Licensed to Marry by Charlotte Douglas

Author:Charlotte Douglas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-01-10T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Kyle exerted every ounce of physical self-control not to respond to Tyson’s verbal bullying, while his mind struggled with the scientist’s accusation.

Fraud?

What did Tyson know? Was he going to blow Kyle’s cover before the operation even started? As much as he was torn between wanting to punch the pugnacious old geezer between the eyes or to demand what he meant by charges of fraud, Kyle sat, outwardly calm, knowing that Laura, with her longtime association with Tyson, was best able to defuse the situation.

She flashed Tyson a tight smile. “I’m trying very hard not to take offense at the insult you’ve just flung at my husband, Lawrence, and to attribute your lack of courtesy to the fact that you’re overworked—and stressed out by Daddy’s death. I know he was your best friend.”

The fight seemed to leak out of Tyson like air from a punctured balloon. He slumped back into his chair. “You’re right. Forgive me, Laura. You took me by surprise.”

“It’s okay.” Her voice was gentle, and she placed her hand on his shoulder in a comforting gesture. “I understand.”

Tyson made a visible effort to pull himself together. He pushed to his feet, approached Kyle and extended his hand. “My apologies to you, too, Dr. Foster.”

Kyle grasped the man’s hard, bony hand. “Call me Kyle. No offense taken.”

Tyson returned to his seat, and at the other end of the table, Melinda Kwan, her face as inscrutable as ever, spoke for the first time. “Meaning no disrespect, Laura, but you know how dangerous our work is here. For all our sakes, I’d like to know what Dr. Tyson meant when he called your husband a fraud.”

Tyson had the grace to look embarrassed. “All I meant was that I’ve never heard Dr. Foster’s name mentioned in our line of work. I’ve never seen him published or heard him speak at a conference. He’s an unknown as far as I’m concerned.”

Kwan looked at Laura. “Dr. Tyson has a point.”

Laura turned to Kyle, her face calm but with a hint of panic in her eyes. “Maybe you’d better respond.”

Kyle rose slowly to his feet. “Dr. Tyson’s right, although I wouldn’t call myself a fraud. My degrees and credentials are as valid as anyone’s in this room. I don’t, however, have as much experience as most of you in this field, nor am I as well known. That’s one reason Laura and I felt the bulk of my time will be better spent in administration, to free the rest of you for the work you’re so good at.”

“Sounds reasonable to me.” Dr. Potter nodded with approval. The others’ expressions remained neutral.

“I’ll be meeting with each of you individually,” Kyle said, “both to get to know you better and to learn your views on how the Institute should function. I’m here to help you not compete with you.” He took his seat.

“I won’t keep you from your work any longer,” Laura said, “but before you go, I want to invite you and your families to a party at our house tomorrow night to help us celebrate.

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