A Pair of Brown Eyes: Chapter 23

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*WARNING: This chapter is best understood along with Chapter 22. You'll see why once you start reading ;-).
*SPOILER ALERT: There's a summary of all previous chapters at the end of the post.

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Andrew was having a hard time concentrating on those papers. Not that he minded in the least to have Claire's gorgeous eyes fixed upon him, but they were unbearably distracting. Besides, she kept staring at him in a way that wasn't at all like her. For a fleeting moment, her mind seemed so approachable, so close to him, as if she was about to tell him something important.

He thought he heard her sigh, and the next time he stole a glance at her, she was again bearing that familiar expression of hers, her sight lost in some remote place. He had yet to decide whether this sudden change reassured or annoyed him.

No. He decided he couldn't be annoyed at Claire. Not at someone who looked so lost. But it was frustrating that she wouldn't trust him. Ironically, he was about to give her some reasons not to, since he could no longer abide by the promise he had made her several weeks before, and was tempted to break it. Why on earth did he have to tell her he would be patient, in the first place? He was not; it would no longer do. His feelings for her had grown too strong to keep in check.

He would tell her, and hope for the best. No matter how, he would find the appropriate words to say not to scare her. He had almost given up hope, and had come to terms with the fact that she should never love him as much as he loved her, but at least he could find a way to convince her he was no usurper. Her affection for her late husband was safe with him.

A familiar face entering the clinic at that very moment interrupted his train of thought.

"Hello, you two!" Ethel exclaimed, with her usual unrestrained cheerfulness. "I've come to bring you some cookies to thank you for taking the girls out the other day." She turned her head towards Claire. "I baked them myself, can you believe that?" The laugh coming from Claire's lips confirmed him that, apparently, his sister's culinary skills were appreciated in more than one country.

"I hadn't realised winter was so fast approaching until I left home this morning." She said, smiling at Claire, who smiled back at her. "Am I interrupting something?"

Andrew walked towards her, trying hard not to give himself away. He stole a glance at Claire before answering. "Don't be silly, Ethel. What could you possibly be interrupting?" The hell she was! But he wouldn't give his sister the satisfaction of knowing she was in the right. He was still thinking of Claire's soft eyes, and of her sweet lips, and of the fact that he would probably have her in his arms at this very moment if Ethel hadn't come at all.

But Ethel's eyes, which darted back and forth between Claire and himself, told him she was not one to be fooled. Either he was a terrible liar or his sister was indecorously clever. Be it as it may, he was prepared for the banter that would ensue. Andrew noticed, however, something peculiar in her behaviour; just as she opened her mouth, she shot one last look Claire, and closed it again before uttering a single word. This was the second time in a short while he had seen her acting that way. Was she keeping secrets from him? Ethel of all people? His talkative, meddlesome, expansive sister? It was decidedly odd.

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The whole of October had already come and gone, and Andrew had still not said a single word to Claire. But he was deteremined to tell her that very evening, the minute she crossed the door to bid him goodnight. He would ask her, and she would listen to what he had to say. He didn't have long to wait.

Andrew took a deep breath when he heard the door crack open and a determined-looking Claire rush into the room. "There's something I need to tell you," she said, without giving him a chance to react.

He wouldn't let her distract him, however. Whatever it was she wanted to speak with him about, it could wait. "No, no, please. There's something I want to tell you first."

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	Prologue, in which we meet Claire Parker and Dr. Andrew Stuart, just after the two of them have been engaged in a particularly sensitive argument.
Chapter 01, in which we learn of Claire's arrival at Canada six months prior. She's seeking a new life away from her native England. What's the meaning of the cryptical things she keeps telling herself?
	Chapter 02, in which Claire rekindles an old friendship with her boarding school fellowmate Ethel Roberts (née Stuart). What is she hiding from her friend? And why would she not talk about her late husband?
Chapter 03, in which Claire and Andrew (Ethel's brother) meet for the first time. When he had agreed to give her a chance as his nurse, he would never have suspected he would immediately be drawn by her brown eyes and her will to overcome her fears.
	Chapter 04, in which Claire and Ethel take a stroll down memory lane, recalling their pleasant days spent at school. We learn of Claire's friendly character and of her fondness for music.
Chapter 05, in which Claire starts having nightmares revolving around her suicide attempt when she was seventeen. But, are they just dreams? On a more positive note, she's shocked when Andrew stands up for her against a badly-behaved patient.
	Chapter 06, in which Andrew discovers two things about Claire: that she behaves strangely self-conscious in her dealings with men, and that she has a talent for music.
Chapter 07, in which we learn that Claire can bear no children, due to a miscarriage gone wrong when she was seventeen. She's once again shocked by Andrew's kindness over a failed cup of tea.
	Chapter 08, in which we get to know Andrew's past as Ethel's legal guardian ever since their father passed away. Besides, his sister discovers his fondness for Claire.
Chapter 09, in which we learn of Claire's rape by a man named Geoffrey Richardson when she was fifteen. This recollection is made even more traumatic for her by comparison with Ethel's happy marriage.
	Chapter 10, in which we meet Andrew's old fiancée, Olivia Norton, who's presented as a superficial and shallow girl who wouldn't consent to marry a doctor. Claire surprises them when they are about to kiss, and this forces him to acknowledge his true feelings.
Chapter 11, in which, after some hesitation and sleepless nights, Andrew can no longer deny his feelings for Claire and kisses her. Claire, on her part, can't cope with her being jealous. The only jealousy she's known so far is that of the man who would beat her for any reason.
	Chapter 12, in which the aftermath of their kiss is revealed. Both are shocked by the other's reaction, but for very different reasons: Andrew, of her apparent lack of experience; Claire, of his gentleness and adoration.
Chapter 13, in which Claire and Andrew spend a pleasant date going to a piano recital. She's introduced to the gifted interpreter, Mr, Williams, who shows an interest in her music.
	Chapter 14, in which Claire accepts Ethel's offer of taking part in the local celebrations by playing some tunes. She also becomes acquainted with a not-so-nice side of Andrew.
Chapter 15, in which Andrew and Claire kiss again. But their blissful moment is interrupted by an unfortunate choice of words on his part. He starts getting tired of her unexpected reactions every time he tries to approach her.
	Chapter 16, in which Claire hints to Ethel, while horse riding, that her... marriage? might not have been a happy one. Andrew, on his part, has gone fishing and is still brooding—that is, until someone points out Claire's lack of wedding ring.
Chapter 17, in which Claire doesn't want Ethel to intimate to her brother what she told her. She also remembers why she hates the last eleven Septembers of her life: a few days after having been raped (Chapter 09), her father had something to tell her...
	Chapter 18, in which Andrew and Claire share a magical kiss, while surrounded by paper lanterns, once the celebrations for the festival are over.
Chapter 19, in which Claire's ecstatic feelings are disrupted by reality. All her scars – both psychological and physical – resurface as she undresses.
	Chapter 20, in which Claire, Andrew and his nieces enjoy an outing. Claire's feelings for Andrew are as conflicting as ever, and an inappropriate question by one of the children makes matters even worse.
Chapter 21, in which Andrew starts contemplating marriage, but Claire's behaviour never ceases to amaze him; this time, by her shocking mistrust of police forces. Claire's take on the matter tell a different story.
	Chapter 22, in which Claire is gathering enough courage to tell Andrew her truth. But, will she tell him the whole truth, or half of it? Or will she choose not to tell him anything in the end? It happens simultaneously to Chapter 23.

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Author's note: I know, I know... I know I'm a teaser. You'll have to wait until September for this mystery to be solved. And I think I'll leave you wondering why I have decided to include a summary of all previous chapters EXACTLY at this point in the story ;-).