Honorary Surgeon (24 page)

“
Now, miss, let me give you a hand with your unpacking. Your trunk—the one you sent in advance—came yesterday. I
’
ve put it behind the armchair in that corner. If you
’
ll let me have your keys, I
’
ll start on that.
”

“
I really can manage myself,
”
Mary protested, but, as Evans persisted in her request, handed over the keys.

While the maid tackled the trunk, Mary occupied herself unpacking her suitcase. Her head, bent well over her case, hid the smile which played round her lips. It really was rather funny being waited on like this; she had come to take a job and was being treated like a guest! Why, it reminded her of the house-parties she-had visited with her father, and certainly was quite unlike her arrival at St. Jude
’
s; no maid had unpacked for her when, homesick and miserable, she had first arrived there!

“
Really, Evans, it
’
s a shame to keep you here with me; I can do that myself quite well. You know, I
’
ve been a nurse for three years; I
’
m not a bit used to being waited on.
”
Mary could not resist the protest when Evans, having dealt with the trunk, proceeded to lay out a frock for dinner.
”

“
I thought perhaps you
’
d wear this black this evening, miss; there won
’
t be anyone extra for dinner.
”
Evans stated; then, as if in an afterthought, added:
“
Funny to think you
’
ve been a nurse. When Lady Alymer told us you was coming, we all thought—that
’
s to say, down in the kitchen, miss—that you
’
d be very old a
n
d frumpish. Nurses seem to get that way,
if you know what I mean, miss.
”
She picked up the coat Mary had been
’
wearing and, after br
u
shing it, hung it in the cupboard.

“
I expect I should have done so, too, in, time; but you see, I haven
’
t been nursing long enough!
”
Mary laughed, then added:
“
I might have grown old and f
r
umpish in hospital, but I see I am going to be thoroughly spoilt here!
”

“
I expect you can do with a bit of spoiling. Nursing is very hard work, so I
’
ve always heard.
”
The maid placed a pair of black satin shoes by the bed, then, with a final glance round, concluded:
“
That seems everything, miss. The bathroom is just next door; her ladyship has her own, so you can use this one whenever you want. You
’
ll find the water nice and hot any time; cook sees to that.
”

“
Thank you, Evans; you
’
ve been awfully helpful.
”
Mary watched the door close behind the maid, then, unfastening her dress, pulled it off and slipped into her dressing
-
gown. Taking off her shoes, she sank gratefully into the depths of the large brocaded armchair beside the fire.

Closing her eyes, she gave herself up to her thoughts. This was wonderful, a setting of luxury she had long ago decided could never be hers again. Yet how would it end? How long would she be able to live in this false sense of security? Luckily, Richard was not often at Frensham Manor, otherwise how could she bear such a proximity? She closed her eyes more tightly, as if in doing so she could shut away the disquieting thoughts which intruded.

For an hour or more Mary remained in that semi-conscious state between sleep and wakefulness, yet, when the silvery chimes of the hall clock warned her of the hour and she rose to dress, she felt no more rested. She flung off her dressing-gown with a gesture of impatience. This was ridiculous. If she was going to spend all her spare time worrying like this, she wouldn
’
t make a very cheerful companion to anyone. With a determined effort she began to hum softly below her breath. After all, she should be so carefree: Joan was married, and thus Noel, who had been so good to her, was happily settled; she herself had a wonderful post; and Richard
...
well, why worry about Richard, when a few months before he had been merely one of the many honoraries at St. Jude
’
s, and a man she had disliked intensely. Making up her mind to thrust back the troubles and doubts that had oppressed her, Mary finished her dressing and, leaving the room, made her way down the wide oak staircase.

Lady Alymer, her silvery hair matched by the silvery grey of her chiffon frock, greeted Mary with obvious pleasure.
“
How nice you look. It
’
s the first time I
’
ve seen your hair properly; It is pretty!
”
Swiftly changing the subject, she continued:
“
I
’
m no hand with cocktails; that is Richard
’
s job, as he isn
’
t here, you must serve yourself. In the cabinet over there.
”
She indicated a tall lacquer cabinet.
“
Give me a sherry, and help yourself to whatever you fancy.
”
While Mary rose to do her bidding, she continued speaking:
“
Now tomorrow night, when you have really adopted your position as my nurse and guardian, you may tell me that sherry isn
’
t one bit good for me; but tonight I intend to have my usual glass.
”

Mary laughed.
“
Aren
’
t you supposed to have it?
”
She crossed to the cabinet, and letting down the drop front, displayed an array of bottles and a row of glasses.

“
My d
o
ctor always tells me not. He calls once a week, but I can never quite make out whether he calls because he is really concerned about my health, or because he enjoys my particular brand of sherry. I always feel a little annoyed when he tells me not to drink it; I can
’
t help feeling that it
’
s rather like a case of
‘
all the more for me.
’
”
Lady Alymer laughed.
“
My poor doctor! He is very nearly as old as I am, and we spend the greater part of his weekly visit in talking over old times.
”

Mary poured out two glasses and brought them across to the table beside the fire. Placing one glass within her companion
’
s reach, she took one herself.

“
Now help yourself to a cigarette, my dear. I don
’
t smoke myself, but I like to watch other people. I always think this is the nicest hour of the day,
”
she continued.
“
Just that restful hour before dining.
”
She picked up her glass and sipped its contents.
“
Richard was quite disappointed that he couldn
’
t get down tonight. I assured him that we should be quite happy on our own, but I think he thought that his presence might help to break the ice for you.
”
She laughed.
“
Men always think they
’
re indispensable. He was quite hurt when I assured him that you would probably much prefer to spend your first few evenings in getting to know me. He will be down for the week-end; I couldn
’
t put him off that. Not that I wanted to; I see little enough of my boy these days.
”
Her pale blue eyes clouded.
“
Richard has been down here very little lately. Of course, I realize that his work is exacting, and it
’
s a long journey after a tiring day. He used to spend his holidays here, but this year he went abroad. I missed that long unbroken period of his company very much.
”

“
He wasn
’
t here, then? I didn
’
t know,
”
Mary ventured.
“
No doubt a holiday abroad is more of a complete change.
”

“
He was always quite satisfied to come here; he loves the old place. The year before last he had the swimming
-
pool built; that, and the golf course which was recently opened a few miles away, were added attractions.
”
The old lady looked more keenly at Mary, as if she would find an answer there.
“
No, I can
’
t altogether understand his recent restlessness.
”

Mary felt herself flushing beneath her companion
’
s scrutiny.
“
I
’
m afraid I don
’
t know him enough to notice anything like that.
”

“
You
’
ll get to know him better now you
’
re here. Richard always says one can spend years at hospital among the same people and still not know them. You like my son, don
’
t you?
”

Mary was so taken aback by the question that for a moment she stared at her companion as if she had not heard aright.
“
Like him? Oh, yes, of course I do.
”
She was angry with herself for her obvious hesitation. Lady Alymer
’
s question had been a natural one, while she, by her foolish hesitation, had given it an unnatural importance.

“
I don
’
t think anyone could help liking Richard,
”
Lady Alymer murmured dreamily, then continued with a smile:
“
And that
’
s not just a mother
’
s pride, you know. Richard has always been a favourite with everyone, although he never seems in the least interested in girls. I can
’
t understand it; I
’
d love to see him happily married before I die,
”
she ended a trifle wistfully.

Mary merely nodded her understanding, while she lowered her face over her half-finished glass. Poor darling
...
then she wasn
’
t aware of Richard
’
s faithful love for Veronica, although she was no longer free. Veronica married probably excluded any idea from his mother
’
s mind that everything between Veronica and her son was not at an end.

“
Mary, I
’
m glad you like Richard.
”
Lady Alymer leaned towards the younger girl.
“
I think Richard is very fond of you.
”

There was no mistaking the older woman
’
s meaning, and a feeling akin to panic filled Mary
’
s heart. Surely Richard
’
s strangeness and, on top of that, his concern on her account wasn
’
t being attributed to any other motive than that of ordinary friendly interest, and a wish to put right the harm he had done her? Mary looked up quickly, and her eyes, flashing in their intensity, stared into those of her companion.
“
Lady Alymer
...
really I think you are quite wrong
...
Richard has been very good to me, very kind, but I assure you
...”
There was a tremor in her voice as she continued.
“
I assure you that your son has never, never thought of me in any other way than as a friend.
”

Lady Alymer reached for her stick and rose unsteadily to her feet.
“
I
’
m sorry, my dear; don
’
t misunderstand me, and please don
’
t look so perturbed.
”
She placed her free hand on the young girl
’
s arm.
“
I want you to know th
a
t if what you say is true, I am sorry. I was disappointed in my elder boy ... he left home years ago ... his love-affair was broken, he
’
ll never marry now. There is nothing I should have liked more than to have had you as a daughter-in-law.
”