Read Online Kit Cavendish-Private Nurse by Margaret Malcolm - Free Book Online Page B

tells me,” Mr. Baylis said, looking more cheerful. “And of course she’s right. What’s more, though there’s not much room for sentiment in business, I’ve always felt I owed a duty to the people who work for me. It’s odd, you know, the way power has changed hands,” he went on reflectively. “In the old days, even to some extent when I was a youngster, it was in the hands of the landed proprietors, people with titles, most likely, and I’ve no doubt they felt it was their job to l ook after the people on their estate, much the same as I do now. Yet a great many of them have had to sell their land, and here am I, who started out with nothing, taking their place in a way. Yes, it’s certainly odd.”
    He smiled rather doubtfully at Kit as if he was not quite sure of her understanding him and then returned to his book. But somehow Kit was left with the feeling that if only she could work it out, Mr. Baylis had given her the key to the problem that perplexed Noel. But the more she tried to discover what it was, the more it evaded her. So at last she resolved to put the matter aside, though not without wishing that there was someone whose advice and reassurance she could seek. Her father, had he been at hand. Or, even better because he would be able to appreciate her point of view, Jason. But that was not possible in the meantime. Jason was attending a medical conference in Copenhagen and would not be back until the following week. There was nothing to do but wait, for it did not occur to her that had she repeated Mr. Baylis’s remarks to Noel, he might have perceived their significance as she could not.
    A few days later Mr. Baylis brought up the question of Noel entering the firm. He and his wife were alone together at the time as Noel had driven Sue into Minsterbury to do some shopping, and Ruth had told Kit that there was no need for her to stay as she herself would be in all afternoon.
    “If you’re really quite sure... ” Kit said doubtfully.
    Nurse Stoke had left and Kit had not expected to have more than an odd hour that day.
    “Quite, thank you, Nurse,” Ruth said crisply, and then, as if she realized she had sounded a little ungracious, added, “You mustn’t be offended, Nurse, when I say that we do enjoy being on our own together. Since I have to be away so much during the week, I do like to make the most of every opportunity.”
    Her face softened into a wistful smile as she spoke, and Kit responded with instant sympathy.
    “Yes, of course you do, Mrs. Baylis,” she agreed. “I’ll prepare the dose of medicine that Mr. Baylis is to take at four o’clock, and that, apart from tea, is all that’s necessary.” She hesitated momentarily. “Oh, there is just one other thing... ”
    “Yes, Nurse?” Ruth asked pleasantly.
    “If, by any chance, Mr. Baylis’s condition should worry you at all,” Kit said, choosing her words very carefully, “you’ll find some capsules in the medicine chest. I’ll show you where they are.”
    She did so, and Ruth read the directions carefully.
    “I see. I crumple up a handkerchief, put the capsule into it and break it. Then I hold the handkerchief to my husband’s nose for him to breathe in the vapor. Quite simple ... though naturally, I sincerely hope I won’t have to do it.”
    “Yes, of course,” Kit agreed and went off to change.
    Ruth went back to her husband.
    “I’ve sent Nurse Cavendish out for a few hours,” she told him smilingly. “She’s a nice girl, but I do like it when we’re on our own!”
    He put out his hand and took hers.
    “So do I, my dear, though I feel I’m being selfish. After all, you work all week and then devote your free hours to an invalid. You ought to have more freedom yourself, you know.”
    Ruth rubbed her cheek against his gray hair.
    “You know, at times you really are rather dim, darling,” she said softly. “Hasn’t it dawned on you yet that I’d rather be with you than anywhere else?”
    Mr. Baylis