Ecstasy Wears Emeralds Read Online Free PDF Page B

bark at each other from now until the end of time and you’ll never know what I can do!” She pressed her lips together, and Rowan wished she hadn’t. The simple gesture was a distraction that drew his attention to her full pink lips just when he needed his wits most. Thankfully, she didn’t notice and continued speaking. “If you mean to be right in this argument, Dr. West, then you will have to prove me wrong.”
    And there it was. The answer to his problems.
    She’ll quit after a fortnight of training and limp from the house with her baggage—and then she can find another use for her fortunes and a better dream to pursue. Instead of coddling her and begging her to see reason, I’ll treat her like I would a man, and it will be Miss Gayle Renshaw who will realize that there are some lines not worth crossing.
    â€œI cannot believe I’m saying this, Miss Renshaw, but it seems I am going to have to prove that you are wrong and accept this insane proposal of yours.”
    For a single second, her mouth fell open in shocked surprise before she caught herself and gave him a wary look of suspicion. “You’re accepting me? Just like that?”
    â€œWhat do you mean just like that ? You’ve almost browbeaten me into another headache, woman. It’s either bend to your arguments and take you on as an apprentice, or toss you out kicking and screaming onto my doorstep, and truthfully, I cannot have insane women throwing fits on my steps. It is very bad for business and almost impossible to explain to my neighbors.”
    Suspicion flowed into warm gratitude that melted the ice in her violet eyes, and when she smiled, Rowan had to remind himself to breathe. His new apprentice’s charms were undeniable, but only a fool would forget that desire in this instance was tantamount to suicide.
    â€œThank you, Dr. West! You won’t regret this decision! I won’t disappoint y—”
    â€œWait! Since we’ve established that I do in fact care about my reputation, we proceed only so long as you are discreet about the arrangement. No grand announcements of your training and no formal titles given until I give the word.”
    â€œAnd what should I tell people when asked why I reside in your home or why I am here?”
    â€œYou can tell them that you are assisting me or learning to be a nurse.”
    She hesitated and he could almost hear the wheels in her beautiful head grinding out the details of his request and digesting its meaning. “Is that what you will tell people?”
    â€œProbably. Beyond a very few close friends and my household staff, the fewer people aware of our true arrangement the better for you. After all, word will spread like wildfire if you’re foolish enough to fan about the existence of a woman attempting to become a doctor—a fire hot enough to draw the attention of your aunt in Standish Crossing, and then where will you be?”
    She bit her lower lip and crossed her arms defensively, but he could see that he’d scored a few points of logic. While he might not want Mrs. Jane Hamilton on his doorstep, neither did she, and for the first time, he felt a certain kinship with Miss Gayle Renshaw.
    At last, she nodded. “I will be the soul of discretion, Dr. West.”
    â€œThen I’ll have my solicitor draw up the usual documentation for your signature this afternoon. You’ll occupy the room I have set aside for my assistant, and I will require all the work and study of you that I would have from any man in your position, if not more.” Rowan paused, and then went on to the practicalities. “As for the master’s fee, keep it. I don’t need your money, Miss Renshaw, and I think I’ll sleep better at night knowing that you have something to fall back on, in case—”
    â€œI. Won’t. Fail.” She bit off each word, her hands clenched at her sides. “And every decent