yRing for the Nurse(32)
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 moved 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 mean 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 which Alaine'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 that 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 fooling 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, perhaps 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.
Leaving the bedroom together the two girls walked down the wide stairway to the hall. "I can't think of you as a nurse any more," Alaine admitted. "Especially now I've seen you out of that impossible uniform."