with amusement and incredulity as he looked at her. ‘I can’t believe some lucky man hasn’t swept you off your feet.’

      ‘Well, they haven’t,’ Holly said flatly, and Mark’s smile faded.

      ‘So is that what’s wrong?’

      Holly stiffened and turned to look across the bay. Anything rather than meet the sharp look in his eyes. Mark was far too perceptive.

      ‘Nothing’s wrong—’

      ‘You’re a lousy liar,’ he said softly, suddenly serious. ‘Holly, you’ve lost weight and you’ve got dark circles under your eyes. And don’t turn your back on me.’

      She hesitated and then turned to face him, her expression haunted. ‘It isn’t anything—’

      ‘Holly!’ his voice was a threatening growl and she gave a wry smile that cost her a great deal in terms of effort.

      ‘Well, let’s just say it isn’t anything you can do anything about.’ She coloured slightly under his intense scrutiny. She didn’t feel ready to tell him yet.

      ‘Is it work or a man?’ His tone was blunt.

      ‘Mark, it really doesn’t matter—’

      ‘Work or a man?’ he persisted, and she sighed in exasperation.

      ‘You don’t ever give up, do you?’

      ‘No.’ His gaze was steady. ‘So now you’ve remembered that, perhaps you’ll answer my question. Work or a man? Surely it wasn’t—what was his name? Simon. Are you still seeing Simon?’

      ‘No.’ Holly shook her head, securing strands of blonde hair behind her ear. ‘No, I’m not.’

      ‘Good thing, too,’ Mark growled, dark eyes narrowed. ‘He wasn’t right for you. His eyes were too close together.’

      ‘So were his affairs.’ Holly’s voice was quiet and Mark stared at her.

      ‘He had affairs? While he was with you?’ His jaw tightened and his expression was ominious. ‘Give me his address—’

      ‘Mark, no,’ Holly interrupted him hastily, knowing that Mark was more than capable of tracking down Simon and defending her rather too vigorously. ‘I don’t need you to intervene—but thanks for the thought.’

      Mark’s anger was still evident. ‘Were you in love with him?’ His voice was sharp. ‘Is that why you’ve got the shadows under your eyes? Did he hurt you?’

      Holly shook her head and gave him a wan smile. ‘No, I wasn’t in love with him. And, no, he didn’t hurt me—not really, so you can dismount from your white charger.’

      Mark watched her for a long moment, his eyes intent on hers. ‘OK,’ he said finally, a frown touching his brows, ‘but if he isn’t responsible for your drawn appearance, who is?’

      ‘No one!’ Holly wrapped her arms round her waist and paced over to the far side of the deck. ‘It was СКАЧАТЬ