"Probably Miss Jason's unexpected presence upset him?" Colonel Brenton suggested quietly. "You see, no man likes to appear at a disadvantage before a woman. It was different of course in hospital, but now he is up, I've no doubt he would have preferred her to delay her visit until he had completely returned to normal. Just think things over and see if you can change your mind." He lowered his voice at the sound of approaching footsteps on the flagged terrace and rose to his feet as Guy appeared at the top of the steps. "Here he is ... he mustn't think we've been discussing him!" Colonel Brenton raised his voice again and called to his son. "Come and sit down. Apparently you gave Nurse the slip this morning, she was thinking in terms of breakfast trays when you were already dressed and out!"
With a natural impulse, Felicity also stood and waited while Guy approached them. After a formal exchange of greeting and some desultory conversation, Colonel Brenton turned towards the door leading into the house. "You two stay out there for a bit, the sun's got a lot of warmth in it this morning, do you good, my boy! I've got some seed catalogues I must go through and I want to get the order off today."
As his tall figure disappeared into the house, Felicity deliberately seated herself by Guy Brenton's side and brought up the subject which was uppermost in her mind.
"I understand that Mr. MacFarlayne is coming down to remove your plaster tomorrow-the information came from your father. I feel it might have been better if it had come from you."
"Didn't I tell you?" The question was casual and if Felicity had expected to embarrass him with her direct statement, she was disappointed, he was entirely unperturbed. "Anyway, the information is quite correct."
"It would have been more courteous to tell me yourself," Felicity insisted, grateful for the air of detachment she had managed to instil into her voice, for despite his uncompromising attitude, she still longed for the easy-going friendship and understanding which had grown up between them while she had nursed him in hospital. Despite her annoyance at the casual way in which he had treated her, she wanted to sink her own feelings, to swallow her pride and disregarding all that had occurred, to; remain by his side.
Wholly unaware of his companion's emotions, Guy Brenton glanced casually at his watch. "Alaine not down yet?' We said we'd ride at eleven, didn't we?"
"Half past," Felicity replied curtly, then determined not to be so readily turned from her grievance, she went on, "Since you only thought you told me of Mr. MacFarlayne's decision"-she laid emphasis on the verb-"perhaps you'd be good enough to tell me your plans now. You haven't forgotten that I am returning to St Edwin's today?"
"Oh, of course, you did say something about that last night, didn't you?" His lips curved into a smile, one of those rare smiles which had gradually become a part of that new-found understanding and intimacy of the last weeks. It was certainly the first time he had relaxed in her presence since their arrival and refusing to allow herself to be too easily cajoled, Felicity deliberately ignored his more genial manner.
"You know perfectly well that I did!" she retorted with an angry flutter of her eyelashes which served to emphasize the deep blue colour of her eyes. "I am asking you what you propose to do about it-Mr. MacFarlayne will need assistance tomorrow-and you may need some too-anyway for the first day or two." She made no effort to conceal the satisfaction the reminder afforded her, then unable to resist a final thrust, added, "I doubt if Miss Jason will be very helpful when it comes to sterile dressings."
"I doubt if she'll be very helpful at any form of nursing," he agreed imperturbably, in fact a smile still played around his firm lips as he went on, "I hope you hadn't got too set on the idea of leaving today. After all, you've admitted yourself it won't be possible. I regret keeping you here against your will, but I'm afraid you'll have to postpone your departure-" He broke off at Felicity's stifled exclamation, then continued with an almost exaggerated air of apology, "I can't tell you how sorry I am, but I won't detain you a moment longer than necessary."
"I see." Felicity bit her lips to stem the torrent of angry words which threatened to escape. "I suppose that is an order-very well, I'll stay, since I have no option." She gripped her fingers tightly together to still their trembling and, forcing herself to turn to face him, tilted her chin arrogantly as she added, "If I am still in charge, then I insist that you allow me to refix that sling. If you intend riding this morning you'll need far more support for your arm than that, you'd better come up to your room and have it done properly."
Although she rose and moved towards the doors leading into the lounge, she knew he was following her and as she turned to mount the stairs, she had a fleeting glimpse of his amused expression. Hastening her steps, she threw open the door to his room; if he thought her a child to be coaxed and placated he'd find he was mistaken. He'd force her by his position of authority to remain, then she too, in her capacity of nurse, would have her way.
Felicity could certainly find no fault with Guy Brenton's attitude as he allowed her to refix his arm and button the riding jacket tightly across his chest as an additional support. "It's firmly held now but I still don't think too much cantering is advisable," she remarked as she gave a final adjustment to the sling.
Any response he may have made was interrupted by Alaine's sudden entry. "Oh ... hallo, Guy! Morning, Nurse! I'm sorry, Guy darling, I'm not ready." She stretched her arms languidly above her head, revealing the moulded lines of her figure beneath the clinging silk material of her dressing-gown. "I woke so late, I feel incredibly lazy, I suppose it's reaction, I've been working madly hard. Let's put off our ride until tomorrow!" She dropped her arms to her side and emitted a deep sigh. "I do hope you don't mind ... I see you're all ready ... still, we can go tomorrow instead, can't we?"
"Having struggled into breeches and jacket-and having submitted to have my arm trussed like a chicken-I think I'll go on my own. No, it doesn't matter one bit," he interrupted as Alaine began to reiterate her regrets.
"You can't go alone!" Felicity rapped out the words. "It's absurd, I refuse to allow it. If Miss Jason can't accompany you, then I shall!"
A ripple of incredulous laughter greeted Felicity's assertion. "What you go with him ... you surely don't mean that you can ride?" Alaine queried in unfeigned astonishment. "It seems so odd for a nurse ... I can't see how you have the opportunity for that sort of thing."
"I haven't," Felicity admitted quietly, but the thought of her riding-habit lying at the bottom of her suit-case gave her considerable satisfaction. How she and Diana had laughed and argued about packing it at all; it had been pushed to the back of her cupboard for so long that she had almost forgotten its existence until Diana had unearthed it. When she had first left Somerset she had been reluctant to discard it, almost unworn, a product of a Savile Row tailor; perhaps after all, that long ago weakness was now to be justified, she wondered as she waited for what seemed an interminable time for Guy Brenton to speak.
"Accompany me by all means if you'd care to." His tone was indifferent but even in his expression Felicity was sure that he too showed a look of surprise. "It's rough going, are you sure you are up to it?" he added, and this time there was no mistaking the note of mistrust in his voice.
"If you can manage with one arm then I'm pretty sure I can with two." There was an air of suppressed animation in Felicity's whole poise as she turned towards the door. The circumstances of the promised ride, the tenseness of the atmosphere, none of those things seemed to count, only the joy of anticipation, the prospect that she could indulge once again in a sport she had always loved. At the door she paused to add, "I'll be down in ten minutes, I'll have to change. Diana ... that is Nurse Weste ... made me bring riding-kit-I didn't want to, but I'm very glad now."