The Surgeon's Blade (12 page)

Libby didn’t answer because that was exactly what Nigel would have wanted. He would have expected her to wait by the telephone until he rang.

“Okay, I’ll give you a lift back to Hamble Point. But for God’s sake don’t apologise to him. We’ve done nothing wrong.” He looked and sounded extremely exasperated.

“I know that, you know that. You have to understand something, Robert, and that is Nigel is under a lot of strain at the moment. He has such a responsible job, and the pressures that come with it are huge.”

“We all have responsibilities, Libby. My own occupation is not all a bowl of cherries.” He caught the obstinate look in her eye and held up his hands. “Okay, okay. I get the message. I’ll drive you back to him. Just don’t expect me to coming running when—”

“When what, Robert? Were you going to say, when we’re finished? Is that what you think? Nigel and me won’t make it together? Oh, very funny! Well let me tell you something. Nigel is kind and honest, and I can’t see him throwing his attention onto someone else’s fiancé. I think we better cool it right here and now. I’ll get a taxi – no, don’t bother. I never want to see you again. You can keep your blessed boat.” She shouted. “I’m off.”

“You're mad, do you know that? Throwing yourself at him. I’ve seen his sort before. Libby, I’m telling you, he’s not the one. Trust me.”

Libby was out of the cabin and already half-way across the cockpit. “Oh really, and now you’re going to tell me that you are, I suppose? Well, I wouldn’t want you if you were the last person on earth. Goodbye!” she spat back at him.

Chapter 11

Robert watched as Libby clambered over the side rail and jumped down on to the pontoon. Without another look in his direction she ran off towards the marina office where he knew she would find a list of taxi numbers.

Damn the man! And damn her! Just when he thought everything was going so nicely. Robert was sure Libby enjoyed their day together – like she had obviously enjoyed last night in Alfredo's. Robert had planned a nice family visit to see his sister. That would have convinced Libby of his honourable intentions, and he felt sure he could easily have persuaded Libby to spend more time with him afterwards.

He was surprised at her reaction. Sure, she was bound to be nervous where Nigel was concerned. He came across as a real power freak and totally possessive. Robert was more furious with himself when Libby had seen Nigel on his deck – he should have made sure she was below fixing a coffee or something, and it was his own fault for not discovering for himself where Nigel kept his boat. He was usually a much more careful planner. Another mistake like this, and he would have blown his plans – and he did have plans – and Libby featured very highly in them.

Chapter 12

While she was in the taxi, Libby went over and over the dreadful scene with Robert. Whatever had possessed her to say such awful things? She wasn’t normally so rash and impulsive, but he had riled her so. Dratted man. She pushed him to the back of her mind as the cab approached the entrance to Hamble Point marina. What was she going to say to Nigel? How would she explain her morning with Robert? Thankfully, she didn’t have to mention their dinner together last night. She felt sick inside as she paid the driver his money, not noticing his grin when she told him to keep the change. It wasn’t every day he was given a large tip, especially on such a short journey. With a feeling of despondency, Libby began walking slowly towards
Tourbillon
.

Nigel was nowhere to be seen on deck. Not wishing to anger him further by going on board without his permission, she rapped timidly on the hull. Her mind was whirling in confusion while she waited for him to appear. When he did, she found she was tongue-tied.

“Well, are you going to come on board or not? Or have you had a better offer today and are here with some feeble excuse?” he asked with an icy note in his voice.

Libby removed her shoes and climbed onto the yacht. “Can I just explain?” she began before he interrupted her.

“Libby, I’m not interested in your excuses. All I know is I saw my fiancée with another man. One who’s been doing his best to steal you away from me. Can I ask you something? Are you sleeping with him? Because you certainly don’t want to sleep with me just lately. I’m at my wit’s end with you, Libby. Just what are you playing at? Why are you acting so cheap?”

Libby gulped in horror at his suggestion and stammered as she answered him. “No, of course I’m not. Nigel, I’m
so sorry
not to have been here when you returned. If you’d only rung me or left a text message, I’d have joined you at once. I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Ha! Obviously not. And do you mean, give you some notice?”

“Nigel! Listen! Robert means nothing to me. He really is just a friend. If you’ll let me explain—”

“Libby, do you really expect me to listen to more of your lies? I know what I saw. You were with another man, and it wasn’t the first time. Yes, I did try to telephone you last night but got no answer from your mobile. Neither could I make contact this morning. Little did I know that my darling fiancée was off having fun with someone else.”

“My mobile was turned off because I went to a concert with Jem and Simon. Later, I just forgot to turn it back on as I was in the hospital. I promise you, it’s the truth. You can ask them if you like.”

“Humph. What were you doing at the hospital? And when did you organise your little jaunt with whatshisname around the Solent? Or was that another coincidence, him just turning up out of the blue?” he scoffed.

Libby muttered that this was the case, knowing full well that it sounded as lame to her ears as it must have to Nigel’s.

“Nigel – I don’t know what to say to make you believe me.” To her horror her eyes began to fill with tears. Within seconds her face was streaming.

He gave an exasperated sigh and handed her a hankie. “Do stop dripping all over the deck. You’ll ruin the teak. You’d better come below. I don’t want to spend the rest of the afternoon up here with all and sundry looking on.”

Libby sniffed, wiped her face and followed him down the companionway into the saloon.

“Sit down.” Nigel indicated one of the settees. His face was cold as he studied her. “Would you like a drink?” he asked, holding up a bottle of white wine. She nodded and tried to smile, wishing everything to be right between them. She never considered she was a weak female, but she loathed scenes and dreaded falling out with boyfriends.

Nigel disappeared into his cabin, and Libby sat down upon one of the saloon settees.
Tourbillon
was huge compared to Robert’s
Caterina.
Not only was she a bigger yacht, she was swankier too. As much as she admired Nigel’s racing yacht, Libby discovered that she actually preferred Robert’s smaller more intimate boat.

Nigel returned to the galley from his cabin and turned his back on her as he uncorked the wine and got out a couple of glasses. There was silence while he poured the Chablis and passed a glass over to Libby. She took a couple of sips and discovered the wine was enjoyable. Hating the silence and not knowing how to break it, she drank most of it down in haste, as it gave her something to do. Nigel topped her glass up before even taking a mouthful from his own.

After a tense few minutes, he finally spoke. “As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one solution to this.”

Libby wondered what he was thinking of. Was he going to suggest they split up? A slight dizziness came over her, and his voice seemed to be waver as if from a distance. She sat more upright in an attempt to pull herself together. She did feel odd; she felt really dizzy now, almost as if she was wading through cotton wool. Concentrating, she gave him her best attention.

“You’d better move in with me as soon as possible. That way I’ll know you’re definitely mine and no one else’s. We can be together whenever I’m down here.”

Libby felt her tears welling up again and a lump in her throat. Whatever was the matter with her? She was never this emotional. She struggled to be rational and decided she didn’t deserve Nigel. He was so good to her. Relieved he seemed to have forgiven her, she nodded her answer.  Libby didn’t notice his triumphant look as Nigel realised he had achieved his goal. He sipped his wine while watching her from the galley. Libby buried her face in her glass while finishing her drink.

Libby suddenly felt weak and sleepy. Her eyelids fluttered as she lifted her head to say something and yawned instead. She was stupid staying up late with Robert last night. All she wanted to do now was lie down and go to sleep.

Placing his glass on the galley worktop, Nigel walked over to Libby and pulled her into his arms.

“Libby, you don’t know what this means to me,” he muttered into her hair. “We’ll be so happy together, okay?” Without waiting for an answer he crushed his mouth to hers, leaving her breathless and weak-kneed. Her limbs felt so heavy and leaden. Without another word, he swept his arm under her legs, picked her up and carried her into his cabin. As he snatched her clothes from her, Libby found she could hardly keep her eyes open and shivered in anticipation. She was vaguely aware as Nigel stripped off his shirt and fumbled with his fly, and then with a cry of triumph he flung himself down upon her.

Hours later, while Nigel was sleeping, Libby felt around the bed for her clothes. She still felt odd: dizzy and disorientated, it was almost like she was drunk. She dressed, and stole up onto the deck without disturbing him. The late evening was a promise of a beautiful day tomorrow. Libby saw nothing of it. Confused, she allowed her tears to fall. She sensed she and Nigel had made love. She was sore and bruised between her legs, but try as she might, she couldn’t actually remember having sex. She remembered nothing about his body, his kisses or his lovemaking. Perhaps the strangest fact of all was she
never
remembered making love with him –
ever.

Libby had a sense she had sealed her own fate somehow. She couldn’t remember, but she got the impression she had agreed to do something. She loved him, she was sure of it, but she still had this feeling of needing more time. What was she going to do?

Chapter 13

Libby felt happier when she returned to work. Since her argument with Robert, she found herself questioning all her thoughts and actions. By throwing herself back into her duties on the busy surgical ward, she had little time to dwell on her problems.

Personnel made good their promise and the senior sister on her ward, Lisa Williams, made sure that Libby didn’t overdo the heavier work.

“It’s not every day you get knocked out and lose your marbles, is it?” she joked, while they were sitting in the ward office discussing their patients. “If you have a relapse, they’ll blame me. So light duties for you, my girl.” She held out a packet of chocolate biscuits to Libby. “I’ve got a real taste for these all of a sudden.”