Page 127 of The Scandal You Started
She dully felt Dominic walk up beside her as she glanced around the room in search of Ash.
A few white doors leading to private rooms lined one side of the medical suite, while a set of six computer desks, back-to-back in two rows, was on the other side. Small machines, a wide sink basin, countertops, and cabinets lined the walls around the desks.
With most of the lab staff having gone home already, there was only a single man and woman working around the room, who they greeted. Then Ash, in his blue scrubs, came down the corridor right opposite them that led to other rooms with more medical equipment inside.
“Let me just grab my tablet,” Ash said once they said their hellos. “Then I’ll take you through, Dominic, to one of the rooms.”
He walked away to the row of desks facing the entrance. That was when Dominic rotated to face Monty with a thin-lipped expression.
“What did you mean I could return earlier than planned?” he asked quietly.
Monty smiled and rocked forward on his feet. “Well, with the report nearly complete and the opening of the newTregencyexhibit at the end of August, there’s no need for you to stay for the full four months anymore. We can send you back some time after the gala, once you’ve tied up any loose ends at the museum.”
Dominic’s jaw rolled once, twice as he stared at Monty. Alarm pricked across Rayna’s skin.
Don’t give anything away, Dominic. Don’t make that face, please.
No, don’t bloody look at me like that, dammit.
Thankfully, Ash came back with a tablet in one hand.
“We’ll start with a blood test like last time,” he explained to Dominic, flipping open the thin case and waking up the device’s screen. “But because your last checkup was at the farmhouse, there are a few extra checks we’ll have to do today. Is that okay?”
Dominic nodded. “Yes, that is fine.”
“Great.” Ash turned to her. “It shouldn’t take more than an hour.”
“Cool. I’ll be in my office.”
“I’ll bring him there once we’re done.” Ash shifted back and jerked his head to the side. “If you’ll follow me…”
Dominic’s eyes lingered on Rayna a second too long before he followed Ash. Once they disappeared through the last door in the corner, Rayna left the medical suite with Monty.
“I don’t think Dominic was too excited about my suggestion of leaving earlier than planned,” the older man speculated.
Her heart rattled at hearing the truth spoken aloud, but she played it off with a jokey grin. “He was probably wondering if he had enough time to try everything he wanted to do before going back. Currently, that’s learning about space travel and trying to type as fast as me.”
“Ah.” Monty chuckled. “Well, he might not remember it, but he’s allowed to enjoy himself to the fullest while he’s here. So if there are things he yet wants to try, he can stay for his full length of time. As long as you’re okay with that too.”
“Yeah, that’s fine with me. He’s cool. And he gets on with Uncle Declan and River really well, so he ends up doing a lot with them too.”
“That’s a relief. Though…” The older man tipped his head. “Heisaware that he has to return no matter what, right? As in, you have reminded him, haven’t you?”
For a split second, it seemed like Monty was testing her, and a flustered rush of fearful noise and colour clouded her senses.
Did he know? He couldn’t know. How would he know?
But the head historian’s question wasn’t accusing, and nothing about his eyes still crinkled with a smile suggested he knew, so she quickly wrestled with her panic.
“Yeah, he knows. I’ve reminded him multiple times.”
So many times.And yet he hadn’t taken it in once. He’d instead decided he wanted to stay with her. As her husband.
“Good. Perfect.” Monty adjusted the strap of his satchel. “Well, I’m going to head home now, so I’ll part ways with you here.”
“Sure thing.”
“Give my regards to Dominic,and I hope you two have a good Harvest Holiday over the weekend.”
