Page 53 of The Sound of Seduction (Miracles on Harley Street #4)

Her voice quivered, but as the words escaped her, it felt like a mighty dam breaking within her chest. A rush of warmth surged through her, unstoppable and fierce, flooding every corner of her being with a torrent of life and hope she hadn’t dared to let bloom again.

“Oh, Nick!” Pippa hugged his arm, tugging at him with playful affection. Nick adjusted his stance, a faint, warm smile softening his features as he looked at Wendy.

“I wouldn’t decline you anything that makes you happy, Wendy. And it’s your decision—you’re smarter than me, little sister,” he said with quiet sincerity, his voice steady but warm.

Wendy felt her heart quicken, anticipation rising like the hush before an overture’s first note. “So, what condition did you put?” she asked, her breath catching in her throat.

Nick hesitated for just a moment before admitting, “That he doesn’t steal you away from my life.

From our lives. Not just Pippa and me, but also Alfie, Andre, and Felix.

” For an instant, his voice broke—the familiar crack tugged at her memory, just as it did when he was almost still a boy, trying not to cry when they put flowers on their parents’ grave before they left their childhood home so Nick could study medicine.

That raw, boyish vulnerability unraveled something deep within her. “We’d miss you,” he added softly.

And Wendy knew he couldn’t bear to lose her as much as she couldn’t bear to lose him.

She loved Stan though and wanted him in her life now.

Forever. The thought struck her like sunlight piercing through a stormy sky, warming her from within.

Tears blurred her vision as her chest tightened.

Warmth coursed through her entire being, a rush of gratitude and love so intense it left her trembling.

His unspoken longing, and the strength it took to voice it, struck her—and in that moment, she knew: she belonged.

She wasn’t just part of their lives; she was essential.

The weight of that connection wrapped around her heart, unshakable and grounding her in the glow of the family she cherished as much as they cherished her.

“I have to go to him!” Wendy said, rushing to the door. “Let’s go to the ball! Please!”

When she reached the door, he didn’t release her hand immediately, clasping it gently as he continued to assess her. “Before we leave,” he said, his voice softening, “Pippa has something for you.”

Wendy glanced curiously at Pippa. The other woman’s elation was poorly disguised, her bright eyes betraying that whatever this “something” was, it brought her great joy to deliver it.

“Come,” Pippa said, motioning toward the small office tucked behind the main hall.

Nick gently guided Wendy toward it, the steadying comfort of his presence lingering even as he released her hand at the door.

Pippa moved toward the small writing desk by the window in the drawing room, where a neat stack of papers sat waiting.

Turning back to Wendy, she extended them with careful purpose.

“What’s this?” Wendy asked hesitantly, her fingers brushing the parchment as she took it.

Pippa folded her hands in front of her, her demeanor both serious and brimming with affection. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about for quite some time,” she began. “Nick and I have discussed it, and we both agree there’s no one better suited to the task. And it kills two birds with one stone.”

“But you love animals so much, you’d never hit them with stone. Not even in the proverbial meaning.” Wendy laughed.

“True,” Pippa beamed. “So, it’s a task I’d like to give you.”

“Task?” Wendy echoed, glancing at Nick for another hint, but he only offered her a small, reassuring smile.

Pippa stepped closer, her voice gentler now.

“We’ve struggled to find someone who could be the beating heart of Cloverdale House.

Nick and the other doctors can’t commit the way the position demands, not when they have the practice and all the other patients who rely on them.

But you…” Pippa’s face glowed with sincerity.

“You’ve already been that heart of the practice and do it with a flair that invites even more.

We want you to lead Cloverdale House. Run it for us. ”

The words burrowed into Wendy’s chest, lodging there with surprising weight. She looked down at the papers in her hands but didn’t truly see them.

Deed of Appointment

Gwendolyn Folsham, Director of the Rehabilitation Center

Cloverdale House, Abbotsberry Road, London

Whereas: The Cloverdale House Rehabilitation Center, located at Abbotsberry Road, London, is established to provide necessary care, convalescence, and assistance for individuals seeking restoration of health and well-being, and is in need of an individual to oversee its governance, operations, and welfare.

Now Know Ye That I, Lady Philippa Folsham, acting as Trustee and Patroness of Cloverdale House, do hereby appoint Miss Gwendolyn Folsham to the position of Director of the Rehabilitation Center.

Hereafter Stated:

Position and Responsibilities

Miss Gwendolyn Folsham shall, in her capacity as Director, have the full authority to oversee…

Wendy’s eyes skimmed to the bottom of the page, and she saw that Pippa had signed her name.

“You mean… you want me as the director?” Her voice trembled slightly, the enormity of the proposition tightening her throat. “But I’m a woman! I’m just a nurse!”

Nick stepped forward, his broad form grounding her.

“Yes, and you are the best,” he said softly.

“But this position suits you better. It’s what you’ve been doing already in so many ways— organizing, caring for patients, handling what we can’t.

Wendy,” he added, his voice full of warmth, “you are the force that drives our practice. I’ve watched you grow every step of the way, from a headstrong girl to the woman standing before me now.

There’s no one better suited. Alfie, Andre, and Felix agree too. ”

Pippa handed her another paper. “Here is their affidavit of support.”

But Wendy couldn’t read it; tears were forming, blurring her vision.

Wendy’s hand shook slightly as she gripped the papers, the line between disbelief and elation blurring within her. “But—” Her words faltered, her throat tightening further. “But this would mean I’d need to live there. Full-time. Wouldn’t it?”

Pippa, now smiling, gently took Wendy’s hand in her own. “You don’t have to leave us if you don’t want to. Stay as long as you like, and if you wish to spend a night there, you’ll have your own chambers. I’ve also arranged for an office to retreat to when life becomes—”

“Busy,” Nick interjected, his grin evident beneath his composed exterior. “When life becomes busy,” he corrected with a wink that made Pippa smile.

Wendy looked between them, her heart caught in her throat.

The love and faith in their eyes—the belief that she could take on this role, that she was already capable—made her chest ache with overwhelming emotion.

She’d never expected this, never imagined they would see her as more than the little girl thrust into their lives, the third wheel.

“I don’t know what to say,” she murmured, tears unwelcome but forming, nonetheless.

“It’s a business proposal, of course,” Nick said.

Ah, a proposal. Wendy sighed.

“A counter-offer to the life of Stan’s wife?” she mumbled.

Nick swallowed and paused before he spoke. “I realize that I reacted rashly when Stan first offered for your hand.”

He offered for me twice. Wendy’s heart swelled with pride and something deeper that filled her chest and energized her body.

“If you need time to think,” Pippa said softly, “take all the time you need. But Wendy, I’ll ask you as a personal favor… consider it.” Her eyes crinkled with mischief as she added, “Not that I’ll accept no for an answer.”

Wendy laughed quietly, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She met Nick’s warm, steady gaze and found herself nodding before she could stop. “I’ll think about it.”

“Take your time,” Nick replied, pride unmistakable in his voice. “But know this—whatever you choose, you will always have your place with us.”

Wendy launched herself at Nick, her arms encircling him so tightly that it knocked the breath from his chest, her cheek pressed against the crisp fabric of his coat.

Without letting go, she reached for Pippa, pulling her into the warmth of the embrace, their shared laughter muffled as it spilled into the folds of his coat.

“You’re just not little anymore, little sis.” Wendy squeezed Nick tighter when he said those words.

And with that, the weight of the papers in her heart wasn’t quite so heavy anymore.