Shalimar

About the Book

“I would suggest that other procedures be done on you besides your lips and eyelids, Miss Stuart,” Doctor Bonebrake said, once they had returned to his consulting room. “Other procedures?” Mary questioned. “Let me suggest a few things that can turn you from – how old are you?” “She’s forty-four,” Sinclair said. He turned sharply toward her, obviously annoyed at her input. He raised his bushy white eyebrows questioningly at Mary. “I’m forty-four,” she said. He seemed shocked. He stared at the ceiling, as if trying to derive inspiration from the chandelier. Again, Sinclair thought, that twist to his mouth, the sadistic light in his piercing blue eyes. He leaned toward Mary. “I think you used to be a very beautiful woman, and I believe I can turn you into a very beautiful woman again, if you’ll put yourself in my hands.” “What would you do?” Mary asked, blushing. “Let me start from the beginning in lay terms. First, I would lift your forehead, remove that extra flesh from your eyelids and under-eyes. Then I would reshape your nose.” “My nose!” “Her nose?” “It’s too aquiline.” “Aquiline?” Mary questioned. “Like an eagle.” “Yes,” Sinclair said, studying Mary’s profile, putting aside her former dislike. “Go on, Doctor, this is fascinating.” “I would give her a face lift and remove all that extra flesh in her neck. Of course, the wig would have to go, but that’s someone else’s department.” “My nose has always been like this,” Mary said defensively. “And yes, I was once a very beautiful woman. My cousin had a similar nose. I believe it runs in the family.” “So why don’t you send your cousin to me? I’ll see what I can do for her.” “I don’t think she would do that.” Mary shook her head solemnly. She wouldn’t come to see me when she lived. So I don’t believe -–“ “When she lived?” “Oh, yes, she died in 1603. But before that, she would never come to see me.” Doctor Bonebrake blinked quickly several times. “Her cousin was not very friendly,” Sinclair said lamely. He sank back in his leather chair as if resigned to Sinclair’s input. Further discussion continued until an agreement was reached by Sinclair and Mary as to when and if Mary would have the surgeries. He proved himself to be an amazingly clever salesman. Consulting his desk calendar, he wrote several dates on a sheet of paper and handed it to Sinclair. She noticed his logo was the American flag. “You can schedule your appointments with my secretary as you leave. She’ll tell you my fees and give you requests for the chemist’s supplies and laboratory work. You’ll pay in advance. I take cashiers checks and credit cards, and cash, of course. I can do Miss Stuart’s forehead and nose work quite soon, but not her face and neck until she loses several stone.” Alone in his office, he began writing in a notebook which locked like a diary. Mary Stuart bears a remarkable resemblance to Mary Queen of Scots. Time travel? “Hmm.” *********

About the Author

Audrey Peyton has written three Harlequin romantic suspense novels, a disaster novel, and a biography of former MGM lion trainer, Floyd Humeston and his famous lion Fagan. Ms. Peyton has recently completed her next novel, Like a Diamond in the Sky. She lives in California.