The Doctor's Engagement. Sarah Morgan

Mark.’ Holly’s voice was soft. She knew that he would never gossip or do anything unethical. If he was telling her this then there must be a reason.

      ‘It’s pretty sad really.’ He poured wine into a glass and passed it to her. ‘Apparently she was engaged to some man—was crazy about him by all reports—and he stood her up at the altar. Literally. Just never turned up on the day, no explanation, nothing.’

      ‘Oh, no!’ Holly gave a gasp of horror. The poor woman. That was an awful thing to happen to anyone.

      ‘It affected her really badly.’ Mark sat down and stretched long legs out in front of him. ‘It was a huge wedding with most of the town present, so it was a pretty awful thing to do.’

      ‘Wicked,’ Holly agreed, her green eyes appalled. ‘So what happened to poor Caroline afterwards?’

      Mark shrugged. ‘Well, she’d resigned her job because he’d promised to take her travelling, but Ian took her back.’

      ‘That was nice of him.’

      Mark nodded slowly. ‘He’s a nice guy. It must have been a difficult decision for him really. He’s incredibly supportive and loyal towards his staff, so he would have wanted to take her back, but deep down he must have known that she was going to take a long time to recover from something like that. It was bound to have a negative effect on the practice.’

      ‘You said “was”.’ Holly raised her eyebrows. ‘Isn’t it a problem any more?’

      ‘Well, she seems to be getting better.’ Mark stared thoughtfully across the estuary. ‘Lately we’ve all seen an improvement in her mood. Despite the way she behaved to you this morning.’

      Holly shrugged. ‘She wasn’t so bad.’

      Mark gave a wry smile. ‘But, then, you never see bad in anyone.’

      ‘That’s not true—it’s just such an awful thing to happen to anyone.’ Holly murmured, her expression troubled. ‘I’m not surprised she wasn’t welcoming. Especially if the reason she’d cheered up was because she’d suddenly found another man she was attracted to.’

      ‘You’re very perceptive.’

      ‘Not really.’ Holly gave a shrug. ‘I suppose she felt as though she could never find another man attractive, and then suddenly you come along, handsome and generally gorgeous, and her heart lifts slightly, only to be dashed into the ground when she discovers you’re not interested.’

      ‘Don’t!’ Mark raked long fingers through his dark hair and gave a long sigh. ‘I feel guilty enough already without you spelling it out.’

      Holly reached across and squeezed his hand. ‘I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to make you feel guilty. It isn’t your fault. You can hardly have a relationship with her out of pity. I’m just saying it’s a sad situation.’

      ‘I know that,’ Mark said gruffly, his eyes closed, his thick dark lashes touching his angular cheeks. ‘And the truth is, it didn’t happen exactly the way you suggested. Apparently she’d started to recover, and she’d been on a few dates with Greg—that’s the GP I was telling you about that I sail with—and then she saw me.’

      Holly gave a sigh. ‘What is it with you and women?’

      ‘Not my fault!’ He gave her a black look. ‘Anyway, she stopped seeing Greg and seemed to develop this wild, almost teenage crush on me. Horrendous! Maybe I should have just been blunt with her, but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings so I thought it would be gentler if I just said I was already involved.’

      ‘And a fictitious fiancée seemed the most gentle approach...’

      Mark opened her eyes. ‘Did I do the wrong thing?’ Suddenly he looked unsure. ‘You’re a woman, Holly, you know how the female mind works. Was I wrong?’

      It was the first time in her life she had ever seen Mark question a decision he’d made.

      ‘No,’ Holly said finally. ‘I don’t think you did the wrong thing. I think it’s an impossible situation really. Whatever you did, her feelings would have been hurt. But we can’t pretend to be engaged for ever. Sooner or later you’ll get fed up with not being able to seduce women and we’ll have to part company.’

      ‘I’m off women at the moment,’ Mark muttered, helping himself to some cashew nuts. ‘And by the time you and I “part company”, as you put it, I hope things will have moved on and she’ll have realised what a nice chap Greg is. I’ve been working on it, subtly.’

      ‘You? Subtle?’ Holly put a hand over her mouth to suppress the giggles. ‘Sorry. You are many things, Mark Logan, but subtle certainly isn’t one of them.’

      Mark stopped chewing and pretended to look affronted. ‘Are you insulting me?’

      ‘Probably.’ Holly nodded, her eyes still alight with humour. ‘Do you really think you should be matchmaking?’

      ‘I’m not really matchmaking.’ Mark shrugged and pulled a face. ‘If it weren’t for me, I’m sure they’d be together anyway. I’m trying to remind her that she was interested in him—that there are plenty more fish in the sea.’

      ‘Plenty more fish in the sea? I’d love to know where they’re hiding.’ Holly picked up her drink and took a sip. ‘I only find the equivalent of whelks and clams. I’m still waiting to meet a glossy trout.’

      Mark laughed and his dark eyes teased her. ‘In that case, no wonder you’re still a virgin.’

      She poked her tongue out at him. ‘I never, ever should have told you that.’ Hastily she changed the subject. ‘So, go on. Tell me more about Greg.’

      ‘Well, he’s the chap I sail with.’ Mark leaned across the table and took an olive. ‘He’s a partner in a practice on the other side of town. I even thought maybe we could make up the occasional foursome to try and bring them together again if it doesn’t seem to be working out.’

      Holly thought of the look that Caroline had given her when she’d arrived. ‘I’m not sure she’d relish my company.’

      Mark gave a crooked smile. ‘She will once she knows you better.’

      ‘I hope you’re right.’ Holly gave him an affectionate look. ‘I must say, I’m very proud of you for being so sensitive about her feelings.’

      He lifted an eyebrow. ‘I thought you said I was incapable of sensitivity?’

      ‘You are normally,’ Holly said honestly. ‘Well, at least when it comes to people who fancy you.’

      ‘Am I really that bad?’ He gave a short laugh. ‘The truth is, I felt sorry for her—and a bit responsible. I didn’t want to make things worse.’

      Holly blinked. ‘Mark Logan, there’s hope for you after all.’

      ‘Must be old age,’ Mark said with a sigh. He slouched lower in his chair and rested one ankle on top of a powerful thigh. ‘I’m obviously losing my sense of perspective. Here I am, having dragged you all the way down here to pretend to be crazy about me—hell, is it going to work?’

      ‘Of course it is,’ Holly said firmly, determined to make it work now she understood the situation more clearly. ‘We can easily pretend to be engaged. As you said, we know each other well enough, don’t we?’

      His smile was wry. ‘Absolutely. Come on, let’s unpack the rest of your stuff and get changed for supper.’

      ‘But what about tonight? We haven’t worked out what we’re going to say.’ Holly put a hand on his arm, feeling the solid muscle under her fingers. She’d forgotten how strong Mark was. Suddenly, for the first time in months, she felt safe. ‘If I’m supposed to be engaged to you, we need to decide on a story. Ian didn’t ask me anything personal when I met him on Tuesday, and frankly it’s just as well. I haven’t