Honorary Surgeon (27 page)

CHAPTER
SIXTEEN

Lady Alymer
took off her glasses and neatly refolded
The Times
into its original
creases. Then she addressed Mary, who was putting the finishing touches to a crystal bowl containing huge chrysanthemum blossoms.
“
Mary dear, it
’
s nearly half past twelve. I expect that Veronica and Guy will be here at any moment now. I
particular
l
y
asked them to come in good time for a cocktail before
lunch. I know that Mr. Perivale would not consider a meal complete without a drink first!
”

“
Shall I get the coc
k
tails ready, then?
”
Mary queried as she stood back to see the effect of her arranging.

“
Yes, I think that would be a good idea. I expect that you
’
ll find everything you need in the cabinet.
”
Then, following Mary
’
s gaze, she added:
“
You
’
ve made that bowl look perfect .Why, the way you arrange my flowers makes you worth your weight in gold, and yet you
’
re always trying to tell me that there isn
’
t enough for you to do!
”
A smile lightened her features at the words.
“
Let me see, how long is it since you arrived? I know my memory isn
’
t all it should be, but I can scarcely remember the time when you weren
’
t here. Do you realize that as far as this household is concerned you are absolutely a round peg in a round hole?
”

“
I believe you were determined that I should fit into my niche!
”
Mary walked across the room and kissed Lady Alymer lightly on the cheek.
“
You
’
ve been an absolute angel to me, and I shall never, never be able to repay y
o
u.
”
She wrinkled her brow thoughtfully.
“
I suppose I must have been here nearly a month, although, as you say, it
’
s hard to realize that I was ever anywhere else. I
’
ve quite forgotten what real hard work is like. The hospital has faded into the past. Even when Sir Richard is here, I can hardly believe that I ever worked under him.
”
She laughed.
“
In fact, when I first went to hospital I stood in positive awe of him.
”

“
Fancy anyone being in awe of Richard!
”
Lady Alymer laughed softly.
“
Of course, I
’
m his mother, but sometimes I think he is almost too kind to command the respect necessary in a large community. I should think all the nurses love him.
”

“
They do.
”
Mary paused. How strange it was that she could now answer that question so calmly, and entirely without resentment.

“
He never tells me anything
.
I imagined he would be popular.
”
Lady Alymer stood up and joined her companion.
“
Mixing cocktails is a mystery to me. I can
’
t imagine how you do it.
”

Mary laughed.
“
It
’
s not very difficult really. Fortunat
e
ly one doesn
’
t have to be quite so particular regarding quantities as with drugs.
”
She paused, contemplating the
mixture in the jug before her.
“
I do
not
quite know how much to make; I don
’
t believe Veronica takes cocktails, and it doesn
’
t look as though Richard will be here before lunch.
”

“
He won
’
t. He phoned me this morning ... an unexpected operation; he says he
’
ll get down quite early after luncheon.
”
Lady Alymer sighed.
“
I do wish he didn
’
t have to work so hard; I
’
m sure he doe
s
too much.
”

“
But he loves it,
”
Mary protested,
“
and I don
’
t think I
’
ve ever heard him complain.
”
After carefully screwing the lid, she gave the mixture a shake:
“
There, that
’
s ready! I
’
ll add some ice when I come
down. Can I help you with anything before I run up and change?
”

“
No, thanks, dear. I can manage quite, well. You run along and make yourself smart. Why, I do declare the Perivales must be the first youngsters we
’
ve had to the house since you arrived. I
’
m so glad you suggested asking them. I
’
m afraid I
’
ve been very neglectful; you must be getting heartily sick of old people.
”

“
Not one bit. I like all the people I
’
ve met here so much. Naturally I
’
m awfully glad you
’
ve asked Veronica; you see, we were once such friends. I
’
ve seen so little of her of recent years, and she
’
ll be going abroad again very soon.
”

“
Yes, of course. I suppose Mr. Perivale
’
s leave will soon be at an end.
”
She stopped speaking for a moment, then continued in a reminiscent tone:
“
Why, I remember Veronica when she could scarcely toddle. What a lovely baby she was, too. I can
’
t say I like Guy Perivale much, although I admit I hardly know the man.
”
Lady Alymer
’
s eyes searched Mary
’
s face.
“
No, dear, I
’
m still very fond of Veronica, so don
’
t think that I blame her for throwing over my son; I don
’
t, but perhaps I can be forgiven for thinking her action a little foolish.
”
She sighed.
“
B
ut there, perhaps it was for the best, and I
’
m sure no one wishes her happiness more than I do.
”

“
I don
’
t think she is very happy.
”
Mary blurted out the words before she was aware of their significance, but the moment she had spoken she realized her mistake. Veronica
’
s affairs should have been safer in her keeping; she had no right to give away her friend
’
s secrets so readily.

“
I know she isn
’
t.
”

Mary was relieved at the admission. So she hadn
’
t unwittingly revealed a secret.
“
How do you know?
”
she asked with curiosity.

“
I don
’
t think that her behaviour has been that of a proud wife and mother. She called here with her husband a week or two after their arrival at Windyridge. Well, I imagine she felt that was expected of her. I have wondered at her not running in more often, treating this place as a second home, as she always used to. I admit I have been somewhat remiss in not inviting her, but, then, Veronica never waited for invitations.
”
Lady Alymer smiled sadly.
“
I found her, at that first visit, sadly changed. Poor Veronica, marriage seems to have completely sapped her vitality.
”
She shook her head mournfully.
“
I feel so distressed about her, and yet, what can I do? No one can help her; she can only help herself.
”

So Lady Alymer knew as much as she, Mary, knew. But did she? That her marriage with Guy was an unhappy one, as she had said, was pretty obvious to anyone, but that she still loved Richard—that important fact might have escaped her. Mary could not resist pressing the point.
“
You think
...
you think she is still in love with
...”

“
My son
”
Lady Alymer supplied the missing words; she frowned for a moment in reflection before continuing:
“
It was unfortunate that they met again in Singapore—it was pure chance—so soon after Veronica
’
s hasty marriage, too. I expect it possible that, meeting him again, she regret
t
ed the step she had taken. I don
’
t know; one can
only guess, and frankly, it
’
s something I would rather not consider.
”

“
I see.
”
Mary stopped in silent contemplation. The older woman had been careful not to give an opinion, but it seemed obvious to Mary that the possibility of Veronica
’
s faithfulness to her first love had not escaped her. What seemed so strange to Mary was the fact that his mother had never appeared to consider the possibility that Richard, on his part, might still be true to Veronica. That she never imagined that contingency was pretty obvious. She had even hinted that he might fall in love with her, Mary. Mary turned away to hide the flush which rose to her cheeks at the memory. That had been dreadful; she was grateful that Lady Alymer had never again, since that night of her arrival, as much as hinted at such a possibility.

“
Don
’
t you think you
’
d better be getting changed, my dear? It
’
s getting late.
”

Mary glanced at the clock.
“
Good gracious, yes! I won
’
t be long,
”
she called as she hurried from the room.

The maid was already admitting the expected guests as Mary made her way downstairs. She hurried across the hall, and grasped her friend
’
s extended hand. After an affectionate embrace, Veronica stood back and viewed her friend
.

“
Oh, Mary darling, it
’
s lovely to see you again, and how marvellous you look, so much better than when you were at the hospital! There
’
s no doubt that this is the life for you!
”
She turned her friend to the light and scanned her face carefully.
“
You look absurdly young; I thought
w
hen you shingled your hair you
’
d effected a considerable change, but now
...”
She turned to her husband, who had followed her in.
“
Doesn
’
t she look wonderful, Guy?
”

“
She always did!
”
Guy retorted promptly, and at the depth of meaning in his tone Mary felt herself blushing. She had hoped that she wouldn
’
t hear any such nonsense from Guy, but perhaps it was too much to expect
that he should have changed in that respect.

“
If you
’
ll leave your outdoor things here,
”
Mary interrupted quickly,
“
we can go straight to the lounge. Lady Alymer is there, and the drinks,
”
she added with a light laugh.

All three entered the lounge, greetings were exchanged, and the conversation became general until lunch was announced. Mary felt quite at ease, since Guy, the only possible cause of dissension, seemed in a good mood, drank sparingly, and made himself amiable to Lady Alymer, while Veronica and Mary chatted until they repaired to the
dining room
.

“
The telephone, milady ... Sir Richard would like a word with you.
”

The butler
’
s announcement interrupted the luncheon. Lady Alymer turned to Mary.
“
Run and speak to him, dear; tell him I can
’
t leave my guests. I expect he
’
s going to say he can
’
t get down today after all,
”
she added a trifle wistfully.
“
Dear me, that boy is really a trial sometimes.
”

Mary made her apologies, and hurried from the room.

She picked up the telephone from the desk in the library and announced her presence.

“
Hallo, Richard. It
’
s Mary. Your Mother is at luncheon; she asked if you could give me a message?
”

“
Oh, sorry. I thought I
’
d just catch her before she went in to lunch.
”
Richard
’
s voice came clearly to Mary
’
s ears.
“
I wanted to warn her that I
’
ll be rather late. I can
’
t get away as early as I
’
d hoped.
”

“
Rather late.
”
Mary could not prevent a note of relief creeping into her voice.
“
But you will come?
”
she added eagerly.

“
I
’
ll come all right; nothing shall prevent me. By the way, you might ask Veronica to try and wait. I
’
ll certainly be down by tea-time.
”

Mary
’
s hand gripped the receiver more tightly. Of course nothing would prevent him coming. She had, for one brief moment, forgotten Veronica
’
s presence; yes, even for one ecstatic second believed that the undercurrent of meaning in his assertion might have been personal.

“
I
’
ll tell her. I
’
ll see that she waits,
”
Mary assured her listener, while she thanked heaven that he could not see the expression on her face.

“
What
’
s the matter? Don
’
t sound so intense!
”
Richard
’
s tone was bantering.

Mary bit her lip. Surely he hadn
’
t guessed the emotion his simple request had aroused?
“
I don
’
t know what you mean.
”
Mary forced a laugh.
“
I said I
’
d ask Veronica to wait; surely there is nothing intense about that?
”
she countered lightly.