Kit Cavendish-Private Nurse (9 page)

If only Mrs. Baylis was going to be away for a month.
Kit thought regretfully,
so that they would have time to get things really fixed up! Oh well, perhaps it wouldn’t really be true love if everything ran smoothly!

And with this philosophical thought, she left Sue to her dreams.

Later in the day—a particularly lovely one full of the promise of spring—Kit took Mr. Baylis out for a drive.

It was delightful. Since Kit had returned to Ravenslea she had done a lot of walking, but this was the first time she had been able to go a longer distance, and she made the most of it, particularly as Mr. Baylis left the choice of the route to her.

Kit turned off short of the village along the road that skirted the base of Flack Hill. Being so near to it brought back memories of the other day when she had shared her picnic lunch with Jason and the barrier between them had begun to weaken. But she wondered if that would continue to happen. Since she had met him in Minsterbury, she had not heard from him, and though she of all people knew just how busy a man in his position could be, she wished that he had contacted her in some way. Perhaps she had discouraged him too much. And yet it was after that he had said that he would not let her go out of his life without a struggle. She gave a little sigh of relief.

“Enjoying yourself?” Mr. Baylis asked.

“Yes, I am,” Kit said firmly, then gave all her attention to
the beautiful
scenery they were passing. Flat it might be, but there was a lushness about it that delighted Kit. It was so full of promise for the future. One simply could not be downhearted or apprehensive.

They found a farmhouse where they were able to have tea and then, regretfully, turned toward home.

“That’s done me a power of good,” Mr. Baylis said contentedly. “It’s been ages since I had homemade bread.”

“Me too,” Kit agreed.

They talked little on the way back, but suddenly, Mr. Baylis leaned forward.

“That chap we just passed,” he said urgently. “I’m sure I recognized him. Do you mind stopping?”

As the man reached them, Mr. Baylis wound the window down and leaned out.

“Hi, Jack, what are you doing here at this time? Off sick, like me?”

For a moment the man—he was rather more than middle-aged and his face was grim and unsmiling—seemed uncertain what to do. Then he came slowly to the side of the car.

“No,” he said heavily, “I’m not sick. I’m out of work.”

“You’re what!” Mr. Baylis almost shouted.

“Out of work,” the man repeated doggedly, lifted his hat and began to walk away from the car.

“Hi, Jack, come back!” Mr. Baylis called after him. “You and I have to have a talk!”

Reluctantly the man returned.

“There’s nothing to say.”

“Oh, isn’t there?” Mr. Baylis said grimly. He turned to Kit. “Nurse, you’ll be doing me a great favor if you’ll leave us alone for a bit. Would you mind?”

Kit looked doubtful, but the last thing she wanted to do was anger him by refusing.

“Very well,” she agreed reluctantly. “But—” she laid a hand on his arm “—you will remember, won’t you?”

He patted her hand kindly.

“Yes, I’ll remember, my dear.”

For what seemed the longest quarter of an hour she’d ever passed, Kit searched the hedgerows for spring flowers and, to her delight, found several courageous primroses. Birds were busy building their nests—one hen bird, she found, was already sitting. But interested though she was, she took care to remain within easy calling distance, and it was with relief that she heard Mr. Baylis call her. When she returned, he was alone and the man he had been talking to had resumed his walk. Was it her imagination, Kit wondered, or was the man walking now with his shoulders braced and his head in the air? He certainly gave that impression. But she had no time to spare for him. All her attention was concentrated on Mr. Baylis. His face was very stern and his color was not too good.

“It’s all right, Nurse,” he assured her in answer to her anxious look. “I admit I’ve had some bad news, and yet, in a way, it’s almost a relief. I know now what I have to do. Let’s get home, shall we?” For the rest of the day he was in a very preoccupied frame of mind, and though he agreed, at Kit’s suggestion, to have his evening meal in his room, he insisted that she ask Noel to come and see him afterward.

“And
you will please not tell him what happened today, Nurse,” he said with quiet authority. “Nor will you phone up either Grainger or Heathfield. I accept fully the responsibility for my own actions. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand,” Kit told him. “But I’m very worried.”

“You’re a kind person,” he said quietly. “But sometimes in a man’s life he comes face to face with something he must do—something only he can do. And on such occasions, he is always given the strength to do them. You must believe me when I tell you that this is one of those occasions.”

And with that, Kit had to be content. But when Noel came out of his father’s room, he came straight to her.

“Nurse, don’t think I’m trying to teach you your job,” he said so seriously that Kit’s heart missed a beat, “but I think it would be a good idea if you and I took turns tonight staying awake. How about it?”

“Yes,” Kit accepted thankfully. “Mr. Baylis, I don’t want to pry into private affairs, but I can’t help knowing that he has had a shock. Have you ... have you had to add to that?”

“Yes,” Noel said heavily. “I tried to stall, but he insisted.” He paused and shook his head. “You know, I’ve always loved the old man, but I never realized before just what a man he is. He’s taken something on the chin today that would have floored many a lesser fellow. But he’s standing up to it.”

“He told me that there are times in a man’s life when something happens that he and he alone can deal with, and that when that happens, he is always given the strength to do it,” Kit told him.

“He said that, did he?” Noel sighed. “Well, I hope to heaven he’s right. But what scares me is what reaction he’ll have after he’s done what he intends doing.”

“I know,” Kit admitted. “That’s what’s worrying me. There’s only one thing..
”
She frowned thoughtfully.

“Yes?”

“This afternoon, after he had been talking with that man he called Jack, he said that while it was true that he had had bad news, in a way it was a relief. He knew now what he had to do.”

Noel looked at her sharply.

“He said that, did he? Does that suggest to you, as it does to me, that what he was told was confirmation of something he had already guessed?”

“That was what I read into it,” agreed Kit.
“And
if so, though the confirmation was still a shock, it wasn’t as bad as it would have been had it been a complete surprise.”

“Yes,” Noel deliberated. “I wish to heaven he’d let me send for Grainger or Heathfield. but he’s adamant. I see his point, of course. Well, there it is. How shall we divide our watch?”

“I think it would be better if I took first duty,” Kit suggested.
“You
see, your father is used to seeing me about until quite late and I do think it would be better if he didn’t realize what we’re doing.”

“Agreed. He’d refuse to allow it.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Noel’s face relaxed for the first time. “I’ll just tell Sue what’s going on and then I’ll turn in. Be seeing you!”

He sketched a salute and went off. And Kit, worried though she was, heaved a sigh of relief.

This was still another Noel Baylis that she was seeing. One who was neither frivolous nor moody, but who was a man on whom she—and even more important, his father—could rely. That, at least, was something to the good.

CHAPTER NINE

To Kit’s utter relief, the night passed uneventfully. Mr. Baylis took a rather long time falling asleep, but apart from that, he had a completely restful night, as Noel confirmed when he knocked gently on her door at half-past six. Kit, already up and dressed, sighed thankfully.

“That’s the first hurdle passed,” she said. “If only he’ll take it quietly today.”

“He won’t,” Noel told her bluntly. “I’m afraid you have to accept that, Nurse. He’s planning to have two visitors, and nothing short of an earthquake is going to stop him. However, whether he likes it or not, I’m going to give Heathfield a call—Grainger’s down with flu, Sue tells me. Shall I let you know what he says?”

“Oh, yes!” Kit said fervently. “Only, don’t ask for me, because I might be with your father and that would make him wonder since I don’t usually receive telephone calls. Tell Sue and she can find an opportunity of passing on the message.”

With a nod Noel went off to get ready for work, and Kit slipped into the sitting room. There was no sound from the bedroom, and it was not until half an hour later that Mr. Baylis stirred. Kit went to him and he looked up in surprise.

“Hello. You’re early,” he commented.

“I didn’t sleep very well,” Kit told him.

A fleeting grin, oddly reminiscent of Noel’s, passed over Mr. Baylis’s face.

“Serve you right for worrying about me,” he told her. “Now, I slept like a top!”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Kit said cheerfully. “Now, as you’re awake, would you like your breakfast early, or shall we leave it until the usual time?”

“Oh now, by all means,” Mr. Baylis said. “But I won’t get up until later. No, nothing wrong,” he said in response to her quick look. “But I’m going to have two visitors today, and just to keep you from worrying, I intend showing you how sensible I am.”

“When are your visitors coming?” Kit asked resignedly.

“One at eleven,” Mr. Baylis explained, “The other some time this afternoon. Not quite sure when.”

As the morning wore on, Kit became increasingly anxious. No message had come from Noel, and when at last it did come just before eleven o’clock, she was not greatly surprised to hear that Noel had not been able to get Jason because he had a heavy operating schedule at the hospital. There was nothing that could be done about it, but when, just before the hour, Victor arrived, Kit felt it was the last straw.

Nor was she reassured by Victor’s manner. It was clear at a glance that he was a very worried man.

“Kit, what’s all this about?” he demanded in an anxious undertone as she led the way upstairs. “I had a peremptory message that I was to be here at eleven, but was given no reason. What’s the old man up to?”

“I’ve no idea,” Kit assured him. “I didn’t even know you were coming.”

“I wish to heaven I had some inkling. Are you sure he hasn’t said anything to you?”

“No, he hasn’t” Kit said flatly. “But whatever it is, Victor, do try to be a bit more sensible than you were the last time. We don’t want a repetition of that.”

Unwillingly Victor tapped at the door and went in. For almost an hour Kit sat on the top stair, out of earshot, but instantly ready for a summons. But it did not come. She could hear the two men’s voices, mostly Victor’s, with an occasional interruption from Mr. Baylis. Then the door opened and Victor came out. Kit stood up, but he did not appear to see her. Brushing past her, he stumbled down the stairs, gray-faced and looking suddenly years older.

Kit waited a moment or two, and then went quietly in to her patient. He was sitting in his armchair and gazing out the window at his beautiful garden.

As Kit came to his side he turned, and she thought she had never seen so much sadness in a face before. And yet, at the same time, there was tranquillity there—the tranquillity of a man who, though he may be overwhelmed by events, is nonetheless master of himself. He even managed to smile at Kit.

During the
afternoon
, Tom Fleming arrived. He, too, stayed for about an hour, and when he had gone, Mr. Baylis admitted that he felt tired and needed little persuasion to go back to bed. But still he assured Kit that there was no need to worry.

“I’ll be the most docile patient you ever had now,” he promised. “I’ve done what I had to ... and my mind is at rest!”

Kit smiled in response, but she could not help remembering what Noel had said the night before.

“...After he’s done what he intends, what about reaction then?” Would Mr. Baylis feel that now there was no need to make an effort and slip quietly out of life? Kit had seen such things happen before and she was afraid. She had just decided that another attempt must be made to get in touch with Jason when a car drove up and Jason climbed out. Kit met him at the door and led him to the study.

“Oh, Jason, I’m glad to see you!” she said fervently.

“Sorry I couldn’t dome before, but I’ve been at it all day. Didn’t get your message until an hour or so ago. What’s happened?”

Kit told him all she knew, and Jason nodded.

“Yes, I should say without doubt, this is it! A showdown. Tell me exactly what his condition is.”

“His pulse is quite good and his temperature is normal,” Kit told him. “He’s tired—he admitted that. But otherwise, he seems quite normal except that he’s so very, very quiet. Almost, one might say, resigned.”

“Hm,” Jason commented. “Yes, that could be bad. I’ll have a look at him. I think perhaps it might be an idea if I went alone, Kit. He might talk to another man where he’d feel it was weakness to talk to a woman.”

When he came down, there was an awed expression on his face. “I wish I could be sure that if ever I’m up against it as he is, I’d be able to show half his courage,” he told Kit. “He’s a marvel! He didn’t go into details, but he made it clear that he’s had the shock of a lifetime. But that, he insists, is behind him now. It’s evident that he has made some decision and is convinced that it’s the right one. What’s more, he has every intention of carrying on. The way he put it was, ‘I’ve every intention of living, Heathfield, because I know that I shall be needed for as long as possible.’ I don’t think you need worry, Kit.”

“I’m glad,” Kit whispered, very near tears. “I know one is always told it’s unwise to get fond of patients, but sometimes you just can’t help it.”

“And this is one of them,” Jason agreed sympathetically. “He’s a fine old boy—and incidentally, Kit, he spoke as warmly of you as you have of him. Well, we’ll just have to do our best for him. When is Mrs. Baylis coming home?”

“Four or five days from now,” Kit told him. “Sooner than she thought, actually.”

“Hm. I wonder if things have gone as she hoped?” Jason pondered. “It could make a lot of difference.”

“I think we shall know the moment she comes into the house,” Kit replied, then sighed. “You can’t think how different it’s been here since she’s been away, Jason. It’s been a real home instead of just a very
well-run
house. Oh dear!”

“A real home,” Jason repeated slowly. “That’s something I fancy you know more about than I do, Kit. You see, my parents died when I was quite young, and no matter how good other people are—and I was lucky that way—I don’t think it can be quite the same.”

“No, I don’t expect it can be,” Kit agreed sympathetically.

Jason took her hand in his and raised it gently to his lips. “You would be a wonderful homemaker, Kit,” he said deliberately.

“I hope so ... one day,” Kit said tremulously.

“One day,” Jason echoed, and left her to have a word with Noel.

Kit had been quite right. It was clear from the moment Mrs. Baylis stepped foot in the house how things had gone on her trip. She was, in fact, in a coldly angry frame of mind because she knew, quite well, that she had not scored the triumph she had been so convinced would be hers. This she put down to the stupid prejudice of the men she had met against dealing with women in executive positions, but whatever the reason, the result had been that they had hemmed and hawed and raised points it had been impossible to give answers to then and there. So she had come back without the contracts she had anticipated.

To Mr. Baylis she made light of the matter.

“Just a few odd details to be cleared up,” she told him. “Nothing of any importance. Incidentally, they were very much impressed by the machines we sent to France last year. In fact, that’s why they’ve come to us. So really, it’s a feather in your cap, darling, because you dealt with that.”

Just as she had hoped, her husband appeared to have been diverted from asking any awkward questions about the delay by the compliment she had paid him. He smiled, but made no comment.

“And now, darling, tell me all about yourself,” she went on eagerly. “How are you feeling?”

“Much stronger,” he told her, “I really do feel I’m on the mend now, Ruth.”

“Good!” she smiled with every appearance of pleasure. “I’ve been rather worried that you might try to do too much.”

“No more than I’ve needed to, my dear,” Mr. Baylis assured her. Ruth looked at him sharply. Surely there was something a little odd in the way he had worded that remark? One could, if one wished, read almost anything into it.

“And
you’ve been properly looked after?” she asked anxiously. “No one has been slack because I wasn’t here?”

“Not a bit. Both Nurse Cavendish and Sue have done everything possible to make me comfortable. And Noel has given me a lot of his time in the evening.”

“Good.” This time she found it difficult to reply with any conviction. Really, need Ralph have made it quite so clear that not only had he been quite comfortable, but also that he had not really missed her? Anyone would think that all she had done for him really counted for very little. Sue and Nurse Cavendish ingratiating themselves with him so that it would be difficult now to keep them in their proper places, Noel, who had always disliked his father’s second marriage, getting into his good books...

She stood up.

“I’d better unpack,” she said shortly. “Everything is absolutely higgledy-piggledy in my cases. The customs people were quite idiotic...
”

“Oh, before you go, there’s just one thing,” Mr. Baylis remarked. “About little Sue—”

“What about her?” Ruth asked sharply.

“Simply I believe I was right and you were wrong about her and Noel,” Mr. Baylis explained. “Anyway, he’s taken her out a couple of times in the past few days, and they both seem to have enjoyed themselves thoroughly.”

“Oh, I see.” Ruth did not sound particularly interested. “Well, don’t jump to conclusions too soon, darling. It really wouldn’t be fair.”

“Not fair? To whom?” Mr. Baylis wanted to know.

“To both Sue and Noel,” Mrs. Baylis explained gravely. “Oh, don’t you see, if we take too much for granted there’s a danger that Sue may do the same. I don’t want her to break her heart, nor do I want Noel to feel that he has to marry her because we expect it.”

“I don’t think Noel would be so spineless as to marry anyone for that reason,” Mr. Baylis said quietly. “It’s far more likely that it would be because he’s becoming more and more attracted to Sue. And no wonder. She’s a very lovely girl.”

Ruth stared at him in amazement. Lovely was the last word she would have thought of applying to her niece. Insignificant, shy to the point of stupidity, and with a face that very few people would remember once they had left her. All those things, yes. But lovely, never. Just what had been going on in her absence?

She pulled herself together.

“Of course, if you’re right, I hope that will be the reason. But I can’t help feeling anxious. After all, she is my niece, and propinquity can play some queer tricks, you know.”

“I don’t think you need worry that anything we do will make any difference,” Mr. Baylis told her, taking up his book. “Young people in love have a way of managing their own affairs, you know. Older ones, too. We did, you remember.”

Ruth shrugged and went to her own room. Really, Ralph must be entering his dotage! After all that she had gone through in the past ten days, this was the final straw! Really, if he had said any more, she would have screamed!

Dinner that evening was not such a happy affair as it had been during Ruth’s absence, but to her there appeared to be a very great change from what she was used to. And she resented it.

Noel, of course, was largely to blame. Sue had her meals with them because Ralph insisted on it. But in the past she had always sat silently at meals, hardly looking up from her plate. Now, in answer to Noel’s sallies, her face would light up and even, now and again, she would reply with a humor that Ruth found completely out of place in a penniless dependent.

And Nurse Cavendish was just as bad. It was for her, Ruth, or of course Ralph, to initiate topics of conversation. But no one else seemed to realize that. Nurse Cavendish started talking about Ravenslea as it used to be—as if anyone was interested—and worse than that, it really seemed as if she was doing her best to draw Sue out. And worst of all, Ralph seemed to be enjoying it all.

Something would have to be done, but what?

A few evenings later Noel seized an opportunity to have a quiet word with Kit.

“Come out into the garden for a minute or two,” he urged. “I have something to tell you; in fact, I’ll burst if I don’t tell someone!”

Kit hesitated. Mr. and Mrs. Baylis were watching television, Sue was still busy with some small duty or other that Ruth had found for her. There was really no reason she should not do as Noel wished—and yet she could not feel really at ease about it.