appalling injury—’
‘I’m talking about the cosmetic side of things. People who come to the clinic for purely cosmetic reasons. Vanity even …’
‘I’m all for it,’ Lizzie said.
‘Really?’ Leo raised an eyebrow. ‘You don’t sound very sure.’
Lizzie was really struggling. Had she had a formal interview she would have given this question some thought prior to the event, but now it had been thrust upon her. There was no escaping Leo’s eyes as her mind raced for a more convincing response.
‘Why wouldn’t I be all for it?’ Lizzie said. ‘I’ve had a little work done myself.’
‘Really?’ Leo frowned. ‘What?’
Lizzie let out a slightly shrill laugh. ‘I don’t think you’d really expect me to answer that.’
Leo frowned. He could usually spot any work—it was his job after all—and Lizzie had to sit there burning with mortification as his eyes skimmed her face and then dipped briefly before returning to meet her gaze.
‘Can I ask who did your work?’
‘No,’ Lizzie said.
‘Well, whatever he did, it was an excellent job.’
‘She,’ Lizzie said.
‘Now you’ve got me really curious.’
Leo soon got back to being serious as he explained how the clinic ran. ‘I take great pride in my work. My patients often live their lives, or have lived their lives in the spotlight,’ he explained. ‘Like it or not, the world can be a very judgmental place and I do my best for my patients. I respect them immensely for taking care of themselves.’ Lizzie looked up at the determination in his voice. ‘Though I’m seeing fewer clients now as I focus more on the business side of things.’
‘Can I ask why?’ Lizzie was curious. ‘You’re clearly in demand …’
‘Two-fold.’ He nodded his approval of her question. ‘The more elusive I’ve become the more in demand I am and, on a more serious note, I really do want to build the charitable side of things. That’s the reason I’ve persuaded Ethan to come on board. The Hunter Clinic provides many people with very nice lifestyles but we do give back. It’s not just about donating a doctor’s time, though, it’s the hospital beds, the rehabilitation, the family …’
‘I can imagine.’
‘Fundraising is a serious part of my role. I’m very good at the social side of things.’
‘I had heard.’
‘Someone has to be,’ Leo said. ‘I can hardly send in Edward.’
Lizzie frowned.
‘Renowned micro surgeon, absolute genius, lives with his books,’ Leo said. ‘Then there’s Iain.’
‘MacKenzie? The Scottish one?’
Leo nodded. ‘Another brilliant surgeon but useless at small talk. And can you imagine Ethan drumming up business at an A-list function? He drips disdain.’
Lizzie felt guilty doing so but she did give a small laugh because, yes, Ethan wouldn’t be wonderful at schmoozing up to anyone.
‘For all he disapproves …’ Leo mused out loud, and then halted himself and turned the focus back to Lizzie. ‘Ethan said something about you supporting your parents …’
‘He shouldn’t have.’
‘He wasn’t gossiping,’ Leo said. ‘It must be quite a drain on you.’
‘I look out for my parents,’ Lizzie said tartly, embarrassed to be discussing this. ‘The same way that they have always looked out for me. Like you, there comes a time when it’s right to give back.’
‘Okay.’ He wrote on his pad and Lizzie frowned. ‘I was just reminding myself not to go there again.’ He turned her visible discomfort into a smile. ‘Right, I’d better get on. I do have a patient at two who will expect only the most senior staff.’ He opened up a folder and Lizzie saw that despite the effortless small talk this meeting really had been planned because it contained all her paperwork. ‘You’ve signed the confidentiality clause?’ Leo checked.
‘Yes.’
‘You fully understand what you signed?’
‘Of course.’
‘Good. I’ll see you just before two, then. The patient I’m seeing is Marianna Dupont. Have you heard of her?’
Lizzie swallowed. You’d have to be living under a rock not to have heard of Marianna. Since her engagement to Prince Ferdinand of Sirmontane had been announced, their romance had filled the gossip columns. As first in line to the throne, his future wife would one day be queen and from the way Leo was talking, Lizzie was about to meet her.
‘I have heard of her,’ Lizzie said, attempting nonchalance and failing miserably. The wedding wasn’t till next year but it would seem some discreet preparations were being put in place for a woman who would spend the rest of her life living in the eye of the public and on the cover of every magazine.
‘Good,’ Leo said, and as Lizzie went to go his voice caught up with her at the door.
‘The salary.’
‘Sorry?’ Lizzie turned around.
‘You could have just answered that it was the salary that attracted you to the role and I wouldn’t have minded. There’s nothing wrong with wanting nice things.’
‘I know.’
‘And a lot of people have no idea what goes on in a clinic like this till they actually work in one.’
‘I’m already finding that out.’
‘You have to know it to love it,’ Leo explained.
She possibly already did.
MARIANNA WAS SERIOUSLY beautiful.
Gwen showed her through and Lizzie tried to quieten the flutter of nerves in her stomach, telling herself that all patients wanted, rich or poor, was simply to be well cared for.
It didn’t help.
‘Leo!’ Marianna was charming and greeted him like a friend. ‘It’s lovely to see you again.’ Her voice dropped in concern when she saw the dressing on his cheek. ‘What happened there?’
‘Just a small tumble, skiing,’ Leo said, as he kissed her on both cheeks and gave Lizzie just the tiniest wink. ‘How are you?’
‘Nervous,’ Marianna said in her rich accent.
‘This is Lizzie Birch,’ Leo introduced them. ‘Our new head nurse.’
‘It’s lovely to meet you, Lizzie.’ Marianna smiled but she gave a nervous swallow when she turned back to Leo. ‘I am sure that I was photographed coming in.’
‘You used the basement?’
‘I did, but when I was in the car—’
‘You’ll leave by the front door,’ Leo said. ‘Did you wear dark glasses on the way here, like I told you to?’
Marianna nodded. ‘If anyone finds out that I’m having work done, it will be awful.’
‘No one shall find out from us,’ Leo assured her. ‘We’re very used to dealing with this type of thing, though, as we’ve discussed, there are always going to be rumours.’
‘Of course,’ Marianna sighed. ‘I