AURORA STRIPPED THE SHEETS off another bed, free now due to little Greta’s recovery. Dr. Reardon had finally deemed the child well enough to return to the girls’ dormitory, leaving only three children in the common room. Delia, Felicia, and Anthony had been the most compromised by the illness and were taking longer to bounce back. But with time and care, Aurora felt certain they would regain full health.
Across the room, Colleen rose from Delia’s bedside. She stretched and rubbed a hand across the base of her spine. Quiet alarm wound its way through Aurora’s system. For the past few days, she’d noticed Colleen’s pallor and lack of energy. Despite Colleen’s protests, Aurora had managed to take her temperature, relieved to find it normal. Still, an underlying fear nagged at her that Colleen wasn’t well.
Colleen crossed the room and stopped to help Aurora fold the blankets.
“A couple more days and Delia should be able to go home.” Aurora picked up a bundle of laundry to take to the basement.
Instead of smiling, Colleen’s expression became somber. “I have a favor to ask, Aurora.”
“Of course. What is it?”
“That phone call I received earlier was about my mother. She’s taken a turn for the worse and is asking for me. My father and sister want me to come home.”
Aurora set the laundry down. “I’m so sorry, Colleen.” Aurora couldn’t imagine Mrs. O’Leary, such a vital, energetic woman, lying close to death. “What can I do?”
“Take care of my daughter.” Tears shone in Colleen’s eyes. “As much as I hate to leave her, if Mama dies, I’d never forgive myself for not going.”
Aurora impulsively wrapped her in a tight embrace. Any old resentment she held toward Colleen and her family had vanished—one good thing to come out of this shared crisis. “You know I’ll look after Delia like she was my own.”
“Thank you.” Colleen’s whisper was barely audible. “I’d better go. I have to freshen up and pack a few things. Rylan will take me to the train.”
“I’ll be praying for your mother.”
Colleen nodded and left the room.
Aurora talked to each of the children and made sure they were resting comfortably before gathering the bedding and hurrying out into the hallway. She descended the stairs, heading toward the basement utility room, still preoccupied with Colleen’s troubles. She rounded a corner and smacked straight into a hard chest. The pile of laundry slid to the floor. At the same time, a hand grasped Aurora about the waist to steady her. She looked up into Gabe’s twinkling eyes.
He grinned. “Most girls don’t fall quite so literally into my arms.”
A blast of heat warmed her cheeks. “Gabe. I . . . I’m sorry. I didn’t expect anyone to be down here.”
He held up a toolbox with his other hand. “Rylan asked me to fix a clogged sink.”
“I see.” She knelt to gather the fallen linens, and he immediately set the tools aside to help her.
In the dimly lit corridor, with their heads bent together, the space seemed much too intimate. Their hands tangled in the sheets as they rose. Gabe freed one hand and lifted it to cup her chin. She raised her eyes to his. The twinkle had disappeared, replaced with an intensity that caused Aurora’s heart to bang hard against her ribs.
“Aurora, mo ghrá.” His husky voice sent shivers down her spine. “I want to kiss you. I’ve wanted to for a long time.”
She couldn’t seem to move, her gaze focused on the cleft in his chin.
He lowered his face toward her. “If you want me to stop, say so now.”
Fleeting thoughts of her father’s disapproval flashed through her mind, but she pushed them away. For weeks she’d dreamt of this moment. She was not about to let her father ruin it.
“Don’t stop,” she managed to whisper.
When his lips met hers, the force of emotion that coursed through her nearly melted her bones. His arms tightened around her, capturing her close to his chest. The warmth of his lips sent thrills rioting through her body.
At last, she pulled back to catch her breath, unable to squash a wave of regret. “We shouldn’t be doing this. You’re heading back to Ireland in a few weeks, and I’m starting nursing school.”
He caressed her cheek with his thumb, making coherent thought virtually impossible.
“What if I told you I’m reconsidering my departure?” Desire darkened his eyes.
“But you love your homeland. I know from all the stories you’ve told me. And what about your mother? You said you couldn’t leave her.”
“Maybe I’ve found something I love more.”
His lips claimed hers once again, erasing all reasons for her protest. When he drew away at last, her head spun.
His gaze held hers. “I think I fell in love with you before I even knew your name. The moment I spied you across the room at the O’Learys’ party, I was mesmerized by your beauty. Then once I met you, I became captivated by your kindness.” He brushed a kiss to her temple. “Now after seeing you with these children, I know you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”
He lowered his head toward her again, and though she knew she should resist, everything in her yearned for the warmth of his lips on hers. Nothing had ever felt so thrilling, so right.
“Miss Hastings? Are you down there?” Dr. Reardon’s disapproving voice broke the silence.
Aurora jumped back, bumping into the wall behind her. She glanced at Gabe, sending him a silent plea to remain hidden. If Dr. Reardon found them here together . . .
Gabe kissed her hand, which sent goosebumps racing along her arm. “You go. I’ll take care of the laundry. Remember, you’ve done nothing wrong.”
She longed to kiss him again, but instead she whirled around and ran up the stairs, smoothing her hair and apron as she went.
She emerged from the dark stairway onto the main floor, where Dr. Reardon paced the carpet. “I’m here, Doctor. Is anything wrong?” She hoped he took her breathless state as a result of climbing the stairs.
His forehead creased in an unbecoming manner. “Where have you been? I’ve been searching the building for you.” His mustache practically quivered with indignation.
Aurora fought to keep the heat from her cheeks. “I was bringing the linens to the basement. What did you need me for?”
He stalked toward her, then scanned the hallway. Mrs. Taft was seated at her position at the reception desk, and two nuns stood talking nearby. “Perhaps we’d better continue this conversation in private. Please follow me.”
Like a student about to be chastised by the principal, Aurora reluctantly followed him to Rylan’s office. He ushered her in, and she took a seat across from the large desk. He, however, crossed to the window and remained standing.
“I am very disappointed in you, Aurora.”
Aurora’s mouth dropped open, but she quickly closed it. She had done nothing she could think of to merit his disappointment. However, the use of her Christian name made her feel it must be a personal issue.
“For what reason?” Her voice sounded clipped and cool to her own ears.
“Your growing . . . obsession . . . with Mr. Montgomery has interfered with your work.”
She schooled her features to hide her outrage. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
His head whipped toward her. “I doubt the laundry is responsible for your disheveled appearance. The fact that I saw Mr. Montgomery go downstairs mere minutes before you leads me to a very natural conclusion.” He folded his arms and leaned toward her. “Do you deny you were together?”
Aurora gripped her hands together on her lap to keep from throwing something. How dare he besmirch such a beautiful moment in her life? The kisses they’d shared were a sacred expression of their sincere feelings.
She pushed up from her chair and tilted her head in imitation of the ladies in her mother’s social circle. “My relationship with Gabriel is none of your business. If that is all, I must be getting back to work.”
“I’m afraid I’m having second thoughts about recommending you for the nursing program.”
Aurora’s feet stalled. She tensed and shot him a frown. “That is not fair. My personal life has no bearing on my abilities as a nurse.”
“I must disagree. The way you conduct yourself in private has a direct bearing on it.”
She whirled and marched back to the desk, slapping a palm down on the polished surface. “I will not stand here and let you insult my morals. Gabe and I shared a kiss, that is all. I find your jealousy far more suspect.”
His cheeks reddened, but he did not respond.
“I suggest we forget this conversation and continue to serve our patients.” She straightened. Then with a flick of her skirts, she bustled out of the room.
As she headed back to the common room, she congratulated herself for not backing down. For once, she had stood up for herself in the face of male dominance. At the same time, she prayed she hadn’t ruined her chance at achieving her dream, for without Dr. Reardon’s endorsement or, worse yet, with his disparaging remarks concerning her conduct, she might never get into nursing school.