Nurse Trudie is Engaged (10 page)

They left The Cedars shortly before noon. Dr. Hislop had telephoned home and warned Mrs. Emma that he would be very late for luncheon; Geoff and Malcolm both had theirs out, so there was little point in waiting any longer. Sitting in Philip
’
s Bentley, beside him this time, Trudie could not repress a thrill
.
This engagement might be the pretense she knew it to be, but it had certain distinct advantages. To begin with, she scarcely felt any ache at all in her damaged leg, the result of the ministrations of Mr. Gustav earlier in the day, in addition to her father
’
s and Philip
’
s treatment of the previous evening.

Now, instead of sitting around the house, or doing any of the thousand and one little things that normally occupied her days when she was at home off duty, she was sitting in luxurious comfort in a beautiful car, driving through the warm spring sunshine for a day in London. And at the end of the day there would be Veronica. She, of course, would have arrived whether their pretend engagement had been there or riot, but in Trudie
’
s mind so many good things were tied up together that she wanted to sing aloud.

Philip looked down at her, sensing her mood. It was all a new experience for him too, and suddenly he laughed aloud as he began to tell hereof his own return home the previous evening and of his giving the news to Foster.

“
I don
’
t know whether he was glad or sorry,
”
he continued.
“
I think he had visions of an early wedding date and of being told to take his notice as the new mistress of the house would like to run things her own way. I couldn
’
t tell him there were no plans for you to become
‘
the mistress
’
as he kept referring to you, not after I
’
d just announced our engagement. Instead I said there would be no changes for some time as we both wanted to make an outstanding success of the new extension before we even considered our private affairs. Don
’
t you think that was very tactful of me?
”

“
I certainly do,
”
Trudie agreed and laughed with him, but for some strange reason a chill seemed to have fallen over the day. She realized with a sharp pang the difficulty of pretending to the world that she and Philip were a normal engaged couple and pretending to him that her own feelings were as uninvolved as his.

“
We
’
ll lunch first,
”
Philip suggested as they reached London.
“
I know a decent little place. Chap there believes he owes his life to me. We met when he was on the operating table and he
’
s quite convinced he would have died had anyone else ministered to him. Has its advantages, as you
’
ll discover.
”

Philip was not boasting. The
“
chap,
”
Ian by name, could not do enough to please them. The restaurant itself was small but perfectly appointed, the food delicious, and the service excellent. By the time they had their coffee, Trudie, for the first time in her life, was feeling a little jealous of girls like Ursula who lived this kind of life all the time.

“
Ready?
”
Philip was smiling at her across the table, stubbing out his cigarette.
“
I suggest we look for a ring first, and then, unless you think it would be too cold, go for a trip down the river. I don
’
t think you should be walking about an awful lot as yet, however much Gustav
’
s work has helped your leg, but just as you wish, of course,
”
he ended considerately.

“
The river would be lovely,
”
Trudie agreed,
“
and we
’
re both adequately clothed for chilly breezes. I
’
m not keen on a shopping spree,
”
she admitted, but did
not add that on her nurses
’
pay she never had any excess for a really indulgent shopping bout without saving up for months first.
“
When I come here for the day I usually go to the zoo,
”
she said diffidently, wondering if he would think her childish, but instead he laughed.

“
I love the zoo, too,
”
he amazed her by saying,
“
but that
’
s out today
,
for the same reason as the shopping spree. We
’
ll come up again, when you
’
ve quite recovered. Once to shop and once or twice to the zoo. Right now the river is the easiest and the most pleasant way I can think of to spend the afternoon. But first things first.
”
He was piloting her from the restaurant after having paid his respects to Ian. Outside he hailed a taxi. He had parked the car and told Trudie he intended to use taxis until it was time to drive to the airport.

She sat beside him in the taxi feeling acutely nervous. Now that they were going to choose a ring she was suddenly afraid of the course she had taken. There seemed something so final about this last step in deception.

The taxi stopped outside a famous jeweler
’
s. Philip placed a firm hand under her elbow and guided her through the lovely, ornate doors. Inside a discreet salesman approached them, and Trudie stood silently by as Philip announced in a firm tone,
“
We would like to see some engagement rings, please ... to fit this young lady
’
s finger.
”
And as she made no move he gave her a gentle prod and said softly,
“
Hold out your hand, darling. Let him have some idea of the size.
”

T
he salesman smiled understandingly, and Trudie was annoyed to feel herself blush. How differently she would have felt and acted had this been a real engagement, had they been choosing together the ring they would guard for a lifetime.

“
When is your birthday?
”
Philip was saying beside her.
“
Do you know your birthstone?
”

“
My birthday
’
s just over,
”
she whispered back.
“
April
... and the stone is a sapphire, but it really doesn
’
t matter.
”

The salesman was helpful and deferential. He brought out tray after tray of the most beautiful rings Trudie had ever seen, but each time Philip asked for something
“
just a little better.
”
She began to be alarmed. There was no necessity in paying all that money for something she would wear just for—how long?—as long as Philip deemed it necessary, a few months, perhaps. Then some of its value would perhaps depreciate and there would be nothing left but a memory and a part-cash return for Philip or for herself.

“
It isn
’
t necessary to spend all that much,
”
she whispered when the man had retreated to fetch yet another tray, but Philip grinned down at her and whispered back,
“
It
’
s necessary to have the best. What will the others think, Matron and your father, everybody, if you go around wearing the kind of ring you could buy at a chain store?
”

He was right again, she reflected sadly. And again he was looking at this matter with more foresight and intelligence than she had done. She swallowed her feelings and began to take a real interest in the rings displayed. She was pretending now for all she was worth that this was not just a game—that they were choosing a ring because they really loved each other—because he loved her as deeply and sincerely as she held her secret love for him. After that it was a great deal easier to give her opinion and, finally, to make her choice.

They bought a very impressive ring, far more expensive than Trudie had ever dreamed of; a lovely sapphire as a centerpiece was surrounded by a cluster of beautiful diamonds. With an almost reverent air Philip placed the ring gently on her finger, and for one awful moment she thought he was about to kiss her again, right there in the store, but he drew back, smiling. The salesman smiled with him, bowing them out with obvious thoughts of the wedding ring to follow uppermost in his mind.

“
The river now,
”
Philip said masterfully,
“
and then a quiet cup of tea, then off to the airport. I consider we
’
ve planned this day out very well indeed.
”

It could not have been better, Trudie decided later as, the river excursion behind them, they sat together over tea. When he had first suggested accompanying her to town for the day and to meet Veronica, she had been very nervous: wondering what they would find to say to each other throughout a whole day, wondering just what sort of things one did find to say to someone like Philip Malham, hoping he would not find her poor company. But she had been agreeably surprised. They had discussed a number of things; plays, music, books, and discovered mutual tastes. They had shared their knowledge of London—most of it on Trudie
’
s part culled from books or magazines—and discussed the stories they had heard or read of the city.

They had discussed the new hospital extension and their hopes and fears concerning its future. To their shared delight they were in complete agreement in hoping that Dora Stacey would be allowed a block built onto the extension itself.

Altogether it had been an exhilarating and exciting day, and for Trudie, not the least part of it all was the thought Philip had given to her welfare. From Gustav
’
s visit early in the day, to the suggested trip on the river he had cared for her well-being, and she felt strangely cosseted and protected. It was a good feeling; almost, she thought wistfully, as though their engagement was real and he had really been taking care of her because she was precious to him, not simply as a duty or because he thought it would now be expected of him.

She stole a glance at his profile as he drove.
He
was watching the road ahead, his eyes absorbing every detail of the moving traffic, alert for any possible danger. All the same it seemed he had, in some way, sensed her scrutiny. For a moment he took his glance from the road to give a fleeting smile.

“
Don
’
t worry,
”
he said quietly.
“
We
’
re in plenty of time.
”

She could not tell him she had not even been thinking of Veronica, but after that she too looked ahead, anxious not to disconcert him or to give any false impressions.

They reached the airport in plenty of time, only to be informed that the flight had been delayed for three-quarters of an hour, and at Philip
’
s suggestion they went into the lounge for coffee. Now that the time for meeting her new sister-in-law was drawing so near, Trudie felt herself becoming unaccountably nervous. When Philip proffered his cigarette case this time she accepted with alacrity, inhaling deeply. Philip watched her for a moment, smoking his own cigarette peacefully, completely relaxed.

“
Steady,
”
he counselled, but his eyes were twinkling,
“
don
’
t eat it! You
’
re not a heavy smoker normally. Relax now and take it easy. You mustn
’
t meet her with your nerves strung tightly to begin with.
”

“
It
’
s because of Garth, you see.
”
Trudie tried to explain but the words would not come.
“
We are
... were so much alike. We disagreed on only a few things and when we did we were at really violently opposed points, always. If he
... liked Veronica enough to marry her; if he loved her, as he said he did, wrote he did, then I must like her too. It
’
s important. I want to know if she made him happy. I want to know so much, and I don
’
t know where to begin
...”

“
Let her talk first,
”
Philip advised.
“
I
’
m no psychiatrist, but I imagine that
’
s the way they work. Let her tell you about
... Garth. About their life together. You pick up the threads from there, but don
’
t forget,
”
he reminded her as the announcement came that the plane was arriving,
“
it must have been quite a blow for her as well as for you and the family. After all, she was his wife ... so let her down lightly at first, however much you want to know details.
”

“
I will,
”
Trudie promised, realizing the sense of his advice.
“
But it
’
s so important
... for Dad,
”
she ended lamely and knew she had failed to make him understand that she was half-afraid of meeting Veronica. As she had just tried to explain, when she and her twin had not seen eye to eye, it was because they were suddenly at opposite poles. She knew, therefore, that if she did not like Veronica then there would be no half measures; she would dislike her as much as, it seemed, her twin had loved her. That would be fatal so far as the peace of the family was concerned if Veronica was to be with them for any length of time.

Trudie
’
s first glimpse of Veronica as she left the plane was quite enough for her to recognize the woman.
“
She
’
s so lovely,
”
Garth had written,
“
you have to see her to believe it
’
s all true.
”
She did not need the identification of hair and suit, or the addition of the two lively children with whom Veronica appeared to be fast losing patience.

Trudie watched the tall, slender form in the expensive-looking black suit approach. There were
“
touches of white
”
on the suit, touches so cleverly placed by a skilled hand that they emphasized Veronica
’
s every possible good point, and, watching her, Trudie had to admit that at first sight the girl did not appear to have any bad ones.

Her jet black hair was indeed shoulder-length and framed an oval face, attractive itself in its creamy pallor; its red, strangely tempting mouth, even at a distance, seemed to be saying
“
kiss me.
”
Once Veronica was through customs and they were face to face, Trudie found herself looking into the most unusual eyes she had ever encountered: a lovely shade of green, with unexpected little flecks of gold in their depths, and framed by the long, heavy black lashes that looked too wonderful to be real
... but Trudie knew they were. Garth had written about them more than once.

“
And so you are Trudie?
”
Before she was really aware of what was about to happen Trudie was enveloped in a quick, warm, yet light embrace. A cool, scented cheek was laid on hers for a moment, and the red lips touched her face with a kiss as light as that of a butterfly, then Veronica was turning to Philip, a smile curving her lips.

“
And you are ... let me guess!
”
she began.
“
You don
’
t look like a research biochemist, nor a lawyer
...”

“
This is Dr. Malham,
”
Trudie said hastily,
“
Philip.
”

“
And Trudie
’
s
fianc
é
,
”
Philip put in, extending his hand and greeting the newcomer.
“
I came as part of the reception committee as I had a free day,
”
he explained.

“
How very kind,
”
Veronica murmured in low, husky tones but with every syllable so clearly enunciated that each word was distinct.
“
And do you live at The Cedars, too?
”
she queried, but there was no time to reply. The less stolid-looking of the two children was off on what was apparently to be a tour of investigation, and Veronica turned a helpless and bewildered glance upon Philip, appealing for his help.

“
I don
’
t know what to do with them,
”
she complained.
“
I almost wish I
’
d never said I would bring them over, but it did give me an opportunity to be with... the family, and so I came.
”

Before Philip had time to reply Trudie had darted forward, unmindful of the last time she had dashed out to save a child from serious accident or worse, and had collected the children, holding one firmly by each hand.

“
What happens to them now?
”
she demanded of Veronica.
“
Isn
’
t there anyone to meet them?
”

“
I
’
m to take a taxi and deliver them to this address.
”
Veronica opened her capacious purse and removed a small card.
“
Their mother said it would be about 20 minutes by taxi from the airport.
”

“
Then we
’
ll deliver them before we set off to Thrackwaite,
”
Philip announced.
“
Let
’
s get them in the car.
”

Trudie was never quite certain how it happened. One moment Philip was holding the front door open for her and asking her to
“
be careful you don
’
t knock your leg again,
”
the next moment, by some quick and unanticipated movement, Veronica was in that particular seat, apparently unaware of having made a wrong move as she settled herself comfortably. Over the children
’
s heads, Philip exchanged a rueful smile with Trudie and hesitated for a second or so, then said cheerfully,
“
Perhaps it would be better if you took charge of them for the remainder of the journey, Trudie? They do appear to be excited and rather a handful,
”
so she found herself in the back seat with an excited child on either side of her. Philip then slid behind the wheel and they began the journey home.

If Trudie had entertained any idea that Veronica would change places with her when they deposited the children, she was quickly disillusioned. As Philip halted the car outside an imposing-looking house, Veronica handed him the address card.

“
Mrs. Reubens,
”
she said simply.
“
Mrs. Simon Reubens. She
’
s their aunt.
”

“
I
’
ll see them to the door,
”
Philip promised, adding to Trudie,
“
Don
’
t bother to get out, dear,
”
and taking a child
’
s hand in each of his he escorted them to the door and rang the bell, beating a hurried retreat before the summons was answered to ask if there was
“
anything to report?
”

“
Not a thing,
”
Veronica told him laconically.
“
She
’
ll give you an envelope for me, that
’
s all. They were both sick, but nothing to worry about. I wouldn
’
t mention it; they
’
re all right now, and it may worry her.
”

A smart, uniformed maid Was waiting at the open door, and Philip nodded briefly to Veronica before marching his charges back again. A tall, well-built woman appeared at the maid
’
s side and handed Philip an envelope before ignoring him completely to stoop and take the children into her open arms. There was nothing more to be said or done. Philip said
“
Good evening,
”
turned on his heel and returned to the car. But if he, like Trudie, was surprised to find Veronica still sitting beside him he gave no sign.