Page 190 of Feathers in the Wind
Nat looked at the hand and then grasped it firmly. I had the pleasure of seeing Mark wince at the strength of Nat’s grip.
‘This is an old family friend, Nathaniel Preston. He’s just visiting for a few days,’ I managed.
‘Really?’ Mark sounded skeptical.
Even though our relationship had ended months ago, after I caught him in bed- my bed- with one of the interns, he still exerted a proprietary air over me when he could.
‘He’s asked me to show him around,’ I added, conscious of Nat’s proximity and a protective hand resting on the small of my back. My skin jumped at his touch.
‘Well, I won’t bother you then. You clearly don’t need any additional company. I’ll see you at work tomorrow,’ Mark said with what I recognized as a false cheerfulness. ‘Good to meet you, Preston.’
As I closed the door behind my former lover, Nat regarded me with a quizzical look. ‘He seems to think he has some claim on your affections.’
‘Oh, was it that obvious? Well, he did for a while but it’s over, long over,’ I added.
Nat frowned and glanced at the door. ‘I’m not sure he feels quite the same way.’
I picked up a cushion and threw it at Nat. He ducked. ‘That is none of your business.’
‘I’m afraid, Mistress Shepherd, you have become my concern.’
He retrieved the cushion and threw it back at me. I caught it and restored it to the sofa, sitting down with a thump.
‘Mark and I were engaged to be married. I found out he had other women so I ended it. He’s one of those men who are too used to getting their own way, and he can’t seem to understand what he did wrong. It makes it awkward at work.’
Nat sat in the armchair. ‘He is a doctor too?’
I nodded. ‘A pediatric heart specialist. He is one of the best but there is a certain arrogance that goes with the title of surgeon.’
Nat nodded. ‘He is a doctor of the heart?’
‘Yes. He specializes in children.’
He smiled. ‘I fear your Doctor Westmacott does not truly understand the workings of the heart, to leave yours broken.’
I rose to my feet again and smiled. ‘The heart heals, Nat. It’s the memories that don’t go away. Come on, if we are going to beat the crowds we had better go now.’
* * *
We drove into Northampton,an old town that boasted a busy main street with all the shops I needed to outfit my cavalier.
Nat stared at the bustling modern streets. ‘I knew this town well.’
‘Different?’
‘Unrecognizable.’
A group of young girls in tight jeans and brief tops crossed in front of us at the lights. Nat cast a sideways glance at me. ‘I don’t think I will ever get used to the sight of women in breeches, although I will always treasure the memory of my first sight of you.’
‘I’m wearing a skirt today,’ I pointed out.
We parked, and I headed straight for Marks and Spencers. Nat strolled beside me, his gaze lingering a little too long on the pretty girls in their summery fashions. One of the more exotic lingerie shops particularly caught his attention. I caught his arm and wrested him away.
‘You men are all the same.’
He looked at me with wide, innocent eyes and a half smile indicating he knew exactly what I meant.
‘Jessie.’ I turned at the sound of my name, my heart falling at the sight of Jenny Young, one of the young doctors from the hospital, pushing her way through the crowd to reach me.
