Page 111 of The Wrong Husband
He smiles in satisfaction and keeps his arm about my waist, probably realizing I’ve already lost my ability to stay upright.
"Thank you for coming out at such short notice." He shakes Edward’s hand.
"You're lucky I was in Spain for work.” Edward turns to me. "Congratulations, Mrs. Davenport."
That’s…me?That’s me. I take his proffered hand. "Thank you," I echo Connor.
"I’m sure there will be time for us to meet properly, but I believe you have a yacht waiting?" He smiles at Connor.
"A yacht?"
"You didn’t think I was going to let us return without a honeymoon, did you?"
Our gazes meet, that chemistry between us roaring to the surface.
Edward clears his throat. "I need to be getting back."
Connor shakes his hand for a second time. "Thanks again, Ed. Appreciate it."
"You two have a wonderful honeymoon." Another nod in my direction, and he leaves.
And then it strikes me. A sharp jolt of realization. “I need to get back to the ER.”I whirl toward Connor, my chest tightening. “I can’t just disappear. What if they need me?”
“You have leave saved up,” he says gently. “And I promise, I’ll have you back in three days.”
I hesitate. He’s right. I do have holidays I’ve never taken. “But?—”
“I called Arthur while you were asleep,” he says, his tone deceptively casual, “and told him we were eloping. He was so relieved that I was getting married, he agreed to give me access to the money in my trust right away. I’ve arranged to donate part of it to Archway Hospital.”
I blink. “You—what?” My voice trembles. My heart beats so hard and so fast, I feel dizzy. “You didthat?”
A tide of emotion crashes over me. My lungs feel too tight to breathe.He did that—for me?For the ER. For the hospital. I can almost see the beds filled, the monitors blinking, the staff I love so much able to keep doing what they do best.Hope.It floods me, dizzying and golden. I feel like I’m flying, and somehow, drowning, all at once.
“Of course,” there’s a cautious edge to his voice. “I also spoke to James to let him know we were eloping. He’s one of my best friends. We met because of him. It felt right to inform him.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I messaged him too.”
“Good,” he lowers his chin, almost sheepish. “I hope you don’t mind that I took the liberty of informing the hospital management that we were getting married and…that you wouldn’t be back at work for the rest of the week.”
For a second, I’m too stunned to speak.
Then, softly, “Okay.”
He blinks. “You’re not upset?”
I shake my head, a slow smile curving my lips. “Maybe a little surprised at how quickly you got everything done. And yeah, part of me wishes I’d been the one to tell them myself—but honestly?” I exhale. “You thought of everything. You handled it all, so I don’t have to worry. Not once did you make me feel small or sidelined. So no, Connor. I’m not upset. I’m…” My voice thickens. “I’m in awe of you.”
He jerks his chin, a muscle flickering along his jaw. “I didn’t want to wake you. And I wanted to make sure they had time to arrange cover.” He looks almost boyish now. Uncertain. “I promise, I’ll do better next time.”
I step closer, pressing my palm to his chest, right over that steady, solid heartbeat.
“You’re incredible. You know that?”
I’m still coming to terms with the fact that the ER is probably going to be safe. That my colleagues will, hopefully, keep their jobs.Andthe hospital is going to get the funding it needs too.
I’m also so overwhelmed, my thoughts race around in my head.
“And you weren’t kidding when you said you Davenports have clout.” I half-laugh.
