The Army Doctor's New Year's Baby Read Free

lips, and she pushed away a stab of envy. How
she wished she could find a loving husband like her friends.
    The bidding
started quickly, rapidly reaching a thousand pounds. At that point, Radley
Knight rose to his feet. The room fell silent as if no one else dared challenge
a colonel, now that he'd made his intentions clear. "Two thousand
pounds," he said in ringing tones as he headed towards the stage.
    "That's
about five hundred quid an hour," someone shouted, raising a laugh from
the crowd.
    "And
worth every penny," Radley quipped as he claimed his wife's hand to lead
her back to their table.
    Blair
turned, his gaze finding Megan. He nodded and the young officer who was
assisting handed her up the stairs.
    "Now I
have the pleasure of presenting my lovely sister, Dr. Megan Mackenzie. What am
I bid to spend the evening with a bonnie Scottish lass?"
    Although
Megan willed herself not to blush, her cheeks heated. It was a curse of her
coloring that she did not blush well. She pasted on a smile and kept her hands
still, resisting the urge to fiddle with her sash.
    Blair
continued. "We army doctors think we know about danger, but if you want to
hear some hairy stories of rescuing casualties from dangerous situations, this
is your girl. Megan works with mountain rescue in the Scottish Highlands."
    "Five
hundred pounds." Major General Knight's baritone boomed deep and clear
through the momentary silence in the ballroom. She'd known good old Uncle
George all her life; he was one of her father's best friends. She could always
count on him to start the bidding on her.
    "Six
hundred," another man said, although she didn't catch who.
    "Seven
hundred," Uncle George countered.
    Silence fell
and Megan's heart beat a rapid tattoo in her chest. This was the truly
nerve-wracking part of the auction, standing up in front of 250 people praying
for bids.
    She'd made a
conscious effort not to look at Daniel, but now her gaze skated over the
upturned faces in search of blonde hair, blue eyes, and a warm smile.
    He sat at
the table with her friends, an empty seat beside him. Her breath caught; for a
moment she struggled to suck in air. The woman Daniel had been talking to was
not with him, she was seated next to his brother, Sean.
    Daniel
leaned back in his chair, a lazy smile on his face as he watched the
proceedings. She tore her gaze away from him and let it drift unseeing over the
mass of people. Her chest ached with longing—if only he would bid on her. When
the clock struck twelve tonight and kisses were exchanged to celebrate the New
Year, she wanted to be sitting beside Daniel Fabian.
    The bidding
continued. Another of her father's friends offered nine hundred pounds for her,
then silence fell. Megan consciously drew in a breath and pushed it out, her
heartbeat marking off the seconds. Any moment now, Blair would declare her
sold.
    Her fingers
flexed on her purse, crushing the soft fabric. Much as she appreciated her
father's friends supporting her, it was humiliating to be passed over by the
younger men. They all probably had their sights set on the pretty young
daughters of the senior officers who were still waiting in line.
    "Three
thousand pounds." The words echoed around the room. Clothes rustled and
chairs scraped as everyone turned to see who had bid such a large amount.
    Daniel rose,
the lights glinting off his blond hair. Giving the impression he enjoyed the
limelight, he stepped behind his brother's chair and ambled between the tables,
obviously in no hurry, a self-assured smile on his face.
    "Sold
to Major Fabian," Blair announced. There was a moment's stunned silence,
then applause broke out and rippled through the crowd.
    Megan
trembled, her legs suddenly unsteady. She gripped Blair's arm for support as he
led her to the top of the steps. "Way to go, Meggie," he said under
his breath. "Highest bid of the night by far."
    Then louder
he said, "Major Fabian has set the bar high, gentlemen. Let's see if we
can top his generous