Ring for the Nurse (22 page)

“
You imagined that all was over between you and Miss Jason
?
The query was forced from Felicity, almost against her better judgment.

“
Yes—how did you guess?
”
Without awaiting an answer he went on more quickly and with added confidence
“
It was all too vivid to be a mere figment of the imagination every detail of that night came back with startling clarity—even the words she spoke. Alaine admitted, that although
she was fond of me, her work—success a
n
d excitement
meant more to her—she confessed that she would find my sort of life unbearable and that our engagement was a mistake.
”
As Felicity made to speak he interrupted.
“
Now perhaps you will understand more readily my state of mind since yesterday
...
perhaps more readily excuse my lack of civility.
”

“
It was all true—Alaine
’
s ring was in your overcoat pocket
.”
Felicity was amazed at the ease with which she spoke, indifferent to the anger her confession
mi
gh
t
evoke
;
the relief of knowing that it lay within her power to clear his mind
of any lingering doubt made all else seem unimporta
n
t.
“
Alaine asked me to return it to her, she told me that finding it there might
distress
you. I agreed because I believed that to be true.
”

“
You found it there—you gave it back
—”
He echoed
her words stupidly as if trying to absorb their true significance, then gripping her shoulder, he twisted her round until she faced him, and his eyes stared at her searchingly.

“
It was unpardonable of me to interfere, I, realize now I can only repeat that I believed I was acting for the best.
”
Her voice was steady but beneath her appearance of calm a rising sense of fear assailed her. Although his hand dropped from her shoulder, she could still feel the pain where his fingers had gripped, and she was glad of the trifling discomfort, at least it gave her a feeling
of reality.

“
Now I understand—everything.
”
The note of utter weariness in his voice stabbed at Felicity
’
s heart and the green vista around her was suddenly dimmed by the unshed tears which misted her eyes. With slow movements he dragged himself to his feet, then held out a hand to assist his companion.
“
We
’
d better be getting back.
”

As Felicity stood by his side he made to release her, but with an
impulse
she was quite incapable of resisting, she gripped his hand firmly between both her own, holding desperately as a drowning man might ding to a straw.
“
Please—please tell me—what does this all mean, what have I done?
”

He seemed in
cl
ined for a moment to pull himself free, then perhaps unable to resist the appeal of her whole attitude, he spoke.
“
What you have done—well
—”
He
shrugged his shoulders.
“
That is difficult to sa
y—”

“
But you need not go through with this engagement! Now you know the truth—Alaine wouldn
’
t expect you to
—”
Felicity exclaimed, lifting her eyes anxiously to his
face seeking agreement.

“
A few days ago Alaine and I settled the date of our wedding—a month from today. My w
o
rd
is
pledged to Alaine, she wears my ring—need I say more?
”

There was finality in his tone and bearing which brooked no argument. Felicity
’
s fingers automatically relaxed their grip on his hand and following his lead she walked slowly over to where the horses were tethered. As he held her horse
’
s head for her to mount, some inner urge compelled her to seek further enlightment.
“
You believe it right to go on—you believe that to be the chivalrous thing to do?
”

“
I don
’
t really know,
”
he admitted slowly.
“
It may not seem true to character—that is as you and your fellow nurses have summed me up—but Alaine had asked me to forget that unfortunate interlude then I should most certainly have agreed, so the end result would have been pre
ci
sely the same.
”
He paused and as he continued there was a puzzling significance to his words.
“
Of course everything might have been different if during these past weeks I had known myself to be free—well, then it might have been too late for reconciliations.
”

“
I don
’
t understand your reasoning,
”
Felicity responded in bewilderment.
“
Too late—why too late?
”

When he replied, the lines of his face had become set and grim.
“
Disregard my words—they were meaningless.
”
He dropped the rein he still held and laid his hand over hers where it rested on the saddle.
“
Your air of disbelief has told
me
that perhaps, after all, things are better as they
are
—”
He broke off abruptly, then continued.
“
There is,
however, one thing I
’
d better tell you now, while I
’
m in chastened mood.
”
His expression softened and his fingers tightened over hers.
“
I want to thank you for all you
’ve
done for me during the past weeks, I realize how awkward and ungrateful I have appeared at times but I haven
’
t meant it, you
’
ve been patient—and more helpful than I can say, I owe you more than ordinary w
o
rds can express.
”
His formal thanks warmed Felicity
’
s heart, but it was the contact of his hand on hers which sent a quiver of excitement through every nerve of her body. Once again silence dropped as a barrier between them, the birds seemed to have stayed their song and the breeze no longer stirred the grass or trees. Once again Felicity experienced that sensation of aloneness, just she and Guy isolated on the very edge of the world.

“
May I?—just a token of—gratitude.
”

Before Felicity had grasped the meaning of his request, Guy
’
s lips had brushed her forehead with a soft kiss, it might have been the brush of a butterfly
’
s wing or the wind lifting a wisp of her hair but with that fleeting touch he awoke within her some
ch
ord she had long believed mute.
“
We
’
d better be getting back.
”

His prosaic words brought Felicity back to earth, she felt too choked to speak but turned obediently to mount. The return ride was silent, the hoof beats were hard as if the very turf had lost its buoyant spring, the sky had clouded over and a drop of rain splashed against Felicity
’
s cheek—was it rain, or was it a tear
?
That was something she hardly knew.

CHAPTER
FOURTEEN

To
Felicity, who
was longing for the solitude of her own room, lunch that day seemed an endless ritual. Colonel Brenton, adhering to the habit of years, believed a meal to be both a leisurely repast and a social occasion; he was certainly a past master in the matter of conversation and the excellently cooked courses which were placed before them fully deserved both time and appreciation.

It was perhaps unfortunate that just as Felicity had finished her coffee and was about to make her excuses the Colonel should have made the intriguing discovery that not only had he known her father, Sir Frampton Dene, but had in fact spent many a holiday with him indulging their mutual love of fishing. Soon after their marriages they had lost touch with one another, but Colonel Brenton, delighted with his discovery, plied Felicity with questions regarding her home in Somerset and the years spent there prior to her father
’
s death.

“
If I remember rightly, Frampton had two children—a boy, wasn
’
t there?
”

“
Yes,
”
Felicity agreed.
“
My brother Antony, he left England after Daddy died, he went out to America—neither of us got on with our stepfather, that
’
s why I left home too.
”

“
I
s
ee—well, well.
”
The old man chuckled with obvious delight.
“
I was glad to meet you before, my dear, I am even happier to welcome you now—Frampton
’
s daughter, I can hardly believe it!
”

Alaine, who had been listening to the conversation with ill-concealed surprise could no longer restrain her curiosity.
“
You aren
’
t a real nurse at all then—I mean—well, how can you be?
”

“
Of course I
’
m a nurse!
”
Felicity laughed.
“
I ought to be, the way I worked for it, I
’
ve enjoyed it too, and I wouldn
’
t change my job with anyone.
”

“
But you don
’
t need to work like that—I mean with a titled father and all that—well, it seems silly to me.
”
Alaine was obviously incredulous.

In spite of the anxiety which had nagged at her all through lunch Felicity could not fail to be amused at Alaine
’
s patent air of disbelief.
“
But don
’
t you see I wanted independence, my small allowance wouldn
’
t keep me, so when I decided to leave home, I had to earn my own living. Having a title doesn
’
t mean anything, my brother inherited that—it
’
s all he did inherit, so he has had to fight his own way too.
”
She turned to the Colonel.
“
Tony has a fruit farm in California, it was an uphill job but he has made a very good thing of it; he is due back in England any time now,
the arrangement is that I should return and share his home.
”

Thoroughly interested, Colonel Brenton continued to ply her with questions and it was well into the afternoon before she could, without appearing ungracious, make her escape. With a sigh of relief, Felicity closed the bedroom door behind her; only now she realized what a strain it had been trying to appear light-hearted and carefree when all she had longed for were a few moments of solitude in which to sort out her chaotic thoughts.

She removed her riding-kit and donning her blue velvet coat, sank gratefully into the arm-chair. Deliberately she tried to remember every word which had passed between her and Guy that morning, tried to visualize again each changing expression and mood. That fleeting kiss, a kiss of gratitude as he had said, had made her happy beyond belief. She was thankful that at least he harboured no resentment for her action in returning Alaine her ring, but her mind was still filled with lingering doubts. If she had acted differently, would the outcome have been the same? Of course, everyone knew that lovers
’
quarrels were quickly mended ... was she perhaps making a mountain out of a molehill? If only she could probe his innermost thoughts ... if only ... as her thoughts revolved, she fell into an uneasy doze and in her dreams relived that sweet moment of intimacy, only to wake with a start at the patter of rain on the roof. In her restless mood she crossed to the window and drew aside the net curtain. The weather had broken
and a heavy shower of rain blotted out the distant view, while low grey clouds shrouded the hilltops, a dreary vista reflecting her own uncertainties. Discarding her house-coat, she began to dress, there were to be guests to dinner and with reckless abandon she donned a rose-pink chiffon frock with a finely pleated skirt which swinging round her ankles as she mov
ed
served to emphasize the slender line of her hips. She knew now that Guy had the power to influence her with his every changing mood; the idea intimidated her and rallying her reserves, she made a determined effort to bury that knowledge. With careful fingers she added a touch of rouge to her cheeks and gave more than usual attention to the soft golden waves of her hair. She was just adding the finishing touches to her toilet when, following a brief
knock on
her door, Alaine entered.

She made no apology for her intrusion, but closing the door behind her, began abruptly.
“
So he knows—did you tell him?
”

It didn
’
t require much acumen on Felicity
’
s part to guess to what Alaine referred. When she had escaped to her room Guy and Alaine had taken their chairs on to the terrace, and Felicity could well hazard what had transpired.
“
Yes, if you are referring to your engagement, I told Mr. Brenton
—
he had remembered a certain amount, it left him so much
at sea that I felt obliged to tell him the truth.
”

“
I thought something like that must have happened—I sensed he was remembering things yesterday in the car.
”
With her habitual restlessness Alaine paced the room, idly moving an ornament or fingering the surface of the furniture as she passed. Coming to a deliberate standstill beside Felicity, she went on speaking.
“
He took it very well—I m
ea
n
he was awfully decent about it—we are getting married next month.
”

“
Yes, I know.
”
Felicity replaced her brush and comb on the table, then twisted round on her chair to face her companion.
“
I
’
m very glad everything is all right—for you both.
”
She spoke slowly, carefully choosing her words.
“
There is just one thing—I wonder would you mind if I spoke frankly?
”
There was a questioning look in her eyes as she sought Alaine
’
s.

“
Of course I wouldn
’
t.
”
The answer was spontaneous and was rendered even more convincing when Alaine drew up an arm-chair.
“
I wish you honestly would tell me what you think—I mean about me and Guy—I
’
ve never had a girl friend, I think I
’
ll enjoy discussing things with you.
”
Felicity repressed the smile whi
ch
Alai
n
e
’
s words evoked, she couldn
’
t help wondering if the Colonel
’
s disclosure of her background and the knowledge of a family title hadn
’
t done something to foster this sudden anxiety for friendship.

“
You see, Miss Jason, I can
’
t help
—”

“
Oh, for goodness sake drop
the
‘
Miss
’
!
”
Alaine begged as she crossed one nylon-dad leg over the other and leaned back in her chair the more comfortably to listen.

“
Thanks.
”
Felicity smiled, then went on.
“
You do realize, don
’
t you, that Mr. Brenton remembers everything that occurred on the night of the accident. I think he can have little doubt now t
hat
your work has always been the most important thing in your life. Knowing that—well, it must make things difficult for him.
”
Felicity spoke cautiously, fearful of saying too much, yet anxious to make her companion see beyond the mere promise of security.
“
You
’
ll hold tight this time, won
’
t you? I mean your
fiancé
must come first, before your work, your friends and everything.
”
Her tone was more intense than she realized, somehow she felt there was so much sincerity in Alaine, she had beauty and charm, indeed everything to hold Guy Brenton
’
s love, if only she would exert herself, surely that would bring her more joy and happiness than the transitory adulation of a star.

“
I told you—I told Guy too, I
’
ll give up my work when I marry, that means that I
’
ll give up my friends too.
”
The slight droop of the scarlet lips only added to Alaine attraction and in a moment she had broken into a light, musical laugh.
“
You are so serious, you frighten me. I won
’
t be silly again, I promise you. I
’
ve always told Guy the truth, he even knows I was
f
ooling when I first set out to catch him. It was a joke, but, in the end the laugh was on me. I must admit I was absolutely shattered when he proposed. Of course I accepted, what girl wouldn
’
t? There has always been one fly in the ointment.
”
She sighed.
“
I wanted him but I wanted to go on working too, to reach the very, very top—it
’
s too hard, I
’
ve tried every way, you need influence I suppose, anyway it seems hopeless, so I
’
d be a fool to sacrifice this chance of a good marriage. Guy
’
s a darling, perhap
s
I do
love him, it
’
s so difficult to know. He is a bit staid but in time maybe I
’
ll change him, he has always worked far too hard, I
’
ll teach him what fun it is to relax sometimes,
”
she ended with a laugh.

“
I think you could do that.
”
Felicity rose from the dressing-table and smoothed out the pleats of her dress, then, with an impulsive gesture laid her hand for a moment on Alaine
’
s shoulder.
“
I hope you
’
ll be very happy—I
’
m sure you could make a success of anything, you are that sort of person.
”

“
That
’
s nice of you!
”
Alaine was obviously delighted with the compliment and her expression became more animated.
“
It
’
s lovely having another girl to talk to, I
’
ve never made friends with girls, I suppose one doesn
’
t in my profession, there is too much jealousy. You
’
ll help me choose my wedding dress, won
’
t you? I ought to order it next week, I thought I
’
d have a period frock, I think it would suit me—you remember the one I wore in the ballroom
‘
shot
’
when I played
‘
Marguerite Dechamp
’
, it suited me, didn
’
t it?
”
Since Felicity hadn
’
t the slightest recollection of the film or the dress she could only nod in agreement, yet she felt it was true, Alaine Jason would look well in anything, her exotic beauty needed little adornment.

“
I thought of going to Rodins—do you know them?
”
Again Felicity nodded, this time because she couldn
’
t trust herself to speak, the name of the famous dressmaking house had brought back such poignant memories—her own wedding dress, so carefully chosen, so meticulously fitted—the pearl embroidery in a design of lilac. Felicity caught her breath at the memory, then quickly turned away that Alaine might not see the pain her words had evoked—pain, for what? Felicity clenched her hands as they hung at her sides. Perhaps she was deluding herself, that inward stab had not been of pain but of jealousy! She bit her lips at the thought, it was humiliating and contemptible, and determined not to pander to anything so unworthy, she turned impulsively back to Alaine.
“
It
’
s a splendid salon and I
’
d love to help you choose your dress—you
’
ll have to wait until I have a free afternoon, don
’
t forget I
’
m a working woman,
”
she ended with a laugh.